HomeOhioAurora › Aurora Sanctuary State Nature Preserve

Aurora Sanctuary State Nature Preserve

4.6 ★★★★★ 40 Google reviews · Running trail in Aurora, Ohio · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Loop distance
2 mi
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Aurora Sanctuary State Nature Preserve's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

2 miLoopScenicTrailhead parking

What runners say about Aurora Sanctuary State Nature Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (40 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 8 mentions

“Absolutely beautiful trail and very secluded, but not maintained much with LOTS of poison ivy.”

Beautiful park. Today there were lots of downed and uprooted trees from a recent windstorm. Trail has been cleared. I wish people would stop spray painting the blind though.

★★★★★ — Rachel , Jan 2018

This place is absolutely amazing. When you pull into the parking lot the trail will be to the left. Go down that trail when you come upon a sign that has three color trails. They all loop so adventure on.

★★★★★ — Nick , Oct 2019

Beautiful low-key park with minimal trail impact and a very natural feel.

★★★★★ — Nick , Oct 2020

This is a great place to get away from crowds. Not the best signage, but only three main trails that seem to have blazes for you to follow, for the most part. The red trail is significantly high grass in areas, borderline uncomfortable to hike in a few spots. Take a stick or pole. Please don't wear shorts.

★★★★☆ — Sandra , Sep 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 40 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 9 mentions

“Absolutely beautiful trail and very secluded, but not maintained much with LOTS of poison ivy.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

“When you pull into the parking lot the trail will be to the left.”

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🔁 Loop trail 2 mentions

“We hiked the red loop until it reached a pond.”

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Plan your run at Aurora Sanctuary State Nature Preserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • Loop distance2 mi back to where you parked
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • Websitenaturepreserves.ohiodnr.gov
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 8:30 AM–4 PM
Tuesday 8:30 AM–4 PM
Wednesday 8:30 AM–4 PM
Thursday 8:30 AM–4 PM
Friday 8:30 AM–4 PM
Saturday 8:30 AM–4 PM
Sunday 8:30 AM–4 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Aurora Sanctuary State Nature Preserve

891 E Pioneer Trail, Aurora, OH 44202

Get directions

Running trails near Aurora

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Bretschneider Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 6 reviews

Aurora, OH

Natural surface

under a mile away

Sunny Lake Park - North End

4.7 ★★★★★ 126 reviews

Aurora, OH

LoopPavedScenicDog-friendly

Scenic municipal park featuring disc golf, paved trails, and a lake for paddling.

under a mile away

Aurora Sunny Lake Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 753 reviews

Aurora, OH

PavedScenicDog-friendly

Clean, serene park with a walking path around a lake plus paddling and row boats.

1.0 miles away

Paddock River Preserve

4.6 ★★★★★ 55 reviews

Aurora, OH

MixedScenic

1.1 miles away

Townline Trails Farm

4.5 ★★★★★ 35 reviews

Aurora, OH

Scenic

1.2 miles away

Aurora Parks & Recreation Department

4.9 ★★★★★ 18 reviews

Aurora, OH

1.9 miles away

All running trails in Aurora, OH →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.