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Ballenger Creek Trail
4.4 ★★★★☆ 60 Google reviews · Running trail in Frederick, Maryland · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- 4.2 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Ballenger Creek Trail'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.
Tree-lined, paved trail stretching more than 3 miles, good for biking, walking and wildlife watching.
What runners say about Ballenger Creek Trail
“The Parks Department keeps the trail well maintained and mowed along the sides.”
“Great for walking, running and easy bike rides.”
“It's paved, 10 feet wide, nearly flat, often shaded, and very peaceful, following along the meandering Ballenger Creek.”
“it's fairly easy to navigate and you can walk, run or ride a bike.”
About 3 miles of wide paved rolling trail (not counting the side walks along Bellenger Creek Rd). I hope they continue along the creek to the park. Nice tree canopy on the Eastern side. Still very open on the western side. Some nice bridges. Even has a bike work station. Great for walking, running and easy bike rides.
Very nice trail, well maintained. Lots of shady areas for an enjoyable walk or ride. The bike repair center at the parking lot was a very nice addition if you have problems while you're biking.
We are big fans of this 4.2 mile completed section of trail, and look forward to the next phase of completion under construction up to the Ballenger Creek Park. It's paved, 10 feet wide, nearly flat, often shaded, and very peaceful, following along the meandering Ballenger Creek.
This is a nice, double wide trail through a residential area. The trail technically starts at Ballenger Creek park, at mile 0 marker. There are a multitude of places to pick up the trail, but public access (not at an existing residential community) is located at Ballenger Creek park (mile marker 0) or the small car…
Trail conditions & character
“The bike repair center at the parking lot was a very nice addition if you have problems while you're biking.”
“This is an amazing paved trail that starts near Ballenger Creek Park (Ballenger Creek Pike) and concludes in Westview near Buckeystown Pike.”
“It's paved, 10 feet wide, nearly flat, often shaded, and very peaceful, following along the meandering Ballenger Creek.”
“Wonderful paved trail to bike or take your dog on(i clean up after mine).”
“The trail technically starts at Ballenger Creek park, at mile 0 marker.”
“It's paved, 10 feet wide, nearly flat, often shaded, and very peaceful, following along the meandering Ballenger Creek.”
Plan your run at Ballenger Creek Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- Distance4.2 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websiterecreater.com
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Sunday | 7 am–8 pm |
Running trails near Frederick
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Ballenger Creek Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 7 reviews
Ballenger Creek Trail
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Ballenger Creek Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,140 reviews
Public green space featuring athletic fields, lots of play equipment & picnic areas with grills.
Monocacy National Battlefield | Thomas Farm Loop Trail
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