HomeIowaIndianola › Barker Park

Barker Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 67 Google reviews · Running trail in Indianola, Iowa · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Barker Park'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.

Dog-friendlyWater

Playground with slides, swings and a sand area, plus a picnic area and a BBQ grill.

What runners say about Barker Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (67 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 4 mentions

“Small but clean with a fair amount of options.”

This is a cute, little Park. It is rather small, but it has nice equipment and a little hill/field for kiddos to run around in. The playsets seemed to be kept up nicely. There is also a water fountain which is great for hot days! There is also a decent sized shelter but I didn't think to take pictures of it.

★★★★★ — Kristina , Aug 2021

My kids love to play at the park. This is one of their favorites! We like to grab some A&W and have a little picnic. There's a ple space for any activities and there are currently soccer nets up. Place to ride a scooter or walk a dog. Shelter can be reserved. There is a port-a-potty.

★★★★★ — Thomas , May 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 67 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.

🐕 Dog-friendly 3 mentions

“Place to ride a scooter or walk a dog.”

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🚰 Water fountains 2 mentions

“Small but clean shelter, half basketball court, water fountain, grill, and porta-jon.”

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Plan your run at Barker Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadwater — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websiteindianolaiowa.gov
  • Phone+1 515-961-9420

Hours

Monday 6 am–10 pm
Tuesday 6 am–10 pm
Wednesday 6 am–10 pm
Thursday 6 am–10 pm
Friday 6 am–10 pm
Saturday 6 am–10 pm
Sunday 6 am–10 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 Barker Park

401 S 1st St, Indianola, IA 50125

Get directions

Running trails near Indianola

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

DeNelsky Park

4.1 ★★★★☆ 25 reviews

Indianola, IA

Dog-friendly

under a mile away

McVay/Summerset Trail Head

4.8 ★★★★★ 32 reviews

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Crushed gravelShadedScenicDog-friendly

under a mile away

Buxton Park Arboretum

4.8 ★★★★★ 163 reviews

Indianola, IA

ScenicDog-friendly

Park with benches and a fountain at the edge of a college campus, plus playground equipment.

under a mile away

Moats Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 222 reviews

Indianola, IA

Dog-friendly

Park offering a playground, picnic areas, grills, and basketball courts, plus a public restroom.

under a mile away

Easton Park

3.9 ★★★★☆ 19 reviews

Indianola, IA

Dog-friendly

under a mile away

McCord Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 92 reviews

Indianola, IA

ShadedDog-friendly

Park featuring playgrounds for big and small kids plus soccer fields and a basketball court.

1.3 miles away

All running trails in Indianola, IA →

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.