HomeTexasLittle Elm › Beard Park

Beard Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 553 Google reviews · Running trail in Little Elm, Texas · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Beard 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.

ShadedLit at nightRestroomsWaterTrailhead parking

Lakefront park with a nature-themed playground, wakeboarding/aquatic park, picnic area & trails.

What runners say about Beard Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (553 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 4 mentions

“All three jungle gym areas worked well, clean.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 3 mentions

“This section of the trail is more scenic and less crowded but very sunny.”

🌳 shaded & cool 3 mentions

“Only downside is the proximity to a wooded area that, while it provides shade, also provides the mosquitos shady protection.”

All three jungle gym areas worked well, clean. Little to no shade, but really really fun place for the kids. This was a great place for an impromptu picnic with the kids. Plenty of places to sit. The trees helped have a wonderful breeze. The walking trail was really nice and relatively clean.

★★★★★ — Stacy , Jul 2021

Great place to start Lakeshore Trail hike. Lots of parking and real, unlocked restrooms. This section of the trail is more scenic and less crowded but very sunny. Bring lots of water.

★★★★★ — Kenneth , May 2020

My toddlers favorite playground! Lots of climbing areas, several slides for different ages, spread out Enough to play tag or hide and seek, and walking trails.

★★★★★ — Jeanette , Dec 2024

Little Elm is a halfway point for us when visiting. We love this park to sit and visit while the kids play. There is a covered pavilion with 4 fairly large picnic tables. There are also hiking/bicycle trails behind the park.

★★★★★ — Eve , Jun 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 553 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.

🌳 Shaded / tree cover 4 mentions

“Only downside is the proximity to a wooded area that, while it provides shade, also provides the mosquitos shady protection.”

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🚻 Restrooms 4 mentions

“Good parking and a bathroom on site is very convenient.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

“Good parking and a bathroom on site is very convenient.”

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💡 Lit for night running 2 mentions

“It's so well lit and off a busy street that it's perfect for those still hot summer nights!”

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🚰 Water fountains

“A great music garden, water fountain and restroom.”

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Plan your run at Beard 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.
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
  • Websitelittleelm.org
  • Phone+1 972-731-3296

Hours

Monday 8 am–9 pm
Tuesday 8 am–9 pm
Wednesday 8 am–9 pm
Thursday 8 am–9 pm
Friday 8 am–9 pm
Saturday 8 am–9 pm
Sunday 8 am–9 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 Beard Park

310 E Eldorado Pkwy, Little Elm, TX 75068

Get directions

Running trails near Little Elm

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

Lakefront Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 15 reviews

Little Elm, TX

Crushed gravelScenic

under a mile away

Johnny Broyles Nature Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 143 reviews

Little Elm, TX

LoopMixedShadedScenic

Park with a paved hiking trail leading to a playground, plus volleyball.

under a mile away

Little Elm Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 5,609 reviews

Little Elm, TX

LitScenicDog-friendly

Beachfront park offering swimming, athletic fields, hiking trails, picnicking & a playground.

under a mile away

Cottonwood Park Nature Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 27 reviews

Little Elm, TX

LoopScenic

1.0 miles away

Cottonwood Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 39 reviews

Little Elm, TX

MixedLitScenic

1.4 miles away

Doe Branch Park

3.8 ★★★★☆ 61 reviews

Little Elm, TX

Natural surface

Park with kid-friendly hikes, plus a trail and opportunities for walking, nature viewing, and boating.

1.5 miles away

All running trails in Little Elm, TX →

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.