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Ben Burton Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 830 Google reviews · Running trail in Athens, Georgia · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Crushed gravel
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Ben Burton 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.
Small riverside park with wooded hiking trails suitable for dogs, plus a ramp for kayaks & canoes.
What runners say about Ben Burton Park
“There's trails to walk, plenty of picnic space, a shelter area with picnic tables, good and clean bathroom facilities and much wildlife.”
“And river is beautiful and peaceful to walk by and there also a creek which have small waterfalls which is amazing.”
“And river is beautiful and peaceful to walk by and there also a creek which have small waterfalls which is amazing.”
I brought my daughter and our dog out here to walk around one afternoon since we just moved into the area. The park had ample parking despite there being several other cars parked here already. There was a pleasant little road to walk down with ample area to let our dog run free and play around in the water.
This is such a nice little gem within the city of Athens. There's trails to walk, plenty of picnic space, a shelter area with picnic tables, good and clean bathroom facilities and much wildlife. I've come several times now and plan to return more. It's a good place for a hike and to test yourself on some of the trails.
Beautiful park on the river. The walk along the river is beautiful, and if you get too hot, you can take a dip and cool off!
This was a lovely hike next to a river and up through the woods. My children really wanted to wade in the water but because there are sewage pipes above some of the creek wading spots and manholes that smell bad, we figured it probably wasn't safe to go in the water.
Trail conditions & character
“And river is beautiful and peaceful to walk by and there also a creek which have small waterfalls which is amazing.”
“There are bathrooms, a 911 call box, picnic tables, a couple pavilions and walking trails that are nice and would definitely be nice to walk your dog!”
“The park had ample parking despite there being several other cars parked here already.”
“There are bathrooms, a 911 call box, picnic tables, a couple pavilions and walking trails that are nice and would definitely be nice to walk your dog!”
“And river is beautiful and peaceful to walk by and there also a creek which have small waterfalls which is amazing.”
“Wide and the canopy along the paths give the right amount of shade.”
“It’s time to add a little gravel to the walkway as it can turn into mud pretty quickly.”
Plan your run at Ben Burton Park
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceCrushed gravel — the rail-trail classic: softer than asphalt, still smooth enough for tempo work
- 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
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websiteaccgov.com
- Phone+1 706-613-3620
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6:45 am–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 6:45 am–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 6:45 am–9 pm |
| Thursday | 6:45 am–9 pm |
| Friday | 6:45 am–9 pm |
| Saturday | 6:45 am–9 pm |
| Sunday | 6:45 am–9 pm |
Running trails near Athens
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Pulaski Heights Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 5 reviews
North Oconee River Greenway
4.6 ★★★★★ 300 reviews
A 3.5-mi. paved path for non-motorized use, connecting to parks, a nature center & 3 trails.
Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 457 reviews
Woodlands, wetlands & a historic cabin on 225 acres, plus visitors' center for interactive exhibits.
