Home › Indiana › New Paris › Benton Dam ‒ River Preserve County Park

Benton Dam ‒ River Preserve County Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 82 Google reviews · Running trail in New Paris, Indiana · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface: Not reported
Distance: 2.5 mi
Shape: Not reported
Shade: Not reported
Access: Posted hours

Confirmed from Benton Dam ‒ River Preserve County 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.

Benton Dam ‒ River Preserve County Park — running trail in New Paris, IN, photo 1

Benton Dam ‒ River Preserve County Park — running trail in New Paris, IN, photo 2

Benton Dam ‒ River Preserve County Park — running trail in New Paris, IN, photo 3

Benton Dam ‒ River Preserve County Park — running trail in New Paris, IN, photo 4

Benton Dam ‒ River Preserve County Park — running trail in New Paris, IN, photo 5

2.5 miScenicRestroomsTrailhead parkingQuiet

Trails and green space in a nature preserve, plus a hydro-dam canal, kayaking and fishing spots.

What runners say about Benton Dam ‒ River Preserve County Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (82 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 8 mentions

“They have hiking trails or places in the back that you can go swimming beautiful place nature”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 3 mentions

“Beautiful scenery and nice quiet place to fish”

They have hiking trails or places in the back that you can go swimming beautiful place nature

★★★★★ — Allison , Jul 2023

So beautiful in the snow. Great long walk with water views along the way.

★★★★★ — Kristin , Jan 2019

Great little park!! Trails along the River and Old Hydro Dam canal. Very nice area for a walk , site seeing and fishing.

★★★★★ — Donald , Mar 2019

Nice park. Miles of trails. Great fishing. Nice place for birthday party. Plenty of open green space for playing games

★★★★★ — Curtis , Apr 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 82 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 
“They have hiking trails or places in the back that you can go swimming beautiful place nature”
More trails like this →
 🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 3 mentions 
“Beautiful scenery and nice quiet place to fish”
More trails like this →
 🚻 Restrooms  
More trails like this →
 🅿️ Trailhead parking  
More trails like this →

Plan your run at Benton Dam ‒ River Preserve County Park

The practical stuff

AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
Distance2.5 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
Websiteelkhartcountyparks.org
Phone+1 574-535-6458
Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday	9 am–8 pm
Tuesday	9 am–8 pm
Wednesday	9 am–8 pm
Thursday	9 am–8 pm
Friday	9 am–8 pm
Saturday	9 am–8 pm
Sunday	9 am–8 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 Benton Dam ‒ River Preserve County Park

68552 Co Rd 31, New Paris, IN 46553

Get directions

Running trails near New Paris

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

Benton Spillway ‒ River Preserve County Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 77 reviews

Goshen, IN

2.5 miScenicDog-friendly

Nature preserve featuring trails for hiking and biking, plus fishing and picnic areas.

under a mile away

Wayne Wogoman Welcome Center, Fidler Pond Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 23 reviews

Goshen, IN

MixedLitScenicDog-friendly

Park with swinging benches & a walking trail around a large pond, plus boat & fishing pole rentals.

5.3 miles away

Fidler Pond Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 389 reviews

Goshen, IN

1.5 miMixedLitScenic

Popular park that features a pond with a 1- to 1.5-mile path for walking, biking or running around it.

5.3 miles away

Shoup-Parsons Woods Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 176 reviews

Goshen, IN

MixedLitScenic

Scenic park along the Elkhart River offering hiking and biking trails as well as fishing.

5.4 miles away

Millrace Park

5 ★★★★★ 4 reviews

Goshen, IN

6.1 miles away

Abshire Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 318 reviews

Goshen, IN

PavedScenic

Public park featuring picnic areas, a restroom, and a trailhead for the Pumpkinvine Trail.

6.5 miles away

All running trails in New Paris, IN →

Nearby towns

Running trails in Goshen, IN (11 trails)
Running trails in Leesburg, IN (1 trail)
Running trails in Bristol, IN (1 trail)
Running trails in Elkhart, IN (8 trails)
Running trails in Warsaw, IN (5 trails)
Running trails in Wolcottville, IN (1 trail)
Running trails in Winona Lake, IN (2 trails)
Running trails in Mishawaka, IN (11 trails)

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.