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Burnt Mills East Special Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 261 Google reviews · Running trail in Silver Spring, Maryland · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Distance
12.9 mi
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Burnt Mills East Special 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.

Natural surface12.9 miScenicDog-friendlyStroller / ADATrailhead parkingMile markers

Humble, 2-plus acre local park featuring an extensive trail, a creek, parking & more.

What runners say about Burnt Mills East Special Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (261 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 10 mentions

“Beautiful park and when I read that it was one of Teddy Roosevelt's favorite places I understood why.”

🪧 well-marked 2 mentions

“Lovely moderate walking/hiking trail, accessible, rich in biodiversity and well marked and maintained.”

Just Stunning! This park is an absolute must visit. The walking meditation was surreal. Park is clean and maintained well. There is parking available on both sides of route 29. While there are 2 ways to go from the main entrance, you can get to the river either way you go.

★★★★★ — Camille , May 2023

I loved this park! Trails were well marked, wide, suitable for bikes, hikers, and hikers with dogs. The Northwest trail offers a variety of river views and fallen logs. I thought this park was a sweet find. We chose to walk 4 miles but you could choose to walk more or less!

★★★★★ — Donna , Aug 2022

Great place to hike. Tons of places to get in the water. If you get to the highway then turn back it's only about 2 and half miles. Moderate hike some rocks so small children be warned. It was a fun hike with plenty of dogs and folks.

★★★★★ — Mike , Jun 2023

Very beautiful park. I would have liked to walk the trail but it was unpaved and i was by myself so my mind started playing mind tricks. So i left.

★★★★★ — Ruralafrican , Jun 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 261 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 16 mentions

“Beautiful park and when I read that it was one of Teddy Roosevelt's favorite places I understood why.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 7 mentions

“We had gone to Trader Joe's but saw the little park on the map so we took the very short walk from the parking lot down there.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 3 mentions

“Noticed some people allowing their dogs to go in the river, just remember, it says no swimming for a reason.”

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📏 Mile markers 3 mentions

“Lovely moderate walking/hiking trail, accessible, rich in biodiversity and well marked and maintained.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 2 mentions

“Might be a bit arduous for new hikers who aren't used to high stepping to avoid rocks, roots, dips, etc.”

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🏃 Long-run distance (5mi+) 2 mentions

“5 miles on the blue trail and back.”

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Stroller / ADA accessible

“Lovely moderate walking/hiking trail, accessible, rich in biodiversity and well marked and maintained.”

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Plan your run at Burnt Mills East Special Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • Distance12.9 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • 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.
  • Websitemontgomeryparks.org
  • Phone(301) 495-2525
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 6:30 AM–9:30 PM
Tuesday 6:30 AM–9:30 PM
Wednesday 6 AM–9 PM
Thursday 6 AM–9 PM
Friday 6:30 AM–9:30 PM
Saturday 6 AM–9 PM
Sunday 6:30 AM–9:30 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 Burnt Mills East Special Park

10701 Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20901

Get directions

Running trails near Silver Spring

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

Northwest Branch Trail

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Mixed

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Sligo Creek Stream Valley Park

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PavedLitScenicDog-friendly

A paved biking trail with bridges over a creek runs through this wooded park with many playgrounds.

1.9 miles away

Sligo Cabin Neighborhood Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 56 reviews

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Park with a playground, slides, and jogging trails.

2.1 miles away

Houston-Sligo Creek Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 74 reviews

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Park with a splashy creek and a jungle gym, plus shaded picnic areas.

2.9 miles away

Takoma-Piney Branch Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 162 reviews

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Natural surfaceDog-friendly

This 17-acre neighborhood green space has sport courts & fields, a skate park, playgrounds & more.

3.2 miles away

Becca Lilly Neighborhood Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 42 reviews

Takoma Park, MD

3.4 miles away

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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.