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Cambridge Common

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,236 Google reviews · Running trail in Cambridge, Massachusetts · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Cambridge Common'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.

Open 24hLit at nightScenicTrailhead parking

A site of Revolutionary War history, this park now has fields, bike paths & a creative playground.

What runners say about Cambridge Common

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (1,236 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“The park was clean and had a mix of families, students, tourists, and people exercising.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 9 mentions

“Beautiful park & playground full of so much history on the campus of Harvard University!”

It's a good park. Could use a lot less grass and more native plants. Not something I would normally knock a park for, but 1: Cambridge knows better and can afford to make the switch and we 2: due to its shape and the paths through it, it has a lot of areas that are too small to be usable for, say, playing catch with a…

★★★★☆ — Mike , Aug 2025

Cambridge Common is a very historic and beautiful common to visit. It is plenty big with lots of walking space. The historical plaques and sites here are quite worth seeing!

★★★★★ — George , Aug 2023

Beautiful public park for walking and recreation while also a remarkable tribute and historic site marking the heart of the American Revolution and where Washington first took command of the revolutionary army. Special bonus is the new monument for the African American soldiers who fought and died in the revolution.

★★★★★ — Kevin , Jun 2021

Awesome park to the Public to gain knowledge and simply relax in the heart of Harvard Square 👍 UPDATE : I had went there last night while I was bike riding, on my Standard Peddle Bike and I would not recommend walking through during the night due to lack of light within the Park 🏞️ itself 😕.

★★★★★ — Joseph , Aug 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 1,236 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 10 mentions

“Beautiful park & playground full of so much history on the campus of Harvard University!”

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💡 Lit for night running 2 mentions

“We enjoyed a candle light concert with an Adele repertoire.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking

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Plan your run at Cambridge Common

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both 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.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • 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 — reported by runners
  • Websitecambridgema.gov
  • Phone(617) 349-4639
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

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 Cambridge Common

Waterhouse St & Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

Get directions

Running trails near Cambridge

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

Wheeler Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 35 reviews

Cambridge, MA

under a mile away

Danehy Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,266 reviews

Cambridge, MA

ScenicDog-friendly

50-acre green space with activities such as softball & soccer, plus paths for jogging & a dog park.

1.1 miles away

Charles River Reservation

4.7 ★★★★★ 620 reviews

Boston, MA

PavedScenic

This urban park located along the river features paved paths for walking, running & skating.

1.1 miles away

Fresh Pond Reservation

4.8 ★★★★★ 821 reviews

Cambridge, MA

LoopScenicDog-friendly

Popular spot for spotting wetland birds & deer with wooded walking routes around a tranquil pond.

1.3 miles away

Somerville Community Path

4.8 ★★★★★ 47 reviews

Somerville, MA

1.3 miles away

Seven Hills Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 102 reviews

Somerville, MA

Park in Davis Square with a bike path, open space, and music, good for kids.

1.4 miles away

All running trails in Cambridge, MA →

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.