HomePennsylvaniaAllentown › Canal Park

Canal Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 463 Google reviews · Running trail in Allentown, Pennsylvania · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Canal 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.

Open 24hRestroomsTrailhead parkingQuiet

Fishing is popular at this recreation area on the Lehigh River with a picnic pavilion & boat launch.

What runners say about Canal Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (463 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 4 mentions

“I really enjoy riding bike in this trail, it is very well maintained, the people you come across are friendly and keep their distance.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 3 mentions

“Beautiful and so peaceful.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 7 mentions

“Nice to walk next to the canal and the river, very peaceful majority of the time.”

We were here early because of heat it was quiet and peaceful. Excellent tow path walk.

★★★★★ — Susan , Jul 2024

I really enjoy riding bike in this trail, it is very well maintained, the people you come across are friendly and keep their distance. Everyone follows road rules so its very easy to navigate, even when there's others walking. Theres parking , benches along the way, and of coarse the water.

★★★★★ — Elizabeth , Jun 2020

Nice easy bike ride from canal park down to the boat launch in Easton. The trail is generally well kept with only a couple areas that could use some attention.

★★★★☆ — Robert , May 2025

One of my favorite parks in Allentown. Nice to walk next to the canal and the river, very peaceful majority of the time. However, lately, as of the past year, there has been a odd mentally disturbed woman on the trail constantly she harasses walkers and bikers the city really needs to send somebody out here for this.

★★★★☆ — Zachary , May 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 463 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.

🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 7 mentions

“Nice to walk next to the canal and the river, very peaceful majority of the time.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 6 mentions

“Theres parking , benches along the way, and of coarse the water.”

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🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

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Plan your run at Canal Park

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.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • Websiteallentownpa.gov
  • Phone(610) 437-7628

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 Canal Park

101 E Walnut St, Allentown, PA 18109

Get directions

Running trails near Allentown

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

Walking Purchase Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 42 reviews

Allentown, PA

Scenic

Park with opportunities for hiking and mountain biking, as well as good options for kids.

under a mile away

Trout Creek Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 452 reviews

Allentown, PA

Recreation area with a playground, grills, and a creek, plus basketball courts and trails.

1.1 miles away

Walking Purchase Park

5 ★★★★★ 3 reviews

Bethlehem, PA

1.2 miles away

Lehigh Mountain Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 82 reviews

Allentown, PA

Dog-friendly

Park featuring archery and a hill trail popular with mountain bikers, as well as dog walkers.

1.9 miles away

Jordan Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 913 reviews

Whitehall Township, PA

Scenic

Relaxed, tree-filled park with an outdoor swimming pool & picnic grove, plus various sports fields.

2.1 miles away

South Mountain Big Rock Park

3.9 ★★★★☆ 127 reviews

Allentown, PA

Scenic

Dense forest with hiking trails, named for its massive, towering natural rock formation.

2.3 miles away

All running trails in Allentown, PA →

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.