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Canyon Lake Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,078 Google reviews · Running trail in Rapid City, South Dakota · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Canyon Lake 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.
Relaxed park area featuring a lake with ducks & geese, picnic areas, a toddler playground & gazebo.
What runners say about Canyon Lake Park
“The playgrounds are well maintained, one can accommodate small and large kids and the other is a lot smaller (and by a bathroom).”
“It was a sad trip but was made bearable by the beautiful views and peaceful surroundings.”
“If you follow the path across the bridge to the very end section there is another path area that's in a shaded portion along Rapid Creek which is fun to explore.”
“It was a sad trip but was made bearable by the beautiful views and peaceful surroundings.”
Fun for the whole family right in town. Nice walking paths, fishing for the kiddos and benches for moms to relax and take it all in. Great shelters to reserve for parties/get togethers.
We live really close to canyon lake Park and have been going there since we were little kids. It's probably the nicest park within Rapid City, they have really good play areas for little kids and they have really good picnic areas for birthday parties and such.
One of the best parks in the city. It has it all. Plenty of grass (best maintained out of every Park) and play area space with grills that are scattered around for any picnics you may choose. A lake that is stocked with trout with plenty of geese and ducks that are never far away.
Canyon Lake Park is one of my favorite places to walk. The path all around makes it easy! My wife and I also live to stop near the creek and listen to the water. Other awesome things are the open spaces for picnics and gatherings, playgrounds for the kids, swings for the kids at heart (shoe throwing contest anyone?
Trail conditions & character
“It was a sad trip but was made bearable by the beautiful views and peaceful surroundings.”
“Bathrooms are located throughout, although some are not open year round.”
“If you follow the path across the bridge to the very end section there is another path area that's in a shaded portion along Rapid Creek which is fun to explore.”
Plan your run at Canyon Lake Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- 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 trailheadrestrooms, water — reported by runners
- Websitercgov.org
- Phone+1 605-394-4175
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–10 pm |
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