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Carlson Oxbow Park
4.2 ★★★★☆ 276 Google reviews · Running trail in Hammond, Indiana · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Boardwalk
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Carlson Oxbow 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.
Peaceful nature retreat on the Little Calumet River with a boardwalk, fishing pier & boat launch.
What runners say about Carlson Oxbow Park
“The boardwalks, paths an gazebos are well maintained and the nature is worth the walk!”
“It was a beautiful path, bigger than we thought.”
“There is a dock on the river walk and you can watch a peaceful sunset with your significant other.”
I found this a delight to walk. It has a variety of wildlife. I saw a lot of wildlife. Dog friendly park.
Always a nice place to walk and just enjoy the scenery. Explore nature and find different animals. Very peaceful and never more than a few people be there at a time the times we went. I wish they'd do a better job with some of the trails, you can't go through a couple of them.
It was a nice day in December so we wanted to take our pups somewhere new. It was a beautiful path, bigger than we thought. We saw two white tail deer.
The front of the park can be a bit unassuming and perhaps leave you questioning if it’s even worth it to walk in with the way the parking lot is however once you walk into the reeds the whole perspective changes, it is beautiful and peaceful.
Trail conditions & character
“There is a dock on the river walk and you can watch a peaceful sunset with your significant other.”
“It was a beautiful path, bigger than we thought.”
Plan your run at Carlson Oxbow Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceBoardwalk — flat and scenic, and slick when wet, so watch your footing
- 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
- 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.
- Websitegohammond.com
- Phone+1 219-853-6378
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Sunday | 7 am–8 pm |
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