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Chautauqua Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 186 Google reviews · Running trail in Erie, Pennsylvania · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Chautauqua 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.
Park featuring a picnic pavilion, hiking trails, a beach, and waterfall, plus hunting.
What runners say about Chautauqua Park
“Words alone fall too short to say how happy I am that this park exists, and how beautiful it is.”
“This is a little quiet place to just sit and watch the sunset or just to watch the waves roll in.”
The view of the lake is breathtaking! It's one of those rare local secret treasures. So rare in fact that even most residents born and raised in Erie don't seem to know it exists. You can climb down to the water, but be forewarned. The climb is not a paved or constructed stairwell or path.
This is a little quiet place to just sit and watch the sunset or just to watch the waves roll in. You can also take the trail down the hillside to the water and go fishing or hunt for beach glass or just get your toes wet on the waters edge.
Someone wrote “tiny waterfall” it’s actually a decent size. About 10-15 feet tall and a good 12-17 feet wide. It has a nice drop and is rarely dry. You have to climb down the side of the drop to the beach to see it or view from the top at the trail.
I used to reside in the neighborhood and visited there frequently. It has become a bit of a pleased to gather to drink beer, which is quite annoying at night. I wish they would do something about that. If you want to go down there to walk a dog or go down to the lake, you have to pass a bunch of drunks.
Trail conditions & character
“Words alone fall too short to say how happy I am that this park exists, and how beautiful it is.”
“You have to climb down the side of the drop to the beach to see it or view from the top at the trail.”
“This is a little quiet place to just sit and watch the sunset or just to watch the waves roll in.”
“If you want to go down there to walk a dog or go down to the lake, you have to pass a bunch of drunks.”
Plan your run at Chautauqua 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.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–10 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am–10 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–10 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am–10 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–10 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am–10 pm |
| Sunday | 7 am–10 pm |
Running trails near Erie
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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