HomeMississippiGulfport › Clower-Thornton Nature Trail

Clower-Thornton Nature Trail

4.4 ★★★★☆ 173 Google reviews · Running trail in Gulfport, Mississippi · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Clower-Thornton Nature Trail'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.

MixedLoopShadedLit at nightScenicDog-friendlyQuiet

What runners say about Clower-Thornton Nature Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (173 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 breeze blows through all along the "trail", which is actually paved, and the entire park is extremely well-maintained by the city of Gulfport.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 4 mentions

“Beautiful area a little scary if u walk full circle after dark could also use a a bench on nature side ,other then that love it”

🌳 shaded & cool 5 mentions

“Half of it has lights along the path;the other half is a shady tree lined path with a few bridges over the stream.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 6 mentions

“Peaceful most of the time but I still can't figure out why they cut down so many trees on a nature trail last time I checked trees are definitely classified as nature 🤷🏽”

Small 1.3 mile trail, just perfect for a nice walk. Half of it has lights along the path;the other half is a shady tree lined path with a few bridges over the stream. There are benches along the lit path. Very nice use of space. Thanks Gulfport.

★★★★★ — Cathy , Mar 2020

A really nice trail, a pretty decent length and there's some nice flowers and wildlife along the way. There's also turtles and different birds to spot.

★★★★★ — That , Oct 2023

Beautiful area a little scary if u walk full circle after dark could also use a a bench on nature side ,other then that love it

★★★★☆ — Brandy , Mar 2022

Peaceful most of the time but I still can't figure out why they cut down so many trees on a nature trail last time I checked trees are definitely classified as nature 🤷🏽

★★★★★ — Kenneth , Apr 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 173 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.

🛣️ Paved surface 6 mentions

“The breeze blows through all along the "trail", which is actually paved, and the entire park is extremely well-maintained by the city of Gulfport.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 6 mentions

“Peaceful most of the time but I still can't figure out why they cut down so many trees on a nature trail last time I checked trees are definitely classified as nature 🤷🏽”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 5 mentions

“Half of it has lights along the path;the other half is a shady tree lined path with a few bridges over the stream.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 4 mentions

“Beautiful area a little scary if u walk full circle after dark could also use a a bench on nature side ,other then that love it”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 4 mentions

“Pet friendly with a children’s park located at the back of the trail.”

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💡 Lit for night running 3 mentions

“Half of it has lights along the path;the other half is a shady tree lined path with a few bridges over the stream.”

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🪵 Boardwalk

“Defiantly not a hike and because of sharp turns on boardwalk area it's not to great for bike riding.”

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🔁 Loop trail 2 mentions

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Plan your run at Clower-Thornton Nature Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • 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
  • LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Phone+1 228-539-0267

Hours

Monday 6:30 am–10:30 pm
Tuesday 6:30 am–10:30 pm
Wednesday 6:30 am–10:30 pm
Thursday 6:30 am–10:30 pm
Friday 6:30 am–10:30 pm
Saturday 6:30 am–10:30 pm
Sunday 6:30 am–10:30 pm

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 Clower-Thornton Nature Trail

244-298 E Railroad St, Gulfport, MS 39507

Get directions

Running trails near Gulfport

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

Clower-Thornton Nature Area

4.8 ★★★★★ 16 reviews

Gulfport, MS

Loop

under a mile away

Clower Thornton Nature Trail

4.5 ★★★★★ 29 reviews

Gulfport, MS

under a mile away

Brickyard Bayou Bike Park

2.3 ★★☆☆☆ 23 reviews

Gulfport, MS

ScenicDog-friendly

1.2 miles away

Owen T Palmer Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 107 reviews

Gulfport, MS

Lit

Recreation area offering a playground, a tennis court, a walking track, and picnic tables.

1.3 miles away

Jones Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,010 reviews

Gulfport, MS

LitScenicDog-friendly

Park near a harbor, featuring a beach and a marina, plus a light show.

2.2 miles away

James Hill Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 255 reviews

Gulfport, MS

LoopMixedScenicDog-friendly

Pet-friendly bayou preserve featuring a boardwalk for bird-watching and fishing.

3.1 miles away

All running trails in Gulfport, MS →

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.