HomeMinnesotaMinneapolis › Columbia Park

Columbia Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 156 Google reviews · Running trail in Minneapolis, Minnesota · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Columbia 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.

Natural surfaceShadedScenicDog-friendlyHillyRestroomsWaterTrailhead parking

What runners say about Columbia Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (156 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 5 mentions

“There are great, well-marked, walking and biking trails around the park, as well as a great view of the Minneapolis skyline from the northern parkway.”

I like to hike in the woods, and there is no place to do that at this park. There is a playground, a picnic shelter with 2 gendered bathrooms, picnic tables scattered around on a hill, tennis courts in disrepair, soccer fields, a place to play horseshoes, paved paths partly in the shade, and a stand of trees with a…

★★★★☆ — Rachel , Jul 2019

*** ALERT *** Just seen not only 2 deer (including an 8 point buck) but A GIANT WHITE & light gray WOLF (8/26/2024 @7:20pm) !! It was chasing the deer. Back in beyond the wooded dog park side. Across from the driving range- in between the dog park & the archery range.

★★★★★ — Floor , Aug 2024

Columbia Park and Golf Course is a good place to walk around. The North West corner has been dug up due to a need to slow the water erosion. It's interesting to see the work being done. We walked the trails, enjoying the sun and some wind. Spring is on the rebound !

★★★★☆ — Timothy , May 2021

It was a beautiful day to play in the park. Nice hill to challenge skills, a horse shoe box, picnic shelters and playgrounds. And yes poke gyms and poke stops!!! This is a very large park with a lot of trail. I will be back for more😊

★★★★★ — Nanette , Apr 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 156 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.

🏞️ Scenic views 8 mentions

“There are great, well-marked, walking and biking trails around the park, as well as a great view of the Minneapolis skyline from the northern parkway.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 6 mentions

“There are two separate parking areas for the picnic area, another by the driving range and dog park, and about three parking spaces near the archery range.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 6 mentions

“The public dog park on the south west corner is never too busy and there is a picnic area on the north side with a large jungle gym structure.”

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🚻 Restrooms 5 mentions

“Picnic area was great size, I appreciated the indoor bathrooms.”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 3 mentions

“A great small but scenic, wooded, hilly park with a big picnic shelter, many picnic tables, grills, and plenty of parking.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 3 mentions

“A great small but scenic, wooded, hilly park with a big picnic shelter, many picnic tables, grills, and plenty of parking.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack

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🚰 Water fountains

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Plan your run at Columbia Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • 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 trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websiteminneapolisparks.org
  • Phone(612) 230-6400
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

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

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 Columbia Park

800 Columbia Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55418

Get directions

Running trails near Minneapolis

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

Deming Heights Park

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Relaxed park featuring winding footpaths and benches as well as picnic tables.

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LaBelle Park

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Prestemon Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 106 reviews

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Natural surface

Woodchip-covered playground featuring slides, swings, basketball hoops, baseball fields, and picnic tables.

1.3 miles away

Keyes Park

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Lit

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Shingle Creek Falls in Webber Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 88 reviews

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Picnic tables and playground at a park, also featuring a waterfall that's part of walking trails along a creek.

1.7 miles away

Silver Lake Beach Park

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Shallow shoreline, plus a playground and a park featuring sculptures and trails.

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All running trails in Minneapolis, MN →

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.