HomeNevadaSparks › Cottonwood Park

Cottonwood Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 449 Google reviews · Running trail in Sparks, Nevada · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Cottonwood 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.

Dog-friendlyRestroomsTrailhead parking

Long, riverfront park with picnic tables and a playground, plus bike and running trails.

What runners say about Cottonwood Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (449 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 6 mentions

“Good fishing spot, street parking, playground, not super busy and pretty clean.”

This was a nice little park right along the Truckee river. We were in Reno to take our son for his new job and school and before we left town wanted to see some of the places around town. We grabbed some Texas Roadhouse for dinner and drove here to eat and enjoy the weather and scenery.

★★★★★ — Wayne , Jul 2025

Usually pretty peacefull when I go and not many dogs so I feel comfortable having mine off the leash most of the time she can swim in the river and there is shade in the grass for us to play fetch

★★★★★ — Derrick , Aug 2025

Had a great time doing some community service there. Hope those who use the bike/running path appreciates all the wood chips we spread.

★★★★★ — Will , May 2026

Nice place to walk dogs... Easy bicycle path... Many places to pucnic.. Great fishing access...

★★★★★ — Diana , May 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 449 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.

🚻 Restrooms 5 mentions

“Nice place wish they leave bathroom open year round or put porta pottys in”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking

“Good fishing spot, street parking, playground, not super busy and pretty clean.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 6 mentions

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Plan your run at Cottonwood 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.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitecityofsparks.us
  • Phone+1 775-353-5555
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 6 am–9 pm
Tuesday 6 am–9 pm
Wednesday 6 am–9 pm
Thursday 6 am–9 pm
Friday 6 am–9 pm
Saturday 6 am–9 pm
Sunday 6 am–9 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 Cottonwood Park

777 Spice Islands Dr, Sparks, NV 89431

Get directions

Running trails near Sparks

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

Tahoe-Pyramid Bikeway

4.3 ★★★★☆ 17 reviews

Sparks, NV

Paved

under a mile away

Rosewood Nature Study Area

4.2 ★★★★☆ 42 reviews

Reno, NV

4 miLoopMixedScenic

1.0 miles away

Hidden Valley Regional Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 394 reviews

Reno, NV

2 miLoopScenicDog-friendly

Public park offering a children's playground and picnic areas, as well as tennis and pickleball courts.

1.8 miles away

Rock Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 551 reviews

Sparks, NV

ScenicDog-friendly

Waterfront spot featuring a playground for kids, shady trees and grassy spaces for picnics.

1.9 miles away

Poulakidas Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 188 reviews

Sparks, NV

ShadedLitDog-friendly

Park with a playground and a handball court as well as grassy areas and picnic tables.

2.0 miles away

Gateway Park

3.8 ★★★★☆ 41 reviews

Sparks, NV

2.1 miles away

All running trails in Sparks, NV →

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.