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Cottonwood Trail
4.6 ★★★★★ 5 Google reviews · Running trail in Merced, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Cottonwood 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.
What runners say about Cottonwood Trail
This area has a parking lot, a 1.5 mile walking trail, several benches, picnic tables, and a large viewing platform. It is across from the Homen Dairy and just East of the main Merced Wildlife Refuge area. I came on a Sunday afternoon in February and was the only one here. I saw several redtail hawks.
Plan your run at Cottonwood Trail
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.
- Websitefws.gov
- Phone+1 209-826-3508
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–5:15 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am–5:15 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–5:15 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am–5:15 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–5:15 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am–5:15 pm |
| Sunday | 7 am–5:15 pm |
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