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Dakota Nature Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 457 Google reviews · Running trail in Brookings, South Dakota · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Dakota Nature 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.
Formerly a landfill site, this undeveloped park is now a naturalistic area for wildlife observation.
What runners say about Dakota Nature Park
“Nice visitor’s center with clean modern bathrooms, and lots of gravel side trails, too.”
“My wife and I visited the park on a Thursday morning and we both noted how peaceful and beautiful this park is.”
“My wife and I visited the park on a Thursday morning and we both noted how peaceful and beautiful this park is.”
Good place for walking, cycling and boating! Far from crowd! There’s a indoor activity center. You can also rent kayaks, canoes, snow boots, fishing rod etc. Visited again after 4 years. Still amazing, clean and peaceful!
Lovely, well-kept walking trails that go for miles. Very quiet and secluded.
Great place to take a walk or short hike. You can also drop a line in one of the ponds and catch a fish or two. They have various classes in the visitor center throughout the week/month.
This was a great place for a graduation reception that we attended. The room was more than adequate with long serving counter, sink, refrigerator and separate exit to the outdoor area. The staff was friendly and very helpful. There are trails around the area. We walked a short trail and it took about 10 mins.
Trail conditions & character
“My wife and I visited the park on a Thursday morning and we both noted how peaceful and beautiful this park is.”
“My wife and I visited the park on a Thursday morning and we both noted how peaceful and beautiful this park is.”
“The paved paths get to hot and they need to be able to walk in the grass.”
“Nice visitor’s center with clean modern bathrooms, and lots of gravel side trails, too.”
Plan your run at Dakota Nature Park
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.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitecityofbrookings.org
- Phone+1 605-693-2233
- Social Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–11 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–11 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–11 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–11 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–11 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–11 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–11 pm |
Running trails near Brookings
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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