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Dalton Lake Nature Preserve

4.2 ★★★★☆ 12 Google reviews · Running trail in St Helens, Oregon · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Crushed gravel
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Not reported

Confirmed from Dalton Lake Nature Preserve'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.

Dalton Lake Nature Preserve — running trail in St Helens, OR, photo 1
Dalton Lake Nature Preserve — running trail in St Helens, OR, photo 2
Dalton Lake Nature Preserve — running trail in St Helens, OR, photo 3
Dalton Lake Nature Preserve — running trail in St Helens, OR, photo 4
Dalton Lake Nature Preserve — running trail in St Helens, OR, photo 5
Crushed gravel

What runners say about Dalton Lake Nature Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (12 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

Great City nature trail and wildlife preserve, quiet and well maintained bike trail.

★★★★★ — Nick , Apr 2025

We visit here a couple times a week to walk it’s beautiful and easy for kids. Scooters and bike friendly

★★★★★ — Jennica , Oct 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 12 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.

🪨 Crushed gravel / limestone 2 mentions

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Dalton Lake Nature Preserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • SurfaceCrushed gravel — the rail-trail classic: softer than asphalt, still smooth enough for tempo work
  • 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.

Where to find Dalton Lake Nature Preserve

St Helens, Oregon

Get directions

Running trails near St Helens

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

Sand Island Marine Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 125 reviews

St Helens, OR

Scenic

31.7-acre offshore park with docks, nature trails, beaches, picnic tables, campsites & restrooms.

1.0 miles away

Nob Hill Nature Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 75 reviews

St Helens, OR

Crushed gravelScenicDog-friendly

Wooded park featuring hiking trails and a river view.

1.6 miles away

McCormick Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 879 reviews

St Helens, OR

Dog-friendly

Park showcasing a disc golf course with challenging holes as well as baseball fields.

1.9 miles away

Campbell Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 310 reviews

St Helens, OR

Dog-friendly

Casual park with ball fields and several play structures such as swings.

1.9 miles away

Oregon Trail Lanes

4.5 ★★★★★ 313 reviews

St Helens, OR

Family-friendly bowling alley with leagues, casual eats and a beer menu.

2.3 miles away

Asburry County Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 31 reviews

St Helens, OR

MixedDog-friendly

3.5 miles away

All running trails in St Helens, OR →

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.