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E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 217 Google reviews · Running trail in Louisville, Kentucky · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State 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.

ScenicDog-friendlyRestroomsTrailhead parking

What runners say about E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (217 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“Even though it's heavily used, the park is kept in great shape and clean.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 8 mentions

“there is a path to walk through nature, and you can be surprised by beautiful animals such as deer and birds.”

Every season this place is a gem! Love hiking beyond the nature trails and finding remnants of the old lakeland asylum, the fabulous wetlands trail and the area across, beside and behind from the sawyer hayes building. There are many ducks in the huge pond.

★★★★★ — Darlene , Mar 2026

I have visited this park since I was a child. I run and bike here daily. Very safe atmosphere with tins of activities ranging from basketball, swimming, archery, star gazing, tennis, pickle ball, bmx racing, mountain biking, running, soccer. You name it, Tom Sawyer will provide it. It is a overlooked park to hike.

★★★★★ — Quintin , Jul 2022

Best state park for sports activities such as swimming, soccer, indoor sports like table tennis, badminton, chess and many more. You can do walks and follow trails and even walk your dog in this park. Family friendly and good for kids to swim and visit especially during summer.

★★★★★ — Rj , Jun 2019

This is a very large park with almost anything you would want, depending on which section of the park you go to. Sports fields, walking and hiking trails, more private areas where we have done family photos, playgrounds, ets.

★★★★★ — Timothy , Sep 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 217 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 9 mentions

“there is a path to walk through nature, and you can be surprised by beautiful animals such as deer and birds.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 8 mentions

“You can do walks and follow trails and even walk your dog in this park.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

“The best thing about the park is that there are no cars allowed anywhere in the park except for the parking lot.”

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🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

“There is also a sheltered picnic table area with restroom in front of the trail entrance.”

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Plan your run at E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State 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.
  • Phone+1 502-245-2280

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 E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park

2201 Lakeland Rd, Louisville, KY 40223

Get directions

Running trails near Louisville

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

E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 2,630 reviews

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1 miScenicDog-friendly

Activity-filled, 550-acre urban park with trails, birding, a pool, an archery range & more.

under a mile away

Anchorage 2 mile park and walking trail

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LoopPavedScenic

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Anchorage Trailhead

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LoopPavedShadedScenic

Flat, tree-lined hiking trail, with bridges, a swing and a pond, frequented by dog walkers.

1.1 miles away

Robsion Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 675 reviews

Lyndon, KY

ShadedLitScenic

2.8 miles away

Warwick Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 281 reviews

Louisville, KY

PavedDog-friendly

Family park for adults and children alike, featuring playground equipment and walking tracks.

3.6 miles away

Briar Hill Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 237 reviews

Crestwood, KY

PavedShadedScenic

Neighborhood green space with tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, as well as playgrounds and picnic areas.

3.9 miles away

All running trails in Louisville, KY →

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.