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Elizabeth River Trail

4.1 ★★★★☆ 81 Google reviews · Running trail in Elizabeth, New Jersey · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Elizabeth River 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.

PavedOpen 24hQuiet

Park featuring a paved trail along a river with cherry blossoms and historical art installations.

What runners say about Elizabeth River Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (81 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 5 mentions

“But it seems dirty around the area but the water looks Clean.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 3 mentions

“Peaceful , relaxing and no ruckus”

This trail is walking distance from the Elizabeth Courthouse! It seems I always get jury duty in the spring because I always enjoy seeing the cherry blossom in bloom. Great view of the Courthouse with the blossoms. This year, I had to renew my passport and noticed an art installation was added to the river trail.

★★★★☆ — Suzette , Apr 2023

Elizabeth River trail is a nice trail to go walk catch some breath this person mind even those inside the city of Elizabeth it is still a nice place to relax chill also if you have a pad you can come and bring it with you to walk your dog or else you can come with your family or partner and come and enjoy a good…

★★★★★ — The , Apr 2022

Great place to walk, it will lead you to the Goethals bridge so you can enjoy a nice walk into Staten Island

★★★★★ — Heather , Nov 2021

Honestly, its a great way to relax and think about stuff. As you can see there's fish right inside the river since this is a River that goes around the whole place. But it seems dirty around the area but the water looks Clean. Just by walking around it it really helps a lot.

★★★★★ — Tapris , Mar 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 81 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.

🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 3 mentions

“Peaceful , relaxing and no ruckus”

More trails like this →

🛣️ Paved surface 2 mentions

“Great well paved trail that makes it easy to walk alongside the river.”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Elizabeth River Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • 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.
  • Websitegoelizabethnj.com
  • Phone+1 908-820-4220
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

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 Elizabeth River Trail

Elizabeth River Trail Phase I, Elizabeth, NJ 07202

Get directions

Running trails near Elizabeth

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

Mattano Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 1,559 reviews

Elizabeth, NJ

This area destination for sports & recreation features a playground, splash pad & ball fields.

under a mile away

Phil Rizzuto Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 875 reviews

Elizabeth, NJ

Dog-friendly

Football- and soccer friendly park featuring a playground and workout stations.

1.2 miles away

Warinanco Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 7,371 reviews

Roselle, NJ

Scenic

Expansive park offering an ice-skating rink & lake activities plus multiple playing fields & trails.

1.5 miles away

Kellogg Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 964 reviews

Elizabeth, NJ

Relaxed park offering a children's playground, a basketball court and a fountain for recreation.

1.5 miles away

Peach Orchard Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 35 reviews

Linden, NJ

PavedLitScenic

1.7 miles away

Marciante-Jackson-Millet Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 137 reviews

Elizabeth, NJ

BoardwalkScenic

Park offering a view of the port, plus opportunities for walking and running.

1.8 miles away

All running trails in Elizabeth, NJ →

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.