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Ellis Lake Park

3.7 ★★★★☆ 305 Google reviews · Running trail in Concord, California · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Ellis Lake 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.

PavedShadedScenicQuiet

Spacious park featuring a large lake surrounded by a paved path, plus the historic Keller House.

What runners say about Ellis Lake Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (305 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 4 mentions

“It's a beautiful small lake, it's peaceful and is well maintained.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 6 mentions

“It's a beautiful small lake, it's peaceful and is well maintained.”

🌳 shaded & cool 3 mentions
🌾 quiet & peaceful 8 mentions

“So pretty the geese hissed at me i was scared but overall very peaceful place 💕”

Loads of geese, ducks, and the occasional turtles can be seen in this small park. Nice little park to take a walk around, just be mindful of the poop on the sidewalks. Could use a few benches along the walking path, but overall a nice little spot to stop and enjoy the breeze wherever there is one.

★★★★☆ — Johnny , Apr 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 305 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 7 mentions

“So pretty the geese hissed at me i was scared but overall very peaceful place 💕”

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🏞️ Scenic views 6 mentions

“It's a beautiful small lake, it's peaceful and is well maintained.”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 3 mentions

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🛣️ Paved surface 2 mentions

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Plan your run at Ellis Lake Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • 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.
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • Websitecityofconcord.org

Hours

Monday 7 am–7 pm
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 7 am–7 pm
Thursday 7 am–7 pm
Friday 7 am–7 pm
Saturday 7 am–7 pm
Sunday 7 am–7 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 Ellis Lake Park

1736 Clayton Rd, Concord, CA 94520

Get directions

Running trails near Concord

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

Iron Horse Trail

5 ★★★★★ 7 reviews

Concord, CA

Paved

1.1 miles away

Start Trail Ride - Contra Costa Canal Trail

4.2 ★★★★☆ 10 reviews

Concord, CA

1.3 miles away

Willow Pass Community Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 711 reviews

Concord, CA

LitDog-friendly

40-acre strip with 8 tennis courts, 6 softball fields & a batting cage, plus a community center.

1.4 miles away

Iron Horse Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 46 reviews

Concord, CA

Peaceful park with a bench and picnic tables beside an airport, offering views of planes.

1.7 miles away

Markham Nature Area

4.7 ★★★★★ 263 reviews

Concord, CA

ScenicDog-friendly

Compact, tree-topped park with winding trails, open lawns, gardens & an arboretum.

1.9 miles away

Ygnacio Valley Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 451 reviews

Concord, CA

ShadedDog-friendly

Basic neighborhood park with ball fields, a jogging path, picnic facilities & a kids' play area.

2.0 miles away

All running trails in Concord, CA →

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.