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Ellis-Porter Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 578 Google reviews · Running trail in Jefferson City, Missouri · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Ellis-Porter 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.
Clean park featuring 2 playgrounds (1 for toddlers) and an amphitheater.
What runners say about Ellis-Porter Park
“The pool was clean and had lots of shady, comfortable seating and was attended by a whole team of lifeguards.”
“We just googled JC parks and I was amazed how gorgeous this park was when we arrived.”
“The pool was clean and had lots of shady, comfortable seating and was attended by a whole team of lifeguards.”
It's a beautiful park and a little swimming pool. It has several paved paths to follow if you are looking for a great place to walk.
Was here for the Peddler's Jamboree, I had a blast. The amphitheater is well designed, the music was too loud half way up. Lovely park to camp in few bugs, nice swimming pool, nice roads and paths. Beautiful trees, a nice ball diamond, and cool playground. Fun for the whole family!
Nice trails. Lots of picnic areas. A nice looking pool. What a great park.
I visited the park specifically to walk the AllTrails "Ellis Porter Park Greenway Trail". It's a nice trail that's 1/2 paved and 1/2 gravel + 1/2 through wooded area and 1/2 through a combo government/residential area + part of the Ellis-Porter Park.
Trail conditions & character
“We just googled JC parks and I was amazed how gorgeous this park was when we arrived.”
“Parking was free, there were plenty of vendors selling decently priced food and drink, and all of the people were really friendly.”
“It's a nice trail that's 1/2 paved and 1/2 gravel + 1/2 through wooded area and 1/2 through a combo government/residential area + part of the Ellis-Porter Park.”
“It's a nice trail that's 1/2 paved and 1/2 gravel + 1/2 through wooded area and 1/2 through a combo government/residential area + part of the Ellis-Porter Park.”
“The only complaint I think would be the parking at the top of the hill, but of course we were here during a very busy time.”
“Surprisingly, it wasn't buggy, and there are bathrooms at the park shelter within sight of the trail's starting point, which is helpful.”
Plan your run at Ellis-Porter 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
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Websitejcparks.com
- Phone(573) 634-6482
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 5 AM–11 PM |
| Tuesday | 5 AM–11 PM |
| Wednesday | 5 AM–11 PM |
| Thursday | 5 AM–11 PM |
| Friday | 5 AM–11 PM |
| Saturday | 5 AM–11 PM |
| Sunday | 5 AM–11 PM |
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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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