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Elmer W. Oliver Nature Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,501 Google reviews · Running trail in Mansfield, Texas · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Crushed gravel
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Elmer W. Oliver Nature 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.
Wild expanse with trails, kayaking & fishing, bird blinds & an amphitheater, plus nature classes.
What runners say about Elmer W. Oliver Nature Park
“You can tell that the bathrooms have been recently updated, because they are so nice and CLEAN.”
“Picturesque bridges cross over the river, creating scenic views and even spaces where you can exercise or simply sit and take in the surroundings.”
“Nestled in the heart of Mansfield, this natural park offers a peaceful escape with plenty of outdoor activities.”
BEAUTIFUL. That is the first word that comes to mind whenever I think about my visit here at Elmer W. Oliver Nature Park. The scenery was absolutely beautiful with easy-to-follow trails, lots of trees that provided plenty of shade, ponds, a river, informational stations, and more.
Beautiful location for a family picnic or just a day to stretch and get out of the house. If you are walking full trail it’s a little over 1.5 miles round trip
April 21st. What a beautiful park, came for the first time. There’s restrooms, well taken care of park, little ponds, wildflowers, wildlife. We saw some rabbits, lizards and lot of birds.
What an amazing park! So much to see with extensive hiking trails! A lot of great places to do a photoshoot of any variety. Its dog friendly and a very safe park. Don't forget to look for the hidden painted rocks in the area! Also bring a fishing pole incase you get hungry.
Trail conditions & character
“Cute little park with a few different trails to pick from including the treehouse pavilion overlook, the wildflower meadow and some little ponds full of turtles and bullfrogs.”
“Wife and I bring our dogs here almost every weekend at least once to do a good walk around the loop.”
“Nestled in the heart of Mansfield, this natural park offers a peaceful escape with plenty of outdoor activities.”
“I brought a stroller, although it’s a gravel/dirt pathway it wasn’t too difficult to walk with it.”
“One full hiking loop takes about 30 minutes but if you go off to the extra trail leading to 360 highway it could take 1 hour or more.”
“You can tell that the bathrooms have been recently updated, because they are so nice and CLEAN.”
Plan your run at Elmer W. Oliver Nature Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- 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.
- At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websiteolivernaturepark.com
- Phone(817) 728-3680
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 5 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 5 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 5 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 5 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 5 AM–9 PM |
| Saturday | 5 AM–9 PM |
| Sunday | 5 AM–9 PM |
Running trails near Mansfield
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
