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Elza Gate Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 148 Google reviews · Running trail in Oak Ridge, Tennessee · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Elza Gate 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.
Park featuring a short loop trail past a wetlands observation area to a historic cemetery.
What runners say about Elza Gate Park
“Beautiful trails, unusual vegetation, cemetery dates back to early 1800's cool place, swamp and big deck and observatory”
“Quiet little park with a 3/4 mile loop that takes you past an ancient cemetery and a bird watching observatory deck.”
Elza Gate Park is a former entry point to the Secret City back in the 1940's while top scientists and engineers performed nuclear research and atomic bomb development as part of the Manhattan Project. I would personally consider this more of a small Wilderness Management Area (WMA) as opposed to a park.
My very favorite place to walk. Several other walkers, runners, and bikers on wide concrete trail. Others are always friendly and courteous. Great views, too!
It's a bit of a small area, but it's still great. I usually go there when I want to take some photos and go for a tiny hike, but it's worth it. There's a small cemetery out there from a few dozen years ago, and a swamp. It's decent!
Just a quiet little place to go that's got a lot of history and a good nature trail. A lot of this area is owned by TVA, and these are some of my favorite places to inhabit. Remember, you reap what you sow, and always save some for the neighbors.
Trail conditions & character
“After a severe weather system passed through, my canine kid and I opted to hike the paved Greenway instead of the dirt trails elsewhere.”
“Quiet little park with a 3/4 mile loop that takes you past an ancient cemetery and a bird watching observatory deck.”
“Beautiful trails, unusual vegetation, cemetery dates back to early 1800's cool place, swamp and big deck and observatory”
“We started at the Elza Gate and hiked all the way to the south end the Haw Ridge trailhead.”
“Great midweek for letting my dogs run when no one else is here.”
“Quiet little park with a 3/4 mile loop that takes you past an ancient cemetery and a bird watching observatory deck.”
“There are no playgrounds or bathrooms here, and it's definitely not wheelchair accessible, but it's definitely worth it if you want a nice 30 minute walk.”
Plan your run at Elza Gate 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.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitenps.gov
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Sunday | 7 am–8 pm |
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