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Emma McCarthy Lee Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 128 Google reviews · Running trail in Ames, Iowa · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Emma McCarthy Lee 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 tennis courts and soccer fields, as well as a volleyball area.
What runners say about Emma McCarthy Lee Park
“Nice park, lots of open grassy areas to take the dog for a walk, always seems clean and well maintained.”
“this beautiful park has a couple shelters, four tennis courts, a volleyball sandpit, and a playground for children.”
Lovely shady playground. Tennis courts, restrooms, picnic shelter, sand volleyball, and a creek with a bridge and a path. One of my favorites!
Beautiful park. I came here often to use the tennis courts & backboard. Trails are great for walking & exploring as well.
Nice tennis courts, great little playground for kids and access to Munn woods trails. Very well kept!
This is a well maintained park tucked away in a nice neighborhood. It has a nice-looking tennis court, although I don't play tennis so I didn't look real closely. There is a stone bathroom with modern facilities that was clean. The playground is fun and shaded, which is a big bonus.
Trail conditions & character
“this beautiful park has a couple shelters, four tennis courts, a volleyball sandpit, and a playground for children.”
“Tennis courts, restrooms, picnic shelter, sand volleyball, and a creek with a bridge and a path.”
“The west end allow access to Munn Wood giving people a wooded sanctuary in the middle of bustling Ames.”
Plan your run at Emma McCarthy Lee Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- 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
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadrestrooms, water — reported by runners
- Websitecityofames.org
- Phone+1 515-239-5350
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–10:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–10:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–10:30 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–10:30 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–10:30 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–10:30 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–10:30 pm |
Running trails near Ames
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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