Home › Massachusetts › Springfield › Forest Park
Forest Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 3,090 Google reviews · Running trail in Springfield, Massachusetts · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Forest 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.
Sprawling, 735-acre public park known for its charming natural features, sweeping views, lake & zoo.
What runners say about Forest Park
“Beautiful area around the Carriage House, I wish I had more time to explore the different areas of the park .”
“Such a big, peaceful, lovely, vibrant, diverse, magnificent piece of nature!”
4.20.22 This is a very big park with many walking paths, things to see and do besides the amazing Zoo that's on the premises. $5 entrance fee per car for out of state folks. Check with your library for discounts or free passes to the Zoo. As for the park in "April" we walked around after visiting the zoo 1st.
Nice park. Enjoyed walking across the area. It’s very difficult to cover everything on a same day. Multiple visits required. Good trails are there for hiking. Also a zoo is there with a minimum entry fee. A good place for a dayout
This is one of the best parks the I know I ca come do just about anything from walking, running and exercise in general. There’s baseball fields and one of the is actually like a stadium, softballs field, soccer field and tennis courts. I feel you can come to this park and practice any exercise you want.
What a beautiful Park! I love how big it is you can get lost in Forest Park. Yet it's so close to home. The trees are massive. Beautiful for a walk run or bring your bike for a ride. Lots of ponds and birds singing around you. The park features lots of up hills and down hills.
Trail conditions & character
“Beautiful area around the Carriage House, I wish I had more time to explore the different areas of the park .”
“And beast of all in the winter they have the Christmas lights which is very awesome.”
“It is pet friendly-on leash required-and many people are seen walking their dogs with waste bins for doggy bags.”
“Such a big, peaceful, lovely, vibrant, diverse, magnificent piece of nature!”
“That said, the wooden benches by the zoo restrooms are pretty worn down and not the safest to sit on.”
“There’s plenty of parking there’s is a feed to enter with your vehicle, but if you want you can purchase a yearly pass Which is not expensive.”
Plan your run at Forest 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.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- 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 trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitespringfield-ma.gov
- Phone+1 413-787-6440
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7:45 am–5:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 7:45 am–5:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 7:45 am–5:30 pm |
| Thursday | 7:45 am–5:30 pm |
| Friday | 7:45 am–5:30 pm |
| Saturday | 7:45 am–5:30 pm |
| Sunday | 7:45 am–5:30 pm |
Running trails near Springfield
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Forest Park Extension
4 ★★★★☆ 2 reviews
Laurel Park
5 ★★★★★ 2 reviews
Pynchon Point
4.1 ★★★★☆ 141 reviews
Casual riverfront park featuring fishing, kayaking, picnics and scenery.
Emerson Wight Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 143 reviews
Neighborhood park geared towards families. Features include 2 basketball courts, a playground and a sprinkler pad.
Agawam Parks & Recreation
4.7 ★★★★★ 523 reviews
Park featuring a playground, splash pad, athletic fields, disc golf, and pavilions.