Home › Delaware › Dover › Fork Branch Nature Preserve
Fork Branch Nature Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 77 Google reviews · Running trail in Dover, Delaware · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Crushed gravel
- Loop distance
- 75 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Fork Branch Nature Preserve'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.
Nature preserve featuring trails for walking or hiking.
What runners say about Fork Branch Nature Preserve
“Went here today and it's a great trail didn't take long very nice it's woods but it was clean”
“beautifully secluded nature preserve with great views :) lots of informational plaques about the preservation was a fun read while walking the trail”
“To start this is a very clean & shaded park.”
“It was quiet didnt have too many bugs which was great considering the trail we just came from was full of horse flys.”
beautifully secluded nature preserve with great views :) lots of informational plaques about the preservation was a fun read while walking the trail
Love this place. It's a nice one mile walk through the woods on a gravel path. I just wish there was more parking. There's like three parking spots and if they're full, you're screwed until someone leaves lol. It does require a state park pass to use or you have to pay a fee each time you use the trail.
Went here today and it's a great trail didn't take long very nice it's woods but it was clean
Nice little local hike, parking is limited and there is a fee if you do not have a pass.
Trail conditions & character
“Nice little local hike, parking is limited and there is a fee if you do not have a pass.”
“beautifully secluded nature preserve with great views :) lots of informational plaques about the preservation was a fun read while walking the trail”
“To start this is a very clean & shaded park.”
“It was quiet didnt have too many bugs which was great considering the trail we just came from was full of horse flys.”
“The wide flat path is so perfect for kids and even strollers or wagons, but it still feels immersed in nature”
“We are from out of town and just wanted a shaded place to walk our dog.”
“It's a nice one mile walk through the woods on a gravel path.”
Plan your run at Fork Branch Nature Preserve
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
- Loop distance75 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitednrec.alpha.delaware.gov
- Phone+1 302-739-9241
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Sunday | 8 am–8 pm |
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