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Gateway Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 179 Google reviews · Running trail in Cedar Falls, Iowa · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Gateway 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.
Expansive park boasting a lake for swimming and fishing, plus trails for walking and biking.
What runners say about Gateway Park
“The trees are especially beautiful when their leaves change during the fall.”
Gateway Park is a large park just off Cedar Falls/Waterloo, Iowa. It boasts a huge lake, in which visitors, swim, fish & use watercraft. There are also covered eating/activity structures at various places in the park. And many places to go camping, either traditional or with recreational vehicles.
Nice riverfront park with open grass, a playground, a large shelter for events, and a drinking fountain with a trail connecting Big Woods Park and Pfieffer Park. Great place to start a run/walk or to have a group event or to take kids. Downtown is also just a short walk across the river bridge!
Nice park with two shelters, basketball courts, large playground and trail access to GW State Park and Big Woods Recreation Area and Washington Park and Hartman Reserve. A river water park for kayaking is nearing completion and should be nice to use when river levels are right.
Great park located a short walk/bike from downtown. Nice place for a picnic or gathering, or a rest from a long bike ride. The bike service station is wonderful.
Trail conditions & character
“The trees are especially beautiful when their leaves change during the fall.”
“Nice riverfront park with open grass, a playground, a large shelter for events, and a drinking fountain with a trail connecting Big Woods Park and Pfieffer Park.”
Plan your run at Gateway 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 trailheadrestrooms, water — reported by runners
- Websitecedarfalls.com
- Phone+1 319-273-8636
- Social Instagram · Facebook
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 Cedar Falls
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Tourist Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 95 reviews
This 10-acre recreation area on the Cedar River has an 18-hole disc golf course & a picnic shelter.
Washington Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 94 reviews
A bike trail surrounds this riverfront park with a ball field, open grassy areas & play equipment.
Big Woods Lake Recreation Area
4.6 ★★★★★ 394 reviews
Lake with opportunities for disc golf, picnicking, and fishing, plus paved bike trails and a kid-friendly hike.
Pfeiffer Springs Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 271 reviews
Riverside park with ball fields & courts, a playground, sheltered picnic tables & walking paths.
Lookout Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 168 reviews
Modest grassy area overlooking the Cedar River with picnic shelters & a playground.
George Wyth State Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,043 reviews
Multiple lakes for boating, fishing & windsurfing plus multi-use woodland trails, campsites & more.