HomeWisconsinJanesville › Gibbs Lake Park

Gibbs Lake Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 204 Google reviews · Running trail in Janesville, Wisconsin · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Gibbs Lake 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.

Dog-friendlyRestrooms

Popular recreation area featuring woods, a lake, hiking trails and horseback excursions.

What runners say about Gibbs Lake Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (204 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 3 mentions

“It was beautiful, saw an orange Tanager (a red bodied bird), three young deer as well as wild turkeys and some ducks, including a white one.”

I trailer my horse out to trail ride and had a great time. Trails are very well kept and wide enough for my Clydesdale to pass other horses. Wide load.. 😆 The only thing I feel would be great for new comers is signage. For the directionally impaired n those that get lost in a circle such as myself.

★★★★★ — Kimberly , Jul 2022

Used to just be mediocre, but the new trail that goes around the lake is a fantastic walk. I took my new dog there and we really enjoyed it a lot. One of our favorite shorter nature hiking spots in the area now.

★★★★★ — Adam , May 2024

Excellent park for multiple things to do year round. The lake has a good amount of pan fish and small mouth bass. Easy access in summer or winter for ice fishing. There are several hiking and horse back trails that go through the woods.

★★★★★ — Dj , Oct 2018

Beautiful lake! We’ve taken our dog here for the trails and to swim. If you want to fish, get on a boat or kayak and go towards the middle. It’s pretty shallow for the most part. We had a wonderful time kayaking!

★★★★★ — Jane , Jun 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 204 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🐕 Dog-friendly 3 mentions

“I took my new dog there and we really enjoyed it a lot.”

More trails like this →

🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

“I wish there was a bathroom a little closer to the boat launch.”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Gibbs Lake 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.
  • At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websiteco.rock.wi.us
  • Phone(608) 757-5450

Hours

Monday 5 AM–10 PM
Tuesday 5 AM–10 PM
Wednesday 5 AM–10 PM
Thursday 5 AM–10 PM
Friday 5 AM–10 PM
Saturday 5 AM–10 PM
Sunday 5 AM–10 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Gibbs Lake Park

Janesville, Wisconsin

Get directions

Running trails near Janesville

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Rock River Heritage County Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 29 reviews

Janesville, WI

Scenic

4.4 miles away

Robert O Cook Memorial Arboretum

4.8 ★★★★★ 211 reviews

Janesville, WI

PavedShadedScenicDog-friendly

160 acres of native forest, wetland & marked trails known for cross country skiing & snowshoeing.

7.6 miles away

Ice Age Trailhead Arbor Ridge Devils Staircase

4.7 ★★★★★ 82 reviews

Janesville, WI

ScenicDog-friendly

Scenic destination for families, hikers and individuals, with an arboretum and river views.

7.9 miles away

Devil's Staircase Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ 51 reviews

Janesville, WI

1 miNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

8.3 miles away

Walt Lindemann Sportsman's Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 96 reviews

Janesville, WI

Recreational area with playgrounds, picnic tables and a deer pen.

8.4 miles away

Riverside Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 129 reviews

Janesville, WI

Scenic

Riverside park, featuring a splash pad and tennis courses, plus disc golf.

8.6 miles away

All running trails in Janesville, WI →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.