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Green Earth Oakland Nature Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 67 Google reviews · Running trail in Carbondale, Illinois · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Green Earth Oakland 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.

Open 24hScenicFlat & fast

Pet-friendly spot with a few short trails winding through the woods, plus an annual pumpkin glow event.

What runners say about Green Earth Oakland Nature Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (67 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 5 mentions

“Beautiful and well maintained a great place for youth group activities and nature walk and talks”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 4 mentions

“Beautiful and well maintained a great place for youth group activities and nature walk and talks”

🪧 well-marked 2 mentions

“It's also a good place to show someone how to read the trail signs, since they have the trail clearly marked.”

Our family went first time to Pumkin Glow tonight we really loved it it was a very unique experience in the dark. So many different pumpkin faces and the trail was very nice. Everyone seemed very friendly. We would love to go again next year. Maybe sometime walk some of the other trails when it's not dark as well.

★★★★★ — Mani , Oct 2019

It's great to see places like this one. Where we help childern get outside & learn. ^-^ I highly recommend any of their trails. They are my favorite spot for a wall during lunch, or with my kids.

★★★★★ — Felicia , Jul 2017

Beautiful and well maintained a great place for youth group activities and nature walk and talks

★★★★★ — Mandi , Jun 2021

Wonderful and well maintained trail bursting with young paw paws. This trail is a short loop that will take you through some lovely views! You'll feel like you are in the Shawnee right in the middle of town! This place is truly magical during the Halloween season!

★★★★★ — Jason , Oct 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 67 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.

🏞️ Scenic views 5 mentions

“Beautiful and well maintained a great place for youth group activities and nature walk and talks”

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Flat & fast 2 mentions

“Wonderful trail, great for kids and all flat easy paths”

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Plan your run at Green Earth Oakland Nature Preserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • 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.
  • Websitegreenearthinc.org
  • Social Facebook

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

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 Green Earth Oakland Nature Preserve

1201 N Oakland Ave, Carbondale, IL 62901

Get directions

Running trails near Carbondale

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

Green Earth Chautauqua Bottoms (David Kenney Trailhead)

4.6 ★★★★★ 37 reviews

Carbondale, IL

Crushed gravel

1.5 miles away

Chautauqua Bottoms (Freeman Street Trailhead)

4.7 ★★★★★ 60 reviews

Carbondale, IL

Scenic

Nature preserve with trails for walking, jogging, and biking, plus seasonal wildflowers.

1.7 miles away

Green Earth's - Brush Hill Preserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 57 reviews

Carbondale, IL

5 miLoopScenic

Natural preserve on the edge of town offering a short, well-maintained trail through a forest.

2.6 miles away

Green Earth's Fernlands Nature Preserve

4.5 ★★★★★ 29 reviews

Carbondale, IL

LoopNatural surfaceDog-friendly

4.2 miles away

Cannon Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 361 reviews

Carterville, IL

Dog-friendly

7.5 miles away

Rocky Bluff Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 162 reviews

Makanda, IL

2 miLoopNatural surfaceScenic

Loop trail with a waterfall, wildflowers, and river views, varying in difficulty from easy to challenging.

9.8 miles away

All running trails in Carbondale, IL →

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.