Home › Kentucky › Burlington › Gunpowder Creek Nature Park
Gunpowder Creek Nature Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 348 Google reviews · Running trail in Burlington, Kentucky · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Crushed gravel
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Gunpowder Creek Nature 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.
Hikers come to this relaxed park, with shaded trails leading to a creek.
What runners say about Gunpowder Creek Nature Park
“Trails are well maintained, creek is cool and is deep enough for swimming holes to form.”
“The creek was beautiful but I’m not sure that I would be ambitious enough to do it again 😆”
A good hike with elevation change, creek views, and shaded trails. My dog loves splashing in the creek. Good stone skipping spots as well. Save some energy for the walk up to the parking lot.
It's a long way down to the bottom of the hill where the water is. Let me tell you, my kids are 17 and 10. It's an amazing day every time we go. But I promise you the hike back up the hill to get to the parking lot will kill you several times before you make it to the top.
Small area but gorgeous. The hike down was very nice and easy, several different paths to take you to different areas of the water, each area is super pretty. The hike back up will be challenging to some.
A lovely local park. Great place for a hike and some photography. The paths are pretty easy but have some steeper inclines so require some work to walk.
Trail conditions & character
“The creek was beautiful but I’m not sure that I would be ambitious enough to do it again 😆”
“I packed a few granola bars and of course whatever garbage we took in, we put our backpack, and tossed up top of the hill, in the provided garage cans.”
“But I promise you the hike back up the hill to get to the parking lot will kill you several times before you make it to the top.”
“This parking area is next to a playground and the only public bathrooms here, so use them before your venture.”
“We let the boys play on the play set awhile and then decided to take the gravel trail down to the creek, and wow!”
Plan your run at Gunpowder Creek Nature Park
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
- 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 trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- Websiteboonecountyky.org
- Phone(859) 334-2117
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–9 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–9 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–9 PM |
Running trails near Burlington
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Oakbrook Park
4.3 ★★★★☆ 169 reviews
Park featuring swings and volleyball fields as well as picnic tables.
England Idlewild Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 803 reviews
Open-space park with a dog park with a fenced-in area and biking and walking trails for sports, fishing and hiking.
Boone County Arboretum
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,020 reviews
121-acre botanical garden with classes & exhibits, trails & kids' area, plus 12 athletic fields.
Orleans Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 136 reviews
Neighborhood park offering playgrounds, basketball courts, tennis courts, a volleyball court, and picnic tables.
Boone County Cliffs State Nature Preserve
4.3 ★★★★☆ 119 reviews
Nature preserve with kid-friendly hiking trails, and an overlook.