HomeCaliforniaStanton › Harry M. Dotson Park

Harry M. Dotson Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 373 Google reviews · Running trail in Stanton, California · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Harry M. Dotson 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.

Lit at nightRestroomsWaterTrailhead parking

This public park with a playground, picnic areas & lawns also features a seasonal water spray area.

What runners say about Harry M. Dotson Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (373 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 6 mentions

“The park has clean restrooms and is well kept.”

A fun park that's completely enclosed so you dont have to worry about your kids running off. A small water play area, although I have never seen the water on. A 1/2 court basketball court. A playground for young kids and a big ship playground for older kids. Younger kids can enjoy running around on the ship playground.

★★★★☆ — Stacey , Oct 2018

A lot smaller than the pictures, playgrounds are good size and the water area is a little small but great for any hot day to run and play, park over all is small, my kids love the water fountains...

★★★★☆ — Linda , Jun 2018

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 373 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.

🚻 Restrooms 9 mentions

“The foam is peeling between play structures and the bathrooms are boarded up.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 6 mentions

“Parking is extremely limited however.”

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🚰 Water fountains

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💡 Lit for night running

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Plan your run at Harry M. Dotson 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 trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
  • Websitestantonca.gov
  • Phone(714) 890-4270
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 6 AM–6 PM
Tuesday 6 AM–6 PM
Wednesday 6 AM–6 PM
Thursday 6 AM–6 PM
Friday 6 AM–6 PM
Saturday 6 AM–6 PM
Sunday 6 AM–6 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 Harry M. Dotson Park

10350 Fern Ave, Stanton, CA 90680

Get directions

Running trails near Stanton

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

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Stanton Central Park

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Renovated park featuring a large playground area, clean bathrooms and a splash pad modeled after the Wild West.

under a mile away

Stanton Park

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Lit

Park with a kids' playground and picnic tables, plus exercise equipment.

under a mile away

Gutosky Park

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Neighborhood park featuring a playground, picnic tables, and a public restroom.

1.7 miles away

Hare School Park

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Landscaped neighborhood area on 14 acres with open space, ball fields & basketball courts.

1.9 miles away

All running trails in Stanton, CA →

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.