Home › Iowa › Iowa City › Hickory Hill Park
Hickory Hill Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 392 Google reviews · Running trail in Iowa City, Iowa · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Hickory Hill 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.
Scenic forested park featuring many walking & running paths, picnic tables & grills on 185 acres.
What runners say about Hickory Hill Park
“Beautiful park, well maintained trails One issue is signage, easy to get mildly lost if you don't follow the main trails Picnic tables and benches are scattered around the park”
“Beautiful park, well maintained trails One issue is signage, easy to get mildly lost if you don't follow the main trails Picnic tables and benches are scattered around the park”
“beautiful, deer everywhere, just the right amount of lively and quiet”
What a unique park, in that it has 7 entrances with many rough paths that are shortcuts to get to areas of the park a lot faster! Not only that, but the park is attached to the Pappy Dickens Preserve, which is beautiful! I've, personally, never seen a city park quite like this.
Just a few steps away from the local HyVee is this beautiful park! There are numerous trails, most of which either circle back, or lead to various open spaces and park entrances. You would have to be extraordinarily unlucky not to see a few deers.
Most of the parks in Iowa City are very well managed and well equipped. Hickory Hill is exceptional and has a broad support group in the community. It's one of the bigger parks and has great trails.
Beautiful park, well maintained trails One issue is signage, easy to get mildly lost if you don't follow the main trails Picnic tables and benches are scattered around the park
Trail conditions & character
“Beautiful park, well maintained trails One issue is signage, easy to get mildly lost if you don't follow the main trails Picnic tables and benches are scattered around the park”
“No bicycles are allowed, but I see people walking their dogs on all the time.”
“beautiful, deer everywhere, just the right amount of lively and quiet”
Plan your run at Hickory Hill 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.
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websiteicgov.org
- Phone+1 319-356-5100
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–10 pm |
Running trails near Iowa City
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Hickory Hill Park East Entrance
4.7 ★★★★★ 41 reviews
Harvest Preserve
4.9 ★★★★★ 63 reviews
Private reserve for hiking and other outdoor recreation, showcasing sculptures.
Longfellow Nature Trail
4.3 ★★★★☆ 23 reviews
Waterworks Prairie Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 172 reviews
200-acre park with 3 mi. of paved paths around ponds & prairies, plus trailhead parking & benches.
