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Hiniker Park
4.3 ★★★★☆ 246 Google reviews · Running trail in Mankato, Minnesota · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Hiniker 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.
What runners say about Hiniker Park
“Very nice playgrounds by the lake plenty of handicapped parking with accessible bathrooms for handicap also very clean nice park.”
“Not really worth visiting during a cold, rainy day in early April, unless you want to go on a nature walk in a quiet neighborhood.”
“They really are trying to make a family friendly.”
Was staying at a nearby hotel and wandered over here on a beautiful, early Saturday morning. The hike around the lake was very peaceful. Watched three distance swimmers who were swimming the length of the lake. The beach looked nice, as did the other facilities. There is a nice picnic shelter and a dock to fish from.
Sights along the Brickyard Trail between Hiniker Pond and Spring Lake Park
It seems like it would be a pleasant park in the summer. It had a decent-sized playground, large beach area and plenty of parking. There were wide, paved trails, people could be seen walking them. Restrooms were locked (at 10:15am?), but there was a porta potty available for use.
Hiniker pond has 1 thing going for it, the pond; but it makes good use of it. There is a swimming area for those hot MN summers, a fishing dock and a walking path going around the pond. There is a gazebo for a little shade, a newly installed playground, and public bathrooms.
Trail conditions & character
“Very nice playgrounds by the lake plenty of handicapped parking with accessible bathrooms for handicap also very clean nice park.”
“Hiniker Pond is an absolutely gorgeous park with paved trails, or if you're the adventurer my daughter is, not paved trails taking you closer to the pond.”
“Not really worth visiting during a cold, rainy day in early April, unless you want to go on a nature walk in a quiet neighborhood.”
Plan your run at Hiniker Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- 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
- Websitemankatomn.gov
- Phone+1 507-387-8600
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 |
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