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Hoover Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 124 Google reviews · Running trail in Sterling, Illinois · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Hoover 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.
Recreational space with a playground, picnic areas, and a walking trail, as well as events.
What runners say about Hoover Park
“Hoover Park is always well kept.”
Nice playground, plenty of parking and start of a very long, paved bike/hike trail, which has been extended another mile eastward. Lots of acreage and combination of wooded and open areas. Deer, fox, geese, ducks, Bald Eagles and more. If you are in Sterling, this is a great way to have a wonderful walk.
Honestly we were only there for a cross country meet. The park itself is great. Stinks the runners have to run uphill to the finish line. Not enough parking for a meet. Be ready to dodge cars when you walk in from neighborhood parking.
Great park for our 2 year old to play&swing safely!!Great new parent/kid swing built for two!!What a great invention!!Here is a picture with my Daughter from my point of view on the swing!!😁Great walking path also!!
Nice little neighborhood park. Great place to take children or walk dog. Please pick up after both.
Trail conditions & character
“Our favorite place for a picnic and a walk with our toddler and dog.”
“Nice playground, plenty of parking and start of a very long, paved bike/hike trail, which has been extended another mile eastward.”
Plan your run at Hoover 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 — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitesterlingparks.org
- Phone(815) 622-6200
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–9 PM |
Running trails near Sterling
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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Central Memorial Park
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Kilgour Park
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