HomeMichiganVillage of Clarkston › Independence Oaks Trailhead

Independence Oaks Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ 29 Google reviews · Running trail in Village of Clarkston, Michigan · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Not reported

We have not been able to confirm the surface, distance or shape of Independence Oaks Trailhead yet from its own listing, the park's website or runner reviews — so those cells stay blank rather than guess. What is below comes straight from the listing and from reviewers' own words. 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.

Restrooms

What runners say about Independence Oaks Trailhead

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (29 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 3 mentions

“Beautiful oakland county park in independence twp.”

We visited Independence Oaks looking to get our annual vehicle pass. Found out that with the approval of the 2024 millage request, there is no longer a charge to any of the Oakland County parks and dog parks. The annual Vehicle Permit Program has been eliminated.

★★★★★ — Bt , Nov 2024

Lovely trails. Some actual hills. Pretty lake. Friendly and helpful staff. Got 10 miles in doing all the trails twice.

★★★★★ — Catherine , Jul 2023

Great place to park and start your walk/run/bike through Independence Oaks County Park. Picnic tables are available for a pre- or post-walk snack or lunch and the nearby Wint Nature Center has bathrooms as well. Facilities and trails are all well maintained.

★★★★★ — Brian , Jul 2021

Wonderful park, I walk 6 miles here everyday, love this place. Hi to all the "regulars" :-)

★★★★★ — Paul , Aug 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 29 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 2 mentions

“Picnic tables are available for a pre- or post-walk snack or lunch and the nearby Wint Nature Center has bathrooms as well.”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Independence Oaks Trailhead

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • 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

Where to find Independence Oaks Trailhead

Nature Center Dr, Village of Clarkston, MI 48348

Get directions

Running trails near Village of Clarkston

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

Lewis E Wint Nature Center

4.8 ★★★★★ 59 reviews

Village of Clarkston, MI

Well-liked park featuring winding trails for hiking and biking, plus a nature center with exhibits.

under a mile away

Independence Oaks County Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,430 reviews

Village of Clarkston, MI

LoopMixedScenicDog-friendly

Big park offering boating & fishing on Crooked Lake, plus trails for hiking & cross-country skiing.

under a mile away

Clintonwood Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 487 reviews

Village of Clarkston, MI

PavedLitScenic

Kid-friendly recreation area with a playground, water splash pad & paved walking paths.

1.9 miles away

Friendship Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 841 reviews

Lake Orion, MI

LitScenic

4.4 miles away

Orion Oaks County Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 27 reviews

Orion Township, MI

ScenicDog-friendly

4.8 miles away

Orion Oaks County Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 750 reviews

Lake Orion, MI

Dog-friendly

900+ acres of county land with a boating & fishing lake, dog park & trails for hiking or biking.

5.1 miles away

All running trails in Village of Clarkston, MI →

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.