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James Hill Park
4.2 ★★★★☆ 255 Google reviews · Running trail in Gulfport, Mississippi · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from James 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.
Pet-friendly bayou preserve featuring a boardwalk for bird-watching and fishing.
What runners say about James Hill Park
“Beautiful paved walk along the back bay wirh plenty of picnic and fishing spots.”
“Watching the cranes come and go, walking the dog in the park and on the boardwalk, enjoying a foggy day - all at the quiet park and bayou.”
Watching the cranes come and go, walking the dog in the park and on the boardwalk, enjoying a foggy day - all at the quiet park and bayou. There’s spots to sit along the board walk. Plenty of grassy spots for the dog. Take an hour to explore this peaceful area.
This is a really fun place to walk. It has a raised platform that brings you through a bayou lake setting and will open up onto the back Bay waterway. You can bring your dog along just have to have them on a leash.
Playground was missing major pieces. As a National Park Service Department of Leisure Services park (yeah its a thing) it is poorly maintained. However, the boardwalks are in great shape, good for fishing or a nice nature walk.
This is a pretty park with a fun pier to walk during the day. The problem is the multitude of condom wrappers strewn about everywhere. It may be considered a "lovers lane" to some, but I'd call it an outdoor sex arena. Do not take inquisitive children out there. It definitely needs to be cleaned up!
Trail conditions & character
“Beautiful paved walk along the back bay wirh plenty of picnic and fishing spots.”
“Watching the cranes come and go, walking the dog in the park and on the boardwalk, enjoying a foggy day - all at the quiet park and bayou.”
“Watching the cranes come and go, walking the dog in the park and on the boardwalk, enjoying a foggy day - all at the quiet park and bayou.”
“Watching the cranes come and go, walking the dog in the park and on the boardwalk, enjoying a foggy day - all at the quiet park and bayou.”
“Beautiful paved walk along the back bay wirh plenty of picnic and fishing spots.”
“The board walks do not make a loop so we had to either walk back the way we came or go around the apartments.”
Plan your run at James Hill Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to 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.
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Phone+1 228-868-5881
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near Gulfport
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Pennzoil McManus Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 126 reviews
Shaded green space with a gazebo, 2 playgrounds for kids and a 0.25-mile walking trail.
Popps Ferry Causeway Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 289 reviews
Waterfront spot for fishing and crab-catching, with a picnic area, a boardwalk and trails.
Clower Thornton Nature Trail
4.5 ★★★★★ 29 reviews
