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Jay Carlson Wildlife Area

4.3 ★★★★☆ 19 Google reviews · Running trail in Boone, Iowa · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Jay Carlson Wildlife Area'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.

Jay Carlson Wildlife Area — running trail in Boone, IA, photo 1
Jay Carlson Wildlife Area — running trail in Boone, IA, photo 2
Jay Carlson Wildlife Area — running trail in Boone, IA, photo 3
Jay Carlson Wildlife Area — running trail in Boone, IA, photo 4
Jay Carlson Wildlife Area — running trail in Boone, IA, photo 5

What runners say about Jay Carlson Wildlife Area

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (19 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

Nice county park. There is a small gravel parking lot and a trail around the lake. There is good access to the shore for fishing all around the lake.

★★★★☆ — Mike , Aug 2020

We had fun. Lots of bites and fish jumping. A little walk getting to a spot but there's paths. 🙂

★★★★☆ — Crystal , Jun 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 19 reviews →

Plan your run at Jay Carlson Wildlife Area

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.
  • Websitemycountyparks.com
  • Phone+1 515-353-4237

Hours

Monday 5:30 am–10:30 pm
Tuesday 5:30 am–10:30 pm
Wednesday 5:30 am–10:30 pm
Thursday 5:30 am–10:30 pm
Friday 5:30 am–10:30 pm
Saturday 5:30 am–10:30 pm
Sunday 5:30 am–10:30 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Jay Carlson Wildlife Area

1158 216th Dr, Boone, IA 50036

Get directions

Running trails near Boone

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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All running trails in Boone, IA →

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.