HomeOhioLoveland › Kelley Nature Preserve

Kelley Nature Preserve

4.6 ★★★★★ 260 Google reviews · Running trail in Loveland, Ohio · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Kelley Nature Preserve'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.

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendlyFlat & fastRestroomsTrailhead parkingQuiet

River access and trails for scenic walks in a park offering canoeing fishing and kayaking.

What runners say about Kelley Nature Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (260 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 9 mentions

“The preserve itself is serene and scenic, offering a peaceful setting as you prepare for your tubing adventure.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 5 mentions

“The preserve itself is serene and scenic, offering a peaceful setting as you prepare for your tubing adventure.”

A beautiful peaceful place to walk and enjoy creation. The river is a nice place to fish or just enjoy the water. We always see birds and even deer occasionally.

★★★★★ — Kelly , Sep 2023

Kelly Nature Preserve is an absolute gem, especially if you’re looking for a convenient place to park your car and enjoy a day of tubing on the river. The preserve is beautifully maintained, with easy access to the Little Miami River, making it the perfect starting point for a relaxing float downstream.

★★★★★ — Ahmed , Aug 2024

It's a very nice and maintained fully shade walking path with a creek along with it. It's a very short path tho. We tried all entrances and were looking for more but after 28 min we realized all exits and entrances were going to the same path and parking lot.

★★★★☆ — Naazy , Jun 2024

This nature preserve is free! Unlike the one down the street, you don’t have to be a member. The trails are nice and well maintained following along the river. There’s plenty of benches to sit and take in the view. A viewing platform and portalet are on site. A great place to drop your kayak or canoe.

★★★★★ — Christiane , Nov 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 260 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.

🏞️ Scenic views 12 mentions

“The preserve itself is serene and scenic, offering a peaceful setting as you prepare for your tubing adventure.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 7 mentions

“We tried all entrances and were looking for more but after 28 min we realized all exits and entrances were going to the same path and parking lot.”

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🚻 Restrooms 4 mentions

“A viewing platform and portalet are on site.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 4 mentions

“Dogs are welcome though must remain on a leash.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 4 mentions

“The preserve itself is serene and scenic, offering a peaceful setting as you prepare for your tubing adventure.”

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Flat & fast 3 mentions

“The walking paths are relatively flat but there are some elevation changes if you so choose.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 2 mentions

“I wish the the paths had something like wood chips to help with making the trails better suited for walking after weather events.”

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Plan your run at Kelley Nature Preserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • 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 trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websiteclermontparks.org
  • Phone+1 513-732-2977

Hours

Monday 7 am–6 pm
Tuesday 7 am–6 pm
Wednesday 7 am–6 pm
Thursday 7 am–6 pm
Friday 7 am–6 pm
Saturday 7 am–6 pm
Sunday 7 am–6 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 Kelley Nature Preserve

297 OH-126, Loveland, OH 45140

Get directions

Running trails near Loveland

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

Camp Dennison Nature Trail

4.4 ★★★★☆ 76 reviews

Camp Dennison, OH

Dog-friendly

Park with a trail that is suitable for children and provides a break from the daily grind.

1.5 miles away

Hopewell Meadows Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 198 reviews

Cincinnati, OH

LoopPavedShadedScenic

Park with a playground, tennis and basketball courts and a walking track.

2.5 miles away

Red Bird Hollow Trailhead

4.2 ★★★★☆ 117 reviews

Cincinnati, OH

Crushed gravelScenicDog-friendly

Scenic trail (which was once an old railroad grade) through the woods, featuring creek views and dogs allowed.

2.7 miles away

Swaim Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 523 reviews

Montgomery, OH

PavedShadedScenic

Serene gathering place with walking paths, a duck pond & several ball fields & sports courts.

3.2 miles away

Weller Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 378 reviews

Montgomery, OH

PavedShaded

Community space with sports fields, a playground, green areas, paths & an outdoor Ping-Pong table.

3.8 miles away

Dulle Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 81 reviews

Montgomery, OH

Paved

Baseball, soccer & tennis facilities in a relaxed park with a reservable picnic shelter & lodge.

3.8 miles away

All running trails in Loveland, OH →

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.