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Lake Ella Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 2,421 Google reviews · Running trail in Tallahassee, Florida · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Lake Ella 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.

LoopOpen 24hScenicDog-friendlyStroller / ADATrailhead parkingQuiet

Park with a playground, picnic tables, and a gazebo, plus many geese and ducks.

What runners say about Lake Ella Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (2,421 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 13 mentions

“The was a very beautiful gazebo located in the center of the park surrounded by a serene lake full of ducks and geese.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 8 mentions

“The was a very beautiful gazebo located in the center of the park surrounded by a serene lake full of ducks and geese.”

🐕 dog-walking favorite 3 mentions

Nice place for taking a walk or relaxing. There’s a swing which is mostly free! You can walk 360 around the lake, have a picnic or just time for yourself. Quiet, less crowded and mostly there is a parking space. There are picnic tables and a sort of mini island although not completely separated.

★★★★★ — Clement , Jul 2025

Beautiful park with a nice walking/running trail. Plenty of benches scattered as well as a beautiful gazebo in the middle of the lake. Some nice coffee spots and cafes are also along the trail. About a half mile loop.

★★★★☆ — Kaitlyn , Nov 2024

Had a great time walking around the lake. The circular path is well-suited for casual walks or jogs, and its short length makes it easy to complete multiple laps without getting too tired. It’s a peaceful spot, ideal for getting some fresh air and light exercise.

★★★★☆ — Dr. , May 2025

Such a peaceful and charming spot! I loved walking around the pond with a treat from the nearby snowball shop. The paved trail is easy to navigate, and the scenery with the fountains and the ducks is so relaxing.

★★★★☆ — Tash , Apr 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 2,421 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 14 mentions

“The was a very beautiful gazebo located in the center of the park surrounded by a serene lake full of ducks and geese.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 7 mentions

“The was a very beautiful gazebo located in the center of the park surrounded by a serene lake full of ducks and geese.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 2 mentions

“Quiet, less crowded and mostly there is a parking space.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 6 mentions

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🔁 Loop trail 5 mentions

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Stroller / ADA accessible

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Plan your run at Lake Ella Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • 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 — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websitetalgov.com
  • Phone+1 850-891-6860
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

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 Lake Ella Park

S Lake Ella Dr, Tallahassee, FL 32303

Get directions

Running trails near Tallahassee

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

Governor's Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 290 reviews

Tallahassee, FL

ShadedScenicDog-friendly

Large park featuring grassy open areas & wooded spaces for picnicking, jogging & more.

1.9 miles away

Cascades Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 5,229 reviews

Tallahassee, FL

PavedScenicDog-friendly

24-acre recreational hub with paved trails, an amphitheater, historical landmarks & a war memorial.

1.9 miles away

Goose Pond Trail

3.6 ★★★★☆ 10 reviews

Tallahassee, FL

Paved

2.4 miles away

San Luis Mission Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 965 reviews

Tallahassee, FL

BoardwalkScenicDog-friendly

Urban green space housing a dog park, lake & boardwalk, plus picnic shelters, a playground & trails.

2.5 miles away

Miccosukee Greenway Fleischmann Rd Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ 52 reviews

Tallahassee, FL

Crushed gravelShadedScenic

Park offering wooded trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

3.7 miles away

Tom Brown Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,864 reviews

Tallahassee, FL

BoardwalkShadedScenicDog-friendly

Baseball diamonds, a BMX track & lakeside nature walks in a vast, landscaped urban green space.

3.9 miles away

All running trails in Tallahassee, FL →

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.