HomeIndianaValparaiso › Lakewood Park - Gertsmeier Bridge

Lakewood Park - Gertsmeier Bridge

4.8 ★★★★★ 62 Google reviews · Running trail in Valparaiso, Indiana · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Lakewood Park - Gertsmeier Bridge'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.

PavedOpen 24hScenicDog-friendlyTrailhead parkingQuiet

Park offering a playground, disc golf course, fishing, and picnic tables.

What runners say about Lakewood Park - Gertsmeier Bridge

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (62 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“Its well taken care of plus this is a beautiful spot to take pictures.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 7 mentions

“Besides all the kids screaming for help in the water, its so peaceful!”

Rogers lakewood is such an amazing park for the whole family. This place has disc golf, a skate park, docks for fishing, trails for hiking, a park and a beach front for swimming. Its well taken care of plus this is a beautiful spot to take pictures. I come here all the time and the family loves it.

★★★★★ — Brandon , May 2019

Lakewood Park is beautiful! Lots of walking paths with natural beauty everywhere. Plenty of recreational activities, including paddle boats, row boats, fishing, dics golf, and skateboard park. There is a $6 entry fee . Card and cash accepted.

★★★★★ — Michael , Jul 2024

What an adorable place to visit! Great nature walk. Nice and quiet and not crowded.

★★★★★ — Amber , Jul 2022

Gorgeous and peaceful. Dogs allowed on leash. One of my I favorite local walks!

★★★★★ — Jutz , Oct 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 62 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 7 mentions

“Its well taken care of plus this is a beautiful spot to take pictures.”

More trails like this →

🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 7 mentions

“Besides all the kids screaming for help in the water, its so peaceful!”

More trails like this →

🐕 Dog-friendly 3 mentions

“Beautiful Park yeah, lots of great walking spaces also dog friendly”

More trails like this →

🛣️ Paved surface

More trails like this →

🅿️ Trailhead parking

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Lakewood Park - Gertsmeier Bridge

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • 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.
  • Websiteci.valparaiso.in.us
  • Phone(219) 462-5144

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 Lakewood Park - Gertsmeier Bridge

5100-5298 N Meridian Rd, Valparaiso, IN 46383

Get directions

Running trails near Valparaiso

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

Rogers Lakewood Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 765 reviews

Valparaiso, IN

PavedScenicDog-friendly

Recreation area with hiking trails, a disc golf course, picnic areas, and a playground, plus 2 lakes.

under a mile away

Hollenbeck Nature Greenway

2.3 ★★☆☆☆ 4 reviews

Valparaiso, IN

1.1 miles away

Meadowbrook Nature Preserve

4.6 ★★★★★ 85 reviews

Valparaiso, IN

PavedScenic

1.8 miles away

Sunset Hill Farm County Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 770 reviews

Valparaiso, IN

LitScenic

Natural recreation area on a former farm with wooded trails, campsites & regular events.

2.1 miles away

Forest Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 386 reviews

Valparaiso, IN

Scenic

Tree-topped park & gardens offering picnic shelters & a playground, plus a field for various sports.

2.5 miles away

Creekside Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 63 reviews

Valparaiso, IN

12 miMixedDog-friendly

Mountain-biking, hiking and walking trail system with an outdoor playground and bike shop.

2.9 miles away

All running trails in Valparaiso, IN →

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.