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Leona Canyon Regional Open Space Preserve
4.5 ★★★★★ 241 Google reviews · Running trail in Oakland, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Leona Canyon Regional Open Space 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.
A protected, wooded canyon park covering 290 acres & offering hiking, biking & nature viewing.
What runners say about Leona Canyon Regional Open Space Preserve
“Parking near Apartment complex, then Field, Forest, Creek and College-target with beautiful views on Bay Area!”
“short trials with wide open space, dog walker friendly shaded areas, not alit of parking space but never gets over whelming”
“Nice place for a quiet relaxing walk.”
“short trials with wide open space, dog walker friendly shaded areas, not alit of parking space but never gets over whelming”
One main trail with a small spur that goes up to a neighborhood. Dense coastal live oak forest with a prescriptive layer of poison oak. Popular with dog walkers and a few joggers although the trail can be rather steep for running in areas.
This is a fairly small park, consisting of one main trail of about 1.5 miles up a hill alongside a creek, and ends at the Merritt College parking lot. There are a couple of other trails leading to other residential areas. It apparently was paved a long time ago.
Just below Merritt College, this hike is a journey through, what feels like, an isolated temperate canyon land. The silence, fostered be the forested walls of the ravine, is pressing yet comforting. While there are many fellow hikers on weekends, it is fairly vacant during the week.
I love this place it's so peaceful. Calming. Challenging trail for beginners. It's one of the amazing urban green areas, But I feel people is so disrespectful for leaving dog poop bags all around. They should respect nature and other humans that take a hike there.
Trail conditions & character
“short trials with wide open space, dog walker friendly shaded areas, not alit of parking space but never gets over whelming”
“Trails (Leona canyon and Artemisia trailheads) were considered east with few steep hikes along the trail but mostly flat.”
“short trials with wide open space, dog walker friendly shaded areas, not alit of parking space but never gets over whelming”
“Parking near Apartment complex, then Field, Forest, Creek and College-target with beautiful views on Bay Area!”
“short trials with wide open space, dog walker friendly shaded areas, not alit of parking space but never gets over whelming”
“Not very well paved trail so wouldn't call it stroller friendly, but it's a fairly flat hike.”
“Trails (Leona canyon and Artemisia trailheads) were considered east with few steep hikes along the trail but mostly flat.”
“Not very well paved trail so wouldn't call it stroller friendly, but it's a fairly flat hike.”
Plan your run at Leona Canyon Regional Open Space Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- 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.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- 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.
- Websiteebparks.org
- Phone(888) 327-2757
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 5 AM–10 PM |
Running trails near Oakland
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Leona Heights Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 300 reviews
Park featuring a hiking trail with waterfalls and scenic views of Oakland.
Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 3,529 reviews
Sprawling forest featuring redwood groves & rare wildlife, plus trails, picnic areas & campsites.
Sequoia Bayview Trail Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 467 reviews
This flat, shaded trail through Sequoias with glimpses of the bay draws hikers & mountain bikers.
Roberts Regional Recreation Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 940 reviews
An 82-acre park in a stand of second-growth redwoods, popular for picnics & recreational sports.
