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Lilly Nature Center

4.7 ★★★★★ 121 Google reviews · Running trail in West Lafayette, Indiana · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Lilly Nature Center'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.

PavedScenic

Educational center offering environmental programs, natural history exhibits & a birdwatching area.

What runners say about Lilly Nature Center

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (121 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“This is a gorgeous bog with awesome wildlife, beautiful wildflowers, and great scenery.”

👟 good for all levels 2 mentions

“Lots of neat hands on things for children of all ages,2-99.”

The celery bog is a great place to walk. Not crowded and nice views. Clean restrooms. Saw a bunch of turtles.

★★★★★ — Steve , May 2023

Love this place. Can get swampy but it's beautiful to walk . Most beautiful singing birds. In nature's lap

★★★★★ — Vivek , Jun 2019

The celery bog has beautiful trails with picturesque views of the unique ecosystem. If you need a break after your hike, the Lilly Nature Center is a fantastic resource for learning more about this area’s wildlife.

★★★★★ — Sarah , Jul 2019

Beautiful nature center with great activities for kids inside. There is a large window for bird watching. They have a microphone outside linked to a speaker inside so you can hear the birds that you are watching. There are paved and natural walking trails (I believe the paved trail might be a bike path?

★★★★★ — Kristina , Feb 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 121 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 9 mentions

“This is a gorgeous bog with awesome wildlife, beautiful wildflowers, and great scenery.”

More trails like this →

🛣️ Paved surface 2 mentions

“There are paved and natural walking trails (I believe the paved trail might be a bike path?”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Lilly Nature Center

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.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • Websitewestlafayette.in.gov
  • Phone+1 765-775-5172

Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 10 am–5 pm
Thursday 10 am–5 pm
Friday 10 am–5 pm
Saturday 10 am–5 pm
Sunday 1–5 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 Lilly Nature Center

1620 Lindberg Rd, West Lafayette, IN 47906

Get directions

Running trails near West Lafayette

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

Celery Bog Nature Area

4.8 ★★★★★ 679 reviews

West Lafayette, IN

PavedScenic

A 105-acre natural wetland area on a former vegetable farm with thriving wildlife & nature center.

under a mile away

Cason Family Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 111 reviews

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PavedShadedScenicDog-friendly

under a mile away

McCormick Woods Trail

4.5 ★★★★★ 29 reviews

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LoopNatural surfaceShaded

under a mile away

Trailhead Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 72 reviews

West Lafayette, IN

LitDog-friendly

Park featuring picnic tables and multiple walking trails that head off in various directions.

1.1 miles away

Purdue Cross Country Course

4.5 ★★★★★ 6 reviews

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1.2 miles away

Cumberland Park South Shelter

4.6 ★★★★★ 290 reviews

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Dog-friendly

Park with trails, ball fields and a basketball court, plus a farmers market.

1.2 miles away

All running trails in West Lafayette, 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.