HomeCaliforniaLos Alamitos › Little Cottonwood Park

Little Cottonwood Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 352 Google reviews · Running trail in Los Alamitos, California · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Little Cottonwood 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.

Natural surfaceDog-friendlyRestroomsWaterTrailhead parkingQuiet

The grounds include sand volleyball courts, picnic shelters, BBQs, playgrounds & a basketball court.

What runners say about Little Cottonwood Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (352 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 10 mentions

“The entire place is very clean and well maintained, with plenty of green areas, shaded spots, and walking paths to relax and enjoy the outdoors.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 4 mentions

“A very beautiful and peaceful park, perfect for spending quality time with family and kids.”

👟 good for all levels 2 mentions

“The atmosphere feels safe, calm, and family-friendly.”

My toddler loves the playground here. Plenty of picnic tables and benches. The walking path is absolutely beautiful. Its a great place to wak/run laps. The play equipment is very nice. Its always clean and its definitely maintained well. There is an area for small kids and another play area for the older kids.

★★★★★ — Amanda , Aug 2021

Nice Family Friendly park with lots of green space! Walking path around the park. Kids play areas, two (2). Basketball Courts. Baseball/Softball field. Pavilions for parties. Free Parking. Dogs allowed if On Leash, and You Pick up After them, although Not a Dog Park.

★★★★★ — Diane , Dec 2017

A very beautiful and peaceful park, perfect for spending quality time with family and kids. The entire place is very clean and well maintained, with plenty of green areas, shaded spots, and walking paths to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

★★★★★ — Gabriel , May 2026

Little Cottonwood Park is a great place for kids and adults alike! It has a large open grassy area, and fun structures for kids to run and play on/around! It is very well kept, clean and safe all at the same time. The kids are friendly as well as the parents...definitely a must come too for the entire family!

★★★★★ — Christian , Oct 2017

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 352 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.

🚻 Restrooms 5 mentions

“Basketball courts, huge grassy field, nice walking path, fun structures, covered tables in two areas, grills and clean nice restrooms.”

More trails like this →

🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 3 mentions

“We love this little park even more now that they replaced the wood chips.”

More trails like this →

🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

“The court is really close to the parking lot which is not my preference, but can't complain cause only my husband would actually play on it not my girls.”

More trails like this →

🐕 Dog-friendly 3 mentions

“Dogs allowed if On Leash, and You Pick up After them, although Not a Dog Park.”

More trails like this →

🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 3 mentions

“A very beautiful and peaceful park, perfect for spending quality time with family and kids.”

More trails like this →

🚰 Water fountains

“They also have a drinking fountain.”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Little Cottonwood Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • 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, water — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitecityoflosalamitos.org
  • Phone+1 562-430-1073

Where to find Little Cottonwood Park

4000 Farquhar Ave, Los Alamitos, CA 90720

Get directions

Running trails near Los Alamitos

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

Coyote Creek Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 10 reviews

Los Alamitos, CA

1.1 miles away

Nature Park

3.9 ★★★★☆ 29 reviews

Cypress, CA

Nature park, open seasonally & by reservation, known for its tranquil surrounds & trails.

1.3 miles away

El Dorado East Regional Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 5,724 reviews

Long Beach, CA

PavedScenicDog-friendly

Expansive outdoor area with fishing lakes, bike trails, camping, an archery range & a nature center.

1.6 miles away

Evergreen Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 234 reviews

Cypress, CA

Shaded

Clean green space featuring a playground, baseball fields and picnics.

2.2 miles away

Crescent Trailhead | Coyote Creek

4.6 ★★★★★ 19 reviews

Lakewood, CA

2.8 miles away

Mackay Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 483 reviews

Cypress, CA

Shaded

Neighborhood park with a children's playground, basketball court, picnic tables, and restrooms.

2.9 miles away

All running trails in Los Alamitos, CA →

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.