HomeWashingtonAnacortes › Little Cranberry Lake: A Avenue Trailhead

Little Cranberry Lake: A Avenue Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ 93 Google reviews · Running trail in Anacortes, Washington · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Not reported

Confirmed from Little Cranberry Lake: A Avenue Trailhead'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 surfaceLoopScenicHillyTrailhead parking

Hiking area with forested trails, including a loop around Cranberry Lake, and swimming.

What runners say about Little Cranberry Lake: A Avenue Trailhead

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (93 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 5 mentions

“Gorgeous in the fall and also a great hike for the rainy days because it is mostly covered.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 3 mentions

“Some Malard ducks, a very calm setting with little or no wind very protected.”

Hmmm, at first this place seemed magnificent, and the trails system is labeled on every intersection.... yet the map itself i thought would be at each major entrance, but it is not. Enjoy this wonderful expanse of forest but bring a map that can be found online.

★★★★☆ — Bj , Mar 2022

Well-maintained trail (city forest land, only some of it okay for wheel-chair, walker, or stroller) with clear signage (walkers, bicyclists, horses, motor-dirt bikes or some portion of each). There are two largish ponds there, one (little cranberry) completely covered with water lilies (?

★★★★★ — Cj , Aug 2020

Lots of fun trails. Gorgeous in the fall and also a great hike for the rainy days because it is mostly covered. And those cedars smell divine in the rain !! Signs are confusing so download the map. I stuck with 10 and got lost a bit when I decided to take 203 down by the water.

★★★★★ — Kristin , Nov 2021

The trails are very well maintained and the parking lot is easy to access. The trails are also very well marked and their are signs for what can and cant go on certain trails (horses, motorcycles, bicycles, or hikers)

★★★★☆ — Addison , Sep 2018

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 93 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 5 mentions

“Gorgeous in the fall and also a great hike for the rainy days because it is mostly covered.”

More trails like this →

🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 3 mentions

“If you do run, the eastern trail around the lake has more roots and rocks and the ability to run is limited.”

More trails like this →

🔁 Loop trail 3 mentions

“But next time I was thinking 10 split at13 because I know that hits 10 again for a nice loop or press on because I will know my bearings.”

More trails like this →

⛰️ Hills / elevation 3 mentions

“The leg workout is perfect up hill and down hill so you have time to rest inbetween hills .”

More trails like this →

🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

“Parking is limited at the east lot (10-15 spots), but usually there are a couple empty spots even on weekends.”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Little Cranberry Lake: A Avenue Trailhead

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 — reported by runners

Where to find Little Cranberry Lake: A Avenue Trailhead

37th St &, A Ave, Anacortes, WA 98221

Get directions

Running trails near Anacortes

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

Anacortes Community Forest Lands North

4.7 ★★★★★ 44 reviews

Anacortes, WA

Scenic

Expansive park network encompassing over 2,800 acres of wetlands, meadows, forests & lakes.

under a mile away

Cranberry Lake Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 126 reviews

Anacortes, WA

LoopNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Trail-lined lake popular for hiking, biking, swimming and kayaking.

1.1 miles away

Kiwanis Meadows

4.8 ★★★★★ 27 reviews

Anacortes, WA

1.4 miles away

Sugarloaf Mountain Trailhead

4.6 ★★★★★ 117 reviews

Anacortes, WA

LoopScenicDog-friendly

Hiking spot with several trails that vary from flat to steep.

1.7 miles away

Tommy Thompson Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ 13 reviews

Anacortes, WA

ScenicDog-friendly

1.9 miles away

Cap Sante Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,090 reviews

Anacortes, WA

Scenic

37-acre wooded parkland offering hiking trails, wildlife & elevated vistas of the marina.

2.3 miles away

All running trails in Anacortes, WA →

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.