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Lodato Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 145 Google reviews · Running trail in Scotts Valley, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Lodato 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.
Park with forest trails that are good for moderate hikes with kids or dogs.
What runners say about Lodato Park
“Moderate trail with ups and downs, but dog-friendly and so beautiful.”
“Beautiful scenery and a nice shady microclimate.”
Great short hike perfect for kids took me and my 6 year old less than an hr. Has plenty of parking on parking lot, we where here on Saturday and wasn't to full. The only downside is that you see dog poop on the trail and in some places you can smell it is. Is not the park fault.
Easy tail, mostly shaded. It takes less than an hour to complete the loop, good if you live within a short driving distance. We saw deer near the parking lot at the start of the trail.
Beautiful place! Top tip - don't take the scary steep looking path thinking that's part of the loop. Go straight on and it's a much safer journey to the same place
Nice short trail, not too difficult. Went a few days after rain and had a great time looking at a huge variety of mushrooms!
Trail conditions & character
“The only downside is that you see dog poop on the trail and in some places you can smell it is.”
“Moderate trail with ups and downs, but dog-friendly and so beautiful.”
“Has plenty of parking on parking lot, we where here on Saturday and wasn't to full.”
“It takes less than an hour to complete the loop, good if you live within a short driving distance.”
“Beautiful scenery and a nice shady microclimate.”
“Due to these latter, there's no vista point in the park, even with all the elevation gain on the trails.”
“Narrow trail; not accessible for wheelchairs, walkers, strollers, etc.”
Plan your run at Lodato Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- 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.
- Websitescottsvalley.gov
- Phone(831) 438-3251
Hours
| Monday | 8 AM–6 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–6 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–6 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–6 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–6 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–6 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM–6 PM |
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Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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