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Mariners' Lake Natural Area

4.6 ★★★★★ 276 Google reviews · Running trail in Newport News, Virginia · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Mariners' Lake Natural Area'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.

LoopScenicQuiet

Wooded conservation area on a reservoir with a hiking & biking trail also popular for boating.

What runners say about Mariners' Lake Natural Area

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (276 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“Beautiful park for hiking and mountain biking in the heart of Newport News”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 3 mentions

“Good ups and downs, peaceful, only came across one other person, dog friendly.”

Fantastic hidden gem. Lots of trail areas that we didn't find the first few times. Keep going until you at least find the bamboo!! Spectacular!!

★★★★★ — Dolores , Dec 2020

Nice hike. Good ups and downs, peaceful, only came across one other person, dog friendly.

★★★★★ — Massive , Aug 2024

Beautiful park for hiking and mountain biking in the heart of Newport News

★★★★★ — Forrest , Nov 2021

Love it here, great place to get away from city life for a minute without having to drive too far. Trail is great for running or just come to feed the ducks or turtles. You'll find other runners and hikers there pretty much year round.

★★★★★ — Jason , Feb 2017

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 276 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 7 mentions

“Beautiful park for hiking and mountain biking in the heart of Newport News”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 3 mentions

“Good ups and downs, peaceful, only came across one other person, dog friendly.”

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🔁 Loop trail 2 mentions

“1'15" full loop at typical pace.”

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Plan your run at Mariners' Lake Natural Area

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.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • Websitennparksandrec.org
  • Phone+1 757-926-1400
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 7 am–8 pm
Tuesday 7 am–8 pm
Wednesday 7 am–8 pm
Thursday 7 am–8 pm
Friday 7 am–8 pm
Saturday 7 am–8 pm
Sunday 7 am–8 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 Mariners' Lake Natural Area

1698 Gatewood Rd, Newport News, VA 23601

Get directions

Running trails near Newport News

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

The Noland Trail

4.9 ★★★★★ 349 reviews

Newport News, VA

5 miLoopScenicDog-friendly

Wooded and scenic 5-mile trail featuring turtles and lake views, plus bridges.

under a mile away

Huntington Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 2,796 reviews

Newport News, VA

LitScenic

3.2 miles away

Riverview Farm Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,592 reviews

Newport News, VA

LoopPavedScenicDog-friendly

Walking trails & large playground, along with picnic areas, a skate park & a seasonal sledding hill.

3.4 miles away

Kiln Creek Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 491 reviews

Tabb, VA

Dog-friendly

4.2 miles away

Matteson Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ 170 reviews

Hampton, VA

3 miLoopMixedShaded

Paved trail for biking or running that winds around a golf course and is shaded in spots.

4.4 miles away

Chatham Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 114 reviews

Newport News, VA

ShadedScenicDog-friendly

Peaceful park featuring a walking trail that circles a pond and lake.

4.9 miles away

All running trails in Newport News, VA →

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.