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McElroy Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 107 Google reviews · Running trail in Ellensburg, Washington · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from McElroy 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.

PavedShadedScenicDog-friendlyStroller / ADAWaterQuiet

Park featuring trails and picnic tables, plus facilities for dogs.

What runners say about McElroy Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (107 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 5 mentions

“This is a very well kept, clean place to bring my kids and walk the dog.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 5 mentions

“They also loved the hundreds of beautiful dandelions this spring and the giant field of snow last winter.”

🌳 shaded & cool 3 mentions

“I often don't stay long because I've seen shady people and interactions a few too many times.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 3 mentions

“Peaceful and pretty--it's pretty much just a big dandelion field with a paved trail around it.”

This is a sweet little park with a lovely history of gifting to the City of Ellensburg from the McElroy family who owned the property at one point. It has a nice mix; a short trail around the grassy field and through a riparian reach of Wilson Creek. I'm a birder and the variety was good during spring migration.

★★★★☆ — Dawn , Jun 2022

This is a beautiful place! It has trails to walk lots of spacious grass to play on and picnic tables. There's a "hidden" grove for children to explore with a tiny stream running through. Altogether a wonderful place for a family outing.

★★★★★ — Sarah , Oct 2020

Nice little park, has a fun little nature trail area. I wouldn't bring kids here after 8 or 9pm though, it's a popular spot for teens smoking weed.

★★★★☆ — Kevin , Jul 2024

Nice open park with a few trails, Ellensburg is a pretty pet friendly city. Please pick up after your dog, bags and garbage courtesy of the city.

★★★★★ — Jeff , Nov 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 107 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.

🐕 Dog-friendly 10 mentions

“It is a lovely place to walk your dog and there is a paved, track sized cicle to walk yourself!”

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🏞️ Scenic views 6 mentions

“They also loved the hundreds of beautiful dandelions this spring and the giant field of snow last winter.”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 3 mentions

“I often don't stay long because I've seen shady people and interactions a few too many times.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 3 mentions

“Peaceful and pretty--it's pretty much just a big dandelion field with a paved trail around it.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 2 mentions

“It is a lovely place to walk your dog and there is a paved, track sized cicle to walk yourself!”

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🚰 Water fountains

“Has a port-a-potty and some water fountains alon with benches to sit at.”

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Stroller / ADA accessible

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Plan your run at McElroy Park

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.
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • At the trailheadwater — 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.
  • Websiteci.ellensburg.wa.us
  • Phone+1 509-962-7211
  • Social Facebook

Hours

Monday 12–7:59 am, 8 am–12 am
Tuesday 12–7:59 am, 8 am–12 am
Wednesday 12–7:59 am, 8 am–12 am
Thursday 12–7:59 am, 8 am–12 am
Friday 12–7:59 am, 8 am–12 am
Saturday 12–7:59 am, 8 am–12 am
Sunday 12–7:59 am, 8 am–12 am

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 McElroy Park

1611 Brick Rd, Ellensburg, WA 98926

Get directions

Running trails near Ellensburg

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

North Alder Street Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 31 reviews

Ellensburg, WA

PavedDog-friendly

under a mile away

Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 16 reviews

Ellensburg, WA

Crushed gravelLitScenic

under a mile away

Paul Rogers Wildlife Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 65 reviews

Ellensburg, WA

LoopMixedScenicDog-friendly

Quiet, 20-acre park, formerly a horse pasture, featuring trails through native plants and trees.

under a mile away

Palouse to Cascades state park trail (John Wayne trail)

4.7 ★★★★★ 3 reviews

Ellensburg, WA

1.3 miles away

Mountain View Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 258 reviews

Ellensburg, WA

Natural surfaceShadedDog-friendly

Community park providing a playground, picnic shelter, athletic courts/fields & open green space.

1.5 miles away

West Ellensburg Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 199 reviews

Ellensburg, WA

ShadedDog-friendly

Relaxed outdoor space for playing frisbee, baseball or soccer. Free-range dogs, too.

2.0 miles away

All running trails in Ellensburg, 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.