HomeSouth DakotaBrandon › McHardy Park

McHardy Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 216 Google reviews · Running trail in Brandon, South Dakota · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from McHardy 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.

Lit at nightScenicStroller / ADARestroomsWaterTrailhead parking

Relaxed park with playground equipment and a sand base, fishing and a river.

What runners say about McHardy Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (216 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 4 mentions

“Very clean and serene nothing much to look at Right now with everything still being brown but it is very quiet good walking path”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“I looked around the scenic overlook and veterans section of McHardy Park in Brandon SD.”

Definitely one of the nicest parks I've been to. Especially during the winter time, it has one of the biggest hills to go sledding down. There's also an additional separate part on the right if you take the bridge. If you cross that little walk bridge as well, there's a huge open area. And I mean HUGE.

★★★★★ — Randomersif8678 , Jan 2025

Nice pleasant park with playground for the kids, picnic area for family gathering, fishing in the river and plenty of room to walk the dog. Very clean and well maintained.

★★★★★ — John , Jun 2023

I looked around the scenic overlook and veterans section of McHardy Park in Brandon SD. It's a nice little area. The people of Brandon should be proud.

★★★★☆ — Steve , Apr 2022

We spent a wonderful fall day at McHardy Park. It was a relaxing afternoon walking at the river's edge enjoying the colors of Fall.

★★★★★ — Janet , Oct 2018

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 216 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 8 mentions

“I looked around the scenic overlook and veterans section of McHardy Park in Brandon SD.”

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💡 Lit for night running

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🚻 Restrooms

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🚰 Water fountains

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🅿️ Trailhead parking

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Stroller / ADA accessible

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Plan your run at McHardy 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.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websitebrandon.govoffice.com
  • Phone+1 605-582-2373
  • Social Facebook

Hours

Monday 7 am–11 pm
Tuesday 7 am–11 pm
Wednesday 7 am–11 pm
Thursday 7 am–11 pm
Friday 7 am–11 pm
Saturday 7 am–11 pm
Sunday 7 am–11 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 McHardy Park

721 McHardy Rd, Brandon, SD 57005

Get directions

Running trails near Brandon

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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LoopNatural surfaceShaded

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Good Earth State Park

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All running trails in Brandon, SD →

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.