Home › Delaware › Newark › Middle Run Valley Natural Area
Middle Run Valley Natural Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 448 Google reviews · Running trail in Newark, Delaware · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Middle Run Valley 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.
850-acre state park offering 10 trails over 16 miles, plus the historic John C. Vansant house
What runners say about Middle Run Valley Natural Area
“A beautiful 860 acre park in New Castle County.”
Pleasant well worn, dirt paths winding through old growth poplars & beeches. Good for hikers or bikers. If you incl the sections that venture out into the open pastures you can put in over 4 mi. Otherwise, stay in the shade on the Lapare trail (yellow) and it'll be 3.
Super flowy, good intermediate trail, some trails run by flowing streams ,would go again
A beautiful 860 acre park in New Castle County. There are over 10 miles of trails for hiking and bike riding. This park adjoins White Clay Creek State Park and its many miles of trails. Middle Run has a trail designed for birding.
Love this spot. So many trails you could wander forever. Great for birdwatching and hiking .
Trail conditions & character
“There is no restrooms and there's no playground for the little ones but there are some hiking trails and decent amount of parking but it a really chill place.”
“Very nice clean trails nice creek great place to walk and with dogs had alot of fun went here again today it's quiet nice trails so many different ones”
Plan your run at Middle Run Valley Natural Area
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- 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
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Trail mapOfficial trail map
- Websitedelawarenaturesociety.org
- Phone+1 302-395-5606
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 8:30 am–5 pm |
| Tuesday | 8:30 am–5 pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30 am–5 pm |
| Thursday | 8:30 am–5 pm |
| Friday | 8:30 am–5 pm |
| Saturday | 8:30 am–5 pm |
| Sunday | 8:30 am–5 pm |
Running trails near Newark
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
William M. Redd, Jr. Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 90 reviews
Well-maintained park for walking and biking on paved and dirt trails, plus dense forest and a reservoir loop.
Paper Mill Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 622 reviews
Clean, active park featuring tennis and basketball courts and a playground.
White Clay Creek Pedestrian Bridge
4.8 ★★★★★ 70 reviews
Peaceful park featuring a paved trail that leads to a river, suitable for walking, biking, and hiking.
