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Mills Canyon Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 171 Google reviews · Running trail in Burlingame, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- 1.5 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Mills Canyon 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.
Public park featuring an unpaved hiking trail loop through forestland with a creek.
What runners say about Mills Canyon Park
“At the high elevation point, there is a beautiful vista.”
“peaceful nature stroll with mild descent/elevation depending on which way you hike.”
OK. This is not a trail that you can just stroll about and take it easy. Parts of the trail are easy but most of it is narrow and one needs to pay attention. Having said that, this is a quiet park and nature abounds. Enjoyed a lot. Couple of spots where one can get nice views of the Bay.
What a gem hidden away in the residential hills of Burlingame. In an instant, you are transported to a different world almost. It's amazing how isolated and serene the ~1.25 mile trail feels and all you hear is birds, rustling leaves, and the wind.
Nice quiet place with a loop trail. Mostly in the shade with parts near a small creek. Very pleasant.
A nice little park that has a loop trail about 1.5 miles in length. The trail follows the top of the canyon and loops down to follow the creek in the lower canyon. The upper canyon had an overlook with east facing views towards the bay. This trail has great natural scenery and is a great little hiking area.
Trail conditions & character
“It's a fun hike and after you get exposed to the warm sun you then descend down the loop to a shaded area with a creek where you cool off.”
“peaceful nature stroll with mild descent/elevation depending on which way you hike.”
“It has an abundance of trees, plants, wildlife and the view isn't bad either!”
“peaceful nature stroll with mild descent/elevation depending on which way you hike.”
“Bring your dogs or kids or go solo, it's a fun escape in an otherwise built up neighborhood.”
“If you're planning on heading to the park in the wet season, make sure to wear walking/hiking shoes with some grip as areas tend to get muddy.”
“This short wooded hike is not difficult, perfect for young kids, and once you find it the first time, it's not so hard to get to and enjoy.”
Plan your run at Mills Canyon Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- Loop distance1.5 mi back to where you parked
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Phone(650) 558-7319
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–6 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–6 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–6 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–6 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–6 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–6 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–6 PM |
Running trails near Burlingame
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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Pet-friendly park featuring a track, a skate park and fitness equipment, plus trails for hiking and dog-walking.
Josephine Waugh - Soroptimist Park
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