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Morrison Rockwood State Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 581 Google reviews · Running trail in Morrison, Illinois · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Morrison Rockwood State 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.

Open 24hScenicDog-friendly

Nearly 1,200 acres of green space with hiking & camping, plus boating & fishing on Lake Carlton.

What runners say about Morrison Rockwood State Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (581 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 5 mentions

“The park has lovely trails, a beautiful lake, and well-maintained campsites.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 10 mentions

“Beautiful park with large mature trees, lake, fishing piers, and 30 AMP electrical service.”

A beautiful and neat park with long trails. There is a large and clean camping area with very nice hosts. There is also a little restaurant where you may get some basic food including vanilla ice cream. The lake is pretty but not too big. Walking around it, I walked 22,000 steps and my wife's step count was 25,000.

★★★★★ — Piotr , Sep 2023

Stunning state park in Morrison, Illinois. This time of the year is gorgeous 🌮🍂🏕️. Excellent spot for camping in northwest Illinois. Highly recommended for all walks of life. Close to i88 🛣️. Lake Carlton is a nice place to relax and appreciate nature.🐞🐝🦅🦆🐿️.

★★★★★ — Ramin , Oct 2022

Loved hiking here and wish I was staying in the campground so I could kayak the lake. There’s a restaurant open till October 31st. Not a person on the trail with us and as you can see fall is really showing off right now

★★★★★ — Marcelle , Oct 2024

The park has lovely trails, a beautiful lake, and well-maintained campsites. We recommend it to anyone looking for a fun outdoor adventure!

★★★★★ — Hope , Apr 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 581 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 11 mentions

“Beautiful park with large mature trees, lake, fishing piers, and 30 AMP electrical service.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 2 mentions

“I didn't realize it was such a busy spot and our dogs love people so it was fun to keep them at bay to say the least.”

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Plan your run at Morrison Rockwood State Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • 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.
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitednr.illinois.gov
  • Phone(815) 772-4708
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

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 Morrison Rockwood State Park

18750 Lake Rd, Morrison, IL 61270

Get directions

Running trails near Morrison

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

Eagle Point Park Castle

4.7 ★★★★★ 65 reviews

Clinton, IA

3 miScenic

Large stone structure with stairs to the top for river views, plus basketball and volleyball courts.

11.2 miles away

Eagle Point Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,028 reviews

Clinton, IA

3 miPavedShadedScenic

Park with bluffs overlooking the river, plus a historic lodge & castle turret open for stair climbs.

11.4 miles away

Eagle Point Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 81 reviews

Clinton, IA

3 miScenicDog-friendly

Scenic park with picnic areas and playgrounds, plus scenic Mississippi views.

11.5 miles away

Soaring Eagles Natures Center

4.2 ★★★★☆ 26 reviews

Clinton, IA

Scenic

11.5 miles away

Eberley Park

5 ★★★★★ 6 reviews

Sterling, IL

Dog-friendly

12.6 miles away

Kilgour Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 292 reviews

Sterling, IL

5 miLitDog-friendly

Big park featuring basketball and tennis courts as well as a wooden playground, plus a dog run.

13.9 miles away

All running trails in Morrison, IL →

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.