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Morton Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 325 Google reviews · Running trail in Charleston, Illinois · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Morton 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.

Restrooms

Community park featuring a playground, baseball diamond, picnic pavilion & public restrooms.

What runners say about Morton Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (325 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 5 mentions

“Pretty clean and well maintained playground and bathrooms, overall felt safe.”

Morton Park is host to Charleston's annual Red, White, and Blue Days festival on July 3rd and 4th. It has lots space to play, cook out, and has 4 party pavilions. Plenty of playground equipment.

★★★★☆ — Mandy , Oct 2020

This park is the best in Charleston. It contains many pavilions for gatherings, and also a wealth of playground equipment for kids. It's also within walking distance of quite a few restaurants (although this being Charleston, they're all fast food or pizza places).

★★★★★ — Stormy , Jun 2019

Horseshoe field, Baseball field, playground for the kiddies. Good also for taking a walk and visiting. Large covered area for groups and meetings of all types. Highly recommended.

★★★★★ — Don , Jul 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 325 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.

🚻 Restrooms 6 mentions

“Pretty clean and well maintained playground and bathrooms, overall felt safe.”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Morton 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.
  • At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
  • Websitecharlestonillinois.org
  • Phone(217) 345-4812

Hours

Monday 8 AM–9 PM
Tuesday 8 AM–9 PM
Wednesday 8 AM–9 PM
Thursday 8 AM–9 PM
Friday 8 AM–9 PM
Saturday 9 AM–9 PM
Sunday 9 AM–9 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 Morton Park

1215 Division St, Charleston, IL 61920

Get directions

Running trails near Charleston

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

Woodyard Conservation Area

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The Whiteside Garden

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Lincoln Prairie Grass Trail Eastern Terminus

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Warbler Ridge Conservation Area: North Trailhead

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3.0 miles away

4.1 miles away

Fox Ridge State Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 606 reviews

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Natural surfaceShadedScenicDog-friendly

Scenic 2,064-acre park with hiking trails through wooded ridges & valleys, plus camping & fishing.

6.2 miles away

All running trails in Charleston, 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.