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Northside Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 1,537 Google reviews · Running trail in Norfolk, Virginia · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Northside 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.

Dog-friendlyTrailhead parking

This 62-acre recreation area has a skate park, an indoor pool, picnic shelters & kids' play areas.

What runners say about Northside Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (1,537 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 5 mentions

“It’s clean, spacious, and gives neighborhood park vibes with just enough peace and privacy to feel like your own personal retreat.”

Nice, clean park with tons to offer. Wide open spaces, pavilions, even a baseball field. Plus, I really enjoyed the trails that are around the park!

★★★★★ — Joshua , Jul 2022

Great local park with a skateboard ramp, basketball court, baseball field and a lot of open spaces. There are even trails to hike in the woods. Highly recommended.

★★★★★ — Dark , Mar 2025

I really like to visit this place with my family during the weekend. The children can find fun places to play hide and seek and run around and it just looks beautiful. Really enjoy taking long walks in this park.

★★★★★ — Ruby , Oct 2024

Northside Park is a hidden gem on the north side of Norfolk. It’s clean, spacious, and gives neighborhood park vibes with just enough peace and privacy to feel like your own personal retreat. There’s plenty of green space for walks, workouts, or picnics, and the basketball courts stay active with local talent.

★★★★★ — Christopher , Jun 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 1,537 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.

🐕 Dog-friendly 3 mentions

“The park is well-maintained, pet-friendly, and ideal for a quick mental reset or spending time outdoors without the heavy foot traffic of the bigger spots.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking

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Plan your run at Northside 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 trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitenorfolk.gov
  • Phone+1 757-441-5834
  • Social Facebook

Hours

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

8400 Tidewater Dr, Norfolk, VA 23505

Get directions

Running trails near Norfolk

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

Northside Park Mountain Bike Trail - Multi Use Trail

4.2 ★★★★☆ 98 reviews

Norfolk, VA

Natural surfaceDog-friendly

Skate park, baseball field and other outdoor areas with hiking trails that once served as a naval dump.

under a mile away

Monkey Bottom Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 126 reviews

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Peaceful, historic park featuring numerous oak trees and a swing set.

2.0 miles away

Bay Oaks Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 381 reviews

Norfolk, VA

ShadedDog-friendly

New, clean park featuring 2 playgrounds and an exercise area, as well as benches.

2.5 miles away

Colonial Place Greenway

4.3 ★★★★☆ 58 reviews

Norfolk, VA

Dog-friendly

Park that's especially good for kids, and features a dog park.

3.5 miles away

Lake Wright Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 29 reviews

Norfolk, VA

Crushed gravelScenic

4.6 miles away

The Glowline

4.8 ★★★★★ 18 reviews

Norfolk, VA

4.6 miles away

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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.