HomeWisconsinEau Claire › Northwest Park

Northwest Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 127 Google reviews · Running trail in Eau Claire, Wisconsin · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Northwest 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.

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendlyTrailhead parkingMile markers

Local natural forest featuring biking and hiking trails, including a steep, narrow path.

What runners say about Northwest Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (127 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 5 mentions

“Beautiful trail system, woods are a bit thinned out but it would be an excellent place for biking with all of the equipment they have installed on the trails.”

🪧 well-marked 2 mentions

“Cycle and ski trails, well marked I’m more of a distance cyclist and prefer paved trails like Chippewa River Trail and Old Abe.”

If you want an adventure and don't wanna travel miles upon miles, this is your spot! It's absolutely beautiful!

★★★★★ — Amanda , Sep 2022

EXCELLENT MTB trails. Signage was light, so read the map online before you go. Nasty Goat is legit

★★★★★ — Tyler , May 2024

Awesome park! The dogs loved all the trails. You can bike there, and there are x-ski trails.

★★★★★ — John , Sep 2023

Stumbled upon this place and it has become a weekly hike for our family. We usually only see one or two others if any at all. I definitely recommend bringing bug spray. I got quite a few mosquito bites the first time around... and the second time too. My 2 year old walked it by himself with very little help.

★★★★★ — Chris , Jun 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 127 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 7 mentions

“Beautiful trail system, woods are a bit thinned out but it would be an excellent place for biking with all of the equipment they have installed on the trails.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 5 mentions

“Rabbits and squirrels l, which is probably the best reason to leash your dog.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 4 mentions

“The parking area and trails are well marked and highly recommend coming during different times of the years.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 2 mentions

“excellent hard packed trail, the path had to have been painstakingly compacted which leaves great rideability between the small stones and tree-root hazards.”

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📏 Mile markers 2 mentions

“Cycle and ski trails, well marked I’m more of a distance cyclist and prefer paved trails like Chippewa River Trail and Old Abe.”

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Plan your run at Northwest 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
  • 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.
  • Websitechippewaoffroad.org
  • Phone+1 715-839-5039

Hours

Monday 4 am–11 pm
Tuesday 4 am–11 pm
Wednesday 4 am–11 pm
Thursday 4 am–11 pm
Friday 4 am–11 pm
Saturday 4 am–11 pm
Sunday 4 am–11 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 Northwest Park

729 Van Es Pkwy, Eau Claire, WI 54703

Get directions

Running trails near Eau Claire

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

Domer Park

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Park known for hiking and scenic views of a river and cliffs, plus wildlife sightings.

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Mount Simon Park

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This 49-acre park offers 2 picnic pavilions & a 9-hole disc-golf course, plus a boat landing & dock.

1.2 miles away

City Wells

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Phoenix Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 2,170 reviews

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LitScenicDog-friendly

This 9-acre riverbank park offers a walking labyrinth, picnic pavilion & year-round farmers' market.

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Carson Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,247 reviews

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Scenic

Serene lakeside park with a historic baseball stadium, kiddie train ride, local museum & playground.

2.5 miles away

All running trails in Eau Claire, WI →

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.