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Oak Grove Nature Center
4.6 ★★★★★ 107 Google reviews · Running trail in Manchester, Connecticut · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Oak Grove Nature Center'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.
Housed in a 52-acre nature preserve, this center has exhibits about the flora & fauna of the area.
What runners say about Oak Grove Nature Center
“Oak Grove is a beautiful place for a tranquil stroll but depending on the time of year you might want to bring some bug repellent.”
“The place has plenty of vegetation, a short loop and it's nice for an easy hike.”
My kids enjoy this short loop hike that is perfect for young ones. There is a little stream along the trail as you begin. The trail leads to stairs down to a walking covered bridge crossing the stream. The loop goes around the pond over bridges, up and down stairs and into a wooded area.
Love this place, tucked away in suburbia...a hidden gem. The trails are quite nice, well groomed and scenic in places. You can walk more than two miles here if you do both loop trails separately. Most everything is in the woods, a great place to be on a hot summer day.
Oak Grove is a beautiful place for a tranquil stroll but depending on the time of year you might want to bring some bug repellent. With that being said, this place has a little bit of everything.
Very green and calming place to get your mind right. Super clean different trails to explore. I loved it, my first time here and not my last🙏🏻💪🏼😁
Trail conditions & character
“Oak Grove is a beautiful place for a tranquil stroll but depending on the time of year you might want to bring some bug repellent.”
“The place has plenty of vegetation, a short loop and it's nice for an easy hike.”
“The trails are soft, somewhat hilly, meandering and occasionally wet and or muddy.”
“Nice little hike/walk, easy in most spots, some parts of the trails were very muddy/swamp like it probably dries up in warmer weather.”
Plan your run at Oak Grove Nature Center
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.
- Websitelutzmuseum.org
- Phone(860) 643-0949
Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Saturday | 12–5 PM |
| Sunday | 12–5 PM |
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