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Olmsted Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 802 Google reviews · Running trail in Boston, Massachusetts · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Olmsted 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.
Longtime urban park boasts trails, picnic space & athletic fields set amid ponds, meadows & forests.
What runners say about Olmsted Park
“Fantastic spot on the Charles River Walk, beautiful quiet park with well maintained trails, not very crowded.”
“The trails are beautiful, easy for anyone to do, but diverse enough to keep things interesting even after we've come here nearly every day for the last 5 months.”
“Part of the emerald ring park strip, Olmsted park is great for visiting, jogging or having a quiet picnic.”
“Fantastic spot on the Charles River Walk, beautiful quiet park with well maintained trails, not very crowded.”
“It’s dog-friendly and even has a great playground to hang out.”
Running and dog walking through Olmsted Park is a dream. It connects to the others parks that make up the emerald necklace and includes paved and unpaved trails. The best time to visit in the fall when the leaves start changing. Hardly a need to leave the city to enjoy the foliage when Olmsted is your backyard!
A lovely park with a walking trail and a pond. There were a lot of geese and ducks. A beautifully tranquil nature spot right in the heart of the city. You can find nearby granite stairs tucked away throughout the park. The trails are only for hiking, and dogs are welcome. Mountain biking is prohibited.
Truly a gem, one of several strung together to form the lush 7 mile-long "Emerald Necklace" that encircles parts of Boston and Brookline. Designed and created by the visionary landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted in the late 1800s, it is a priceless gift of conservation, an urban wonderland of green space that…
It’s always fun to take a walk here. Paths are well-maintained and views are gorgeous.
Trail conditions & character
“The trails are beautiful, easy for anyone to do, but diverse enough to keep things interesting even after we've come here nearly every day for the last 5 months.”
“Parked and walked about 2miles to Jamaica Pond beautiful lol from CA lots of people walk around even when snowing raining with there dogs cute”
“Fantastic spot on the Charles River Walk, beautiful quiet park with well maintained trails, not very crowded.”
“Parking is limited but is placed in key locations.”
Plan your run at Olmsted 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.
- Websiteboston.gov
- Phone+1 617-635-4505
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–11:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–11:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–11:30 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–11:30 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–11:30 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–11:30 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–11:30 pm |
Running trails near Boston
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Brookline Reservoir Park
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Griggs Park
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Hall's Pond Sanctuary
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3.5-acre urban park featuring a pond, formal garden & walking trail in a secluded, lush setting.