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Opossum Lake
4.6 ★★★★★ 167 Google reviews · Running trail in Carlisle, Pennsylvania · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- 4 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Opossum Lake'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 area featuring a playground, hiking trails, picnic tables, and boat ramps for fishing and kayaking.
What runners say about Opossum Lake
“It was a beautiful and rainy day to get lost in the woods for a little solitude.”
“This is a great place to go for an easy walk if you have an hour or two.”
First time to this Lake outside of Carlisle PA. We decided to take the trail around the circumference of the lake. I give a rating of 4 out of 5 stars because many times the trail went through the woods so you could not see the lake. It was a relatively flat walk and the distance walked was 3.
Me and my husband walked the loop in about 2.5 hours, the trails were easy to walk, just one or two hills that might slow you down a little if your trying to keep a steady pace. Great if you have a day off and just want to get outside somewhere new!
Mostly well-maintained trail loop with a length of around 3.5 miles. There is a lot of nature to see around the trail including birds, turtles, tortoises, fish, snakes, etc. The trail is well marked and has a good mix of both sections with a lake view and wooded sections.
Sometimes it takes awhile for the perfect conditions to arrive. But I was confident with Ophelia on her way. It was a beautiful and rainy day to get lost in the woods for a little solitude. If you haven't been here, make it a point to check it out. You won't be disappointed.
Trail conditions & character
“The trail is well marked and has a good mix of both sections with a lake view and wooded sections.”
“Mostly well-maintained trail loop with a length of around 3.”
“There is a lot of parking as well at multiple locations so that shouldn't be an issue.”
Plan your run at Opossum Lake
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- Loop distance4 mi back to where you parked
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websiteopossumlakefriends.org
- Social Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 5 AM–10 PM |
Running trails near Carlisle
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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Heberlig Palmer Park
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