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Optimist Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 156 Google reviews · Running trail in Laramie, Wyoming · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Optimist 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.

Open 24hShadedDog-friendlyRestroomsTrailhead parking

River-bordered park featuring fenced areas for dogs to socialize as well as a playground.

What runners say about Optimist Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (156 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 7 mentions

“It is well kept, clean, has restrooms nearby, and is all grass!”

🌳 shaded & cool 3 mentions

“There is an overhang for owners to sit under while their dogs play, and there are a sufficient number of larger trees that provide shade for the dogs.”

There’s a nice off-leash area for dogs to socialize and a short walking trail that connects to the rest of the Greenbelt trail. There is way less traffic compared to the other parks in town which I love!

★★★★★ — Molly , Aug 2021

This dog park is so awesome! It is well kept, clean, has restrooms nearby, and is all grass! We made a quick stop during a trip and it was a large area for our dog to run around in. A few other dogs showed up as well and they were friendly and played well together.

★★★★★ — William , Aug 2020

Small but greatly maintained. Only complaint is no bags but we always bring our own... However it would eliminate some of the poop left around. Lots of dogs and fully fenced. 3 areas for them to run and play and the unfenced area is also off leash friendly.

★★★★★ — Jenn , Aug 2024

Very nice dog park - we've always seen nice dogs here, and we've never had any issues with the other dogs or dog owners. There is an overhang for owners to sit under while their dogs play, and there are a sufficient number of larger trees that provide shade for the dogs.

★★★★☆ — Rachel , Apr 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 156 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 50 mentions

“There’s a nice off-leash area for dogs to socialize and a short walking trail that connects to the rest of the Greenbelt trail.”

More trails like this →

🌳 Shaded / tree cover 3 mentions

“There is an overhang for owners to sit under while their dogs play, and there are a sufficient number of larger trees that provide shade for the dogs.”

More trails like this →

🚻 Restrooms 3 mentions

“It is well kept, clean, has restrooms nearby, and is all grass!”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking

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Plan your run at Optimist Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • 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.
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitecityoflaramie.org
  • Phone+1 307-721-5200

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

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 Optimist Park

441-533 W Garfield St, Laramie, WY 82072

Get directions

Running trails near Laramie

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

Undine Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 389 reviews

Laramie, WY

ShadedDog-friendly

Neighborhood park with picnic shelters & BBQs, plus facilities for tennis, volleyball & basketball.

under a mile away

LaBonte Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 290 reviews

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Dog-friendly

Public park offering picnic pavilions, a playground, walking trails, a pond, and a skate park.

1.1 miles away

LaPrele Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 197 reviews

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Dog-friendly

Relaxed park popular for its disc-golf course, alongside a pond where kids can fish and frisbee golf.

2.0 miles away

Pilot Hill Recreation Area Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ 23 reviews

Laramie, WY

Dog-friendly

3.0 miles away

Tie City Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 31 reviews

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Natural surfaceScenic

9.5 miles away

Happy Jack Recreation Area Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 105 reviews

Laramie, WY

Natural surfaceDog-friendly

Popular recreation area featuring mountain-biking paths, groomed trails and climbing locations.

10.2 miles away

All running trails in Laramie, WY →

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.