HomeNevadaReno › Oxbow Nature Study Area

Oxbow Nature Study Area

4.7 ★★★★★ 161 Google reviews · Running trail in Reno, Nevada · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Oxbow Nature Study Area'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.

LoopScenicRestroomsQuiet

Well-loved locale featuring hiking trails, a pond, river access and educational plaques.

What runners say about Oxbow Nature Study Area

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (161 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 8 mentions

“Oxbiw nature study area off Dickerson Rd in Reno is a beautiful place to walk , run or hike or just walk with your dogs .”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 3 mentions

“Truly peaceful and beautiful, i love how well maintained its been throughout the years.”

👟 good for all levels 2 mentions

“Well done, easy access, easy walkabout on the trails.”

Beautiful slice of paradise with kid friendly walking areas . Beautiful scenery and wildlife. There are bathrooms. Trail is easy. There are benches throughout the trail if you need to rest. Very Informational!

★★★★★ — Tori , Dec 2024

The Oxbow Nature Study Area is a great place for a short hike along the Truckee River. There are about 3/4 of a mile of trails in the area, a pond, some small wetlands, and views of the Truckee River. Best to visit in the spring when the landscape is vibrant.

★★★★★ — Brendan , Jun 2022

Well done, easy access, easy walkabout on the trails. W/ the loop about .86 miles. Can get pretty muddy, note*** NO DOGS are allowed. Had to come back w/o mine to visit it.

★★★★☆ — Jordan , Jan 2022

It's a great place to almost escape to nature. It brings a fair amount of visitors yet there's still enough outside privacy to make out with your other person if you will ...

★★★★★ — Rosebud , Apr 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 161 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 8 mentions

“Oxbiw nature study area off Dickerson Rd in Reno is a beautiful place to walk , run or hike or just walk with your dogs .”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 3 mentions

“Truly peaceful and beautiful, i love how well maintained its been throughout the years.”

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🔁 Loop trail 2 mentions

“We didn't spend a lot of time here, but the shirt stroll around the small loop trail was a nice get-away from Reno and the desert.”

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🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

“Also there are public restrooms and various look out decks.”

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Plan your run at Oxbow Nature Study Area

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 trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
  • Websitendow.org
  • Phone+1 775-334-2417
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 8 am–8 pm
Tuesday 8 am–8 pm
Wednesday 8 am–8 pm
Thursday 8 am–8 pm
Friday 8 am–8 pm
Saturday 8 am–8 pm
Sunday 8 am–8 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 Oxbow Nature Study Area

3100 Dickerson Rd, Reno, NV 89503

Get directions

Running trails near Reno

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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Mayberry Park

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All running trails in Reno, NV →

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.