Home › California › Napa › Oxbow Preserve
Oxbow Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 50 Google reviews · Running trail in Napa, California · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Oxbow Preserve'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.
What runners say about Oxbow Preserve
“beautiful park with a nice path that takes you down to the river and a view point of oxbow stage!”
“The place is peaceful with scenic views, birds chirping and squirrels doing their own things.”
beautiful park with a nice path that takes you down to the river and a view point of oxbow stage! however don’t be fooled by the photos of rhinos. i came here specifically to find the rhinos and looked all over the park (they are on the right side if you’re facing the park from the parking lot) just to find it was a…
Cool little loop to hike/walk. Peaceful along the river. I took my Onewheel and had a blast hitting the trails. Probably did about 8 different loops while my wife walked it about 2-3 times.
It's a nice park to take a short walk near the river. There's a point you can walk to with a little beach but it's not easy to get down to. There were some people fishing there and we say kayakers on the river. The Rhino statue is on someone's property next to the park. There is no public restroom or tables to eat.
Ran into this place by coincidence. We needed a place to walk after lunch at the Oxbow Market. They are very close to each other. It is an easy walk with a marked trail and even a few spots to sit. We saw a few people walking their dogs. We didn't see any restrooms.
Trail conditions & character
“beautiful park with a nice path that takes you down to the river and a view point of oxbow stage!”
“4 stars because NOBODY PICKS UP AFTER THEIR DOGS.”
“Nice small preserve, great for when you want to go on a small walk that is mostly paved and flat.”
“The place is peaceful with scenic views, birds chirping and squirrels doing their own things.”
Plan your run at Oxbow Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- 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
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
Running trails near Napa
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Trancas Crossing Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 160 reviews
Small park with trails for walking, running, biking, and dog walking.
Shurtleff Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 134 reviews
Grass and shade abound at this large dog park featuring areas for running and socializing.
Westwood Hills Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 495 reviews
Home to the Carolyn Parr Nature Museum, this park also has miles of trails through groves & meadows.
Skyline Wilderness Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 1,263 reviews
Wilderness park offering hiking, biking & equestrian trails, camp sites & a native plant garden.
