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Palmer Lake Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 431 Google reviews · Running trail in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Distance
3 mi
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Palmer Lake 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.

Mixed3 miScenicDog-friendlyQuiet

Lakeside park with wildlife, picnic tables & paved pathways for hikers & bikers.

What runners say about Palmer Lake Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (431 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“Palmers Lake Trail is a great trail for a bike ride or walk, clean, clear trail with only a single occational water obstacle to encounter.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 5 mentions

“They also have a small pond that have geese and ducks in them, making it an even more beautiful scenery.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 3 mentions

“A beautifully peaceful park for biking and walking.”

Very nice park with ball fields, tennis courts, and a basketball court. New playground equipment and several picnic tables. Very nice paved walking path around the lake. I walk around the ballpark area. Keep your eyes open, and you'll probably see some eagles and lots of other birds.

★★★★★ — Patti , Jun 2023

Lots of beautiful wild wetlands, as well as parks soccer fields, and mixed use areas. 2.9miles of various walking pathes. Well cared for. I loved it. 😁😁😍😍🤗🤗🤗

★★★★★ — Christine , Jul 2017

I love this place. It's clean and peaceful and the trail is amazing. I had a couple deer following me one afternoon: creeped me out for a moment when they ran up behind me but when I turned around they walked right up to me so close I could see my reflection in their eyes.

★★★★★ — Barbara , Jan 2023

I love the trails that they have for people to walk on. They even have a small ice rink outside during the winter. you can also bring your dogs to the park. They also have a small pond that have geese and ducks in them, making it an even more beautiful scenery. You will enjoy yourself at Palmer lake Park.

★★★★★ — Twin , Mar 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 431 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.

🛣️ Paved surface 9 mentions

“Wood chips mark the inner trails which all connect one back to the asphalt trail.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 6 mentions

“They also have a small pond that have geese and ducks in them, making it an even more beautiful scenery.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 3 mentions

“Me and my wife my son and our dog have been here multiple times and we absolutely love it.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 3 mentions

“A beautifully peaceful park for biking and walking.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 2 mentions

“You also have the option to take a series of trails that aren't paved, but are still easy to walk on because they're maintained well with wood chips.”

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Plan your run at Palmer Lake Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • Distance3 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitecityofbrooklyncenter.org
  • Phone+1 763-569-3400

Hours

Monday 7 am–10 pm
Tuesday 7 am–10 pm
Wednesday 7 am–10 pm
Thursday 7 am–10 pm
Friday 7 am–10 pm
Saturday 7 am–10 pm
Sunday 7 am–10 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 Palmer Lake Park

2800 69th Ave N, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430

Get directions

Running trails near Brooklyn Center

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

Palmer Lake Environmental Nature Area

4.5 ★★★★★ 123 reviews

Brooklyn Center, MN

PavedDog-friendly

Popular wooded park featuring multiple playgrounds plus miles of paved and unpaved trails for walking and biking.

under a mile away

West Palmer Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 45 reviews

Brooklyn Center, MN

Public park offering athletic courts and fields, plus a children's playground.

under a mile away

Evergreen Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 161 reviews

Brooklyn Center, MN

Lit

Grass-covered playground and sports fields at a school with friendly students.

under a mile away

Centennial Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 404 reviews

Brooklyn Center, MN

Scenic

Scenic green space featuring archery, baseball, softball, tennis, a playground & picnic shelters.

under a mile away

Shingle Creek Trail Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 19 reviews

Brooklyn Park, MN

PavedDog-friendly

1.0 miles away

Brookdale Park & Dog Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 272 reviews

Brooklyn Park, MN

Natural surfaceLitDog-friendly

Sprawling dog park featuring ponds, a baseball field, plus a playground, picnic tables and walking trails.

1.4 miles away

All running trails in Brooklyn Center, MN →

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.