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Paradise Creek

4.5 ★★★★★ 341 Google reviews · Running trail in Portsmouth, Virginia · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Boardwalk
Distance
2 mi
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Paradise Creek'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.

Boardwalk2 miScenicStroller / ADATrailhead parking

Marsh, wooded park featuring walking paths, a kayak launch, a playground and picnic benches.

What runners say about Paradise Creek

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (341 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 4 mentions

“Well maintained Nature trails, with mostly native plants.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 6 mentions

“A great place to learn about conservation/ restoration, and a great place for a relaxing walk in a beautiful natural space.”

The splendor of this park is overwhelming! Truly breathtaking. Such diversity in flora and fauna, pollinators and bugs! The sounds of the varied species of birds singing was soul soothing. So much hard work has gone into creating this oasis.

★★★★★ — Kelleigh , Jun 2022

Been taking my pup here since we got her, she loves it ❤️. Seems like a lot of work and care goes into this park and their gardens. Short trails but good loop to do multiple times. Good place forbidding and interactive and educational for kids. Also, has a playground!

★★★★★ — Paige , Mar 2025

Very nice!!!...another great walking trail to explore...great vistas...super cool for the kiddies and doggies...lol

★★★★☆ — Terri , Mar 2022

A great place to learn about conservation/ restoration, and a great place for a relaxing walk in a beautiful natural space. Loads of mulberry, raspberry, beautiful flowers, butterflies, dragonflies. I learn something new each time I visit!

★★★★★ — Jon , Aug 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 341 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 10 mentions

“A great place to learn about conservation/ restoration, and a great place for a relaxing walk in a beautiful natural space.”

More trails like this →

Stroller / ADA accessible 5 mentions

“An easily accessible kayak launch, children's park, marked paths to meander, educational/informational signage & posts and a covered picnic area!”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 2 mentions

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🪵 Boardwalk

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Plan your run at Paradise Creek

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceBoardwalk — flat and scenic, and slick when wet, so watch your footing
  • Distance2 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.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websiteparadisecreek.elizabethriver.org
  • Phone(757) 399-7487
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 7 AM–7 PM
Tuesday 7 AM–7 PM
Wednesday 7 AM–7 PM
Thursday 7 AM–7 PM
Friday 7 AM–7 PM
Saturday 7 AM–7 PM
Sunday 7 AM–7 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 Paradise Creek

Giant Cement Dr, Portsmouth, VA 23702

Get directions

Running trails near Portsmouth

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

Paradise Creek Nature Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 594 reviews

Portsmouth, VA

2 miBoardwalkScenicDog-friendly

Restored wetlands on the Elizabeth River with nature & fitness trails, a kayak launch & picnic area.

under a mile away

Cannonball Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 7 reviews

Norfolk, VA

3.4 miles away

Oak Grove Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,851 reviews

Chesapeake, VA

1.5 miLoopShadedScenic

This 65-acre outdoor activity place has a 1.5-mi. path around a lake, plus benches & a playground.

4.0 miles away

Deep Creek Lock Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 427 reviews

Chesapeake, VA

Natural surfaceShadedScenic

25 acres of waterfront woods with a canoe launch, volleyball courts, picnic shelters & a play area.

4.1 miles away

Portsmouth City Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 2,121 reviews

Portsmouth, VA

ScenicDog-friendly

Urban waterfront park boasts a golf course & range, tennis courts, playgrounds & landscaped gardens.

4.1 miles away

Port Norfolk Beach Reflection Walk

4.5 ★★★★★ 141 reviews

Portsmouth, VA

Scenic

Straightforward hiking area with water views, a gazebo, and benches.

4.2 miles away

All running trails in Portsmouth, VA →

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.