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Pat Dawson Billings Nature Area
4.6 ★★★★★ 91 Google reviews · Running trail in Lawrence, Kansas · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Crushed gravel
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Pat Dawson Billings Nature 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.
42 acres of floodplain area offering several fishing ponds for public use & tall native grasses.
What runners say about Pat Dawson Billings Nature Area
its a good looking couple of ponds with a nice gravel road to walk your dog. ! The sign at the entrance says the pond is stalked with walleye, large mouth and channel cats....... I've gone fishing ouut there a dozen times and never even had a bite. But nature sure is neat. #NeaTure
Just checked it out this evening but we will be back when we have time to hike the trail by the pond. This is a hidden gem where you can just sit and enjoy nature at it's best.
A nice clean nature park. Nice walking trail and tall grass prairie. I see lots of people walking dogs. Has 2 largish ponds but fishing is usually pretty slow.
You can fish here. Good quite place to walk your dogs. Trails around that area also
Trail conditions & character
“Moving south along the narrow gravel road, you feel like you're out in a remote prairie.”
“its a good looking couple of ponds with a nice gravel road to walk your dog.”
Plan your run at Pat Dawson Billings Nature Area
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceCrushed gravel — the rail-trail classic: softer than asphalt, still smooth enough for tempo 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.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitelawrenceks.org
- Phone(785) 832-3450
- Social Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6:30 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 6:30 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 6:30 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 6:30 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 6:30 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 6:30 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 6:30 AM–10 PM |
Running trails near Lawrence
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Naismith Valley Park
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Baker University Wetlands
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Sanders Mound Trail
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Many trails to explore this natural area by foot or bike.
Hawk Trail Race
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