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Pen Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 695 Google reviews · Running trail in Charlottesville, Virginia · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Pen 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.
280-acre city park offering a golf course, sports fields, picnic areas & a nature trail.
What runners say about Pen Park
“It’s clean, welcoming, and gives you a true taste of local outdoor life—ideal for visitors wanting a relaxing, low-key stop.”
“Beautiful park with amazing playthings for kids of all ages!”
“The trees create shade over both play areas and seating.”
“Beautiful park with amazing playthings for kids of all ages!”
Pen Park is a must-visit when you’re in Charlottesville! This spacious, family-friendly park offers shaded walking trails, a fantastic playground (with separate areas for little ones and older kids), tennis courts, and picnic spots perfect for a quick lunch.
If you are going on the walking trails make sure you watch for black snakes. They are some long bois. They will either watch you walk away or cross before you. The park itself is huge and even has a place for handicapped people to exercise and sadly that’s where all the snakes hang out.
Very nice park something for everyone tennis courts, walking/exercise trails, softball and baseball fields, playgrounds etc. They have picnic tables spread out in the park and public bathrooms if you want to have a picnic.
As far as city parks go, this one is pretty excellent. Lovely grounds, great amenities, the playground is quite excellent and the upkeep was exceptional. One star off because the nature trails are lackluster and the upkeep there was marginal. A great place to spend an afternoon with kids, not a great place for a hike.
Trail conditions & character
“They have picnic tables spread out in the park and public bathrooms if you want to have a picnic.”
“The trees create shade over both play areas and seating.”
“A children's park with an Golf Court attached, the view is awesome during summer and Fall.”
“Nice playground, clean restrooms, dog friendly park and plenty of picnic tables and benches.”
“Plenty of parking, free entry and port-a-potty on site.”
Plan your run at Pen Park
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.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — 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.
- Websitecharlottesville.gov
- Phone+1 434-970-3589
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–10 pm |
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