HomeLouisianaPonchatoula › Ponchatoula Area Recreation District 1

Ponchatoula Area Recreation District 1

4.7 ★★★★★ 540 Google reviews · Running trail in Ponchatoula, Louisiana · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Ponchatoula Area Recreation District 1'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.

ScenicRestrooms

Native trees stud 90 acres with a walking path, pond, playgrounds & sports facilities, plus a gym.

What runners say about Ponchatoula Area Recreation District 1

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (540 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 10 mentions

“I found the gym to be very clean, well lit, and temperature very comfortable.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“There's alot to do out here, a huge playgrounds, extensive walking paths, beautiful dock and pond for fishing and just overall relaxing.”

Best park in the area, hands down. I live the walking path and the pond. It also has a very nice playground area for kids. And there is an indoor track as well. It's Great! Update: Just saw the fireworks show on the 4th of July, and it was amazing! Must see!!!

★★★★★ — Dawn , Jul 2024

Wife and I saw a post on fishing spots app where a member was posting fish he had caught in their fishing lake in the park. So we had to visit a see for ourselves. We had to park by the Gym and walk about 50 yards to get to the fishing lake. The park is incredibly clean and well kept.

★★★★★ — Greg , Apr 2024

Very nice facility. Looked new and Clean. Had a nice running track on a second level. We were there for a karate tournament and there were like a thousand people in there and it was very comfortable. I would highly recommend this venue for someone interested in hosting an event or show

★★★★★ — Kevin , Nov 2018

Nice place. If fishing, be careful. There could be a gator hanging out like this one. He was hauled away but he wasn't scared of me and a kid can walk up on him.

★★★★☆ — Gregory , Apr 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 540 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 7 mentions

“There's alot to do out here, a huge playgrounds, extensive walking paths, beautiful dock and pond for fishing and just overall relaxing.”

More trails like this →

🚻 Restrooms 3 mentions

“Its nice having the indoor walking track if its a super hot day and having access to the AC'd bathrooms after fishing the pond for a couple hours.”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Ponchatoula Area Recreation District 1

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.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
  • Websitepard1.com
  • Phone(985) 370-7273

Hours

Monday 6:30 AM–6:30 PM
Tuesday 6:30 AM–6:30 PM
Wednesday 6:30 AM–6:30 PM
Thursday 6:30 AM–6:30 PM
Friday 6:30 AM–6:30 PM
Saturday 6:30 AM–6:30 PM
Sunday 6:30 AM–6:30 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 Ponchatoula Area Recreation District 1

19030 Ponchatoula Parks Dr, Ponchatoula, LA 70454

Get directions

Running trails near Ponchatoula

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

Zemurray Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 865 reviews

Hammond, LA

LitScenicDog-friendly

Neighborhood park featuring a playground, a pond, baseball, a gazebo, a skate park & more.

4.0 miles away

Cate Square Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 609 reviews

Hammond, LA

Dog-friendly

Public park with swings, slides, and other play equipment, plus picnic tables.

4.3 miles away

North Oak Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 251 reviews

Hammond, LA

ShadedDog-friendly

Softball stadium on the campus of Southeastern Louisiana University, with play equipment & a path.

5.7 miles away

Joyce Wildlife Management Area

4.4 ★★★★☆ 341 reviews

Ponchatoula, LA

BoardwalkScenic

A wooden walkway winds through picturesque swampland at this natural area with local flora & fauna.

6.0 miles away

Lake Ramsay Preserve

4.3 ★★★★☆ 24 reviews

Covington, LA

Scenic

15.0 miles away

Nose Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 71 reviews

Covington, LA

ScenicDog-friendly

Waterfront amusement area with a playground and picnic tables, along with a fishing pier.

17.8 miles away

All running trails in Ponchatoula, LA →

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.