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Purcell Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 918 Google reviews · Running trail in Harrisonburg, Virginia · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Purcell 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.

MixedRestroomsTrailhead parking

A 67-acre urban park with trails, baseball fields, tennis courts, picnic shelters & a playground.

What runners say about Purcell Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (918 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 4 mentions

“The park is well maintained and it also has a great walking path (good for strollers too).”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 3 mentions

“Beautiful park with various trails to get your cardio in.”

Perfect stop off 81 for the kids. This playground is something designed by a genius with twisting tunnels, slides, stairs, and even mirrors. I had to drag the kids away. The park also offers lush grass fields, a gravel track/path, baseball fields, and nice bathrooms.

★★★★★ — B , Jul 2022

Beautiful park with various trails to get your cardio in. And a huge wooden castle for the kids to roam and play in

★★★★★ — Willie , May 2024

Nice trails for walking, jogging. The playground castle/fort is awesome for kids to climb and play on. The tennis courts, baseball/softball fields look ready for spring season.

★★★★☆ — T , Feb 2022

This is a very fun park! Medieval themed playground with lots of fun surprises to find. Great walking path & clean bathrooms. Just an awesome park.

★★★★★ — Jennifer , Jul 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 918 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.

🚻 Restrooms 10 mentions

“There's a restroom too but since it's almost Winter, there was a portable toilet outside the restroom building.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 2 mentions

“Parking us plentiful with multiple paved lots.”

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🪨 Crushed gravel / limestone 2 mentions

“The park also offers lush grass fields, a gravel track/path, baseball fields, and nice bathrooms.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 2 mentions

“It has a tennis court, playground that looks like a wooden castle, picnic area, plenty of parking lots.”

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Plan your run at Purcell 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
  • 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, restrooms — reported by runners
  • Websiteharrisonburgva.gov
  • Phone+1 540-432-7701
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 7:30 am–5:30 pm
Tuesday 7:30 am–5:30 pm
Wednesday 7:30 am–5:30 pm
Thursday 7:30 am–5:30 pm
Friday 7:30 am–5:30 pm
Saturday 7:30 am–5:30 pm
Sunday 7:30 am–5:30 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 Purcell Park

41 Monument Ave, Harrisonburg, VA 22801

Get directions

Running trails near Harrisonburg

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

Hillandale Park

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Biking Trail

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The Trails at Mill Place

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Park with a paved trail, picnic pavilions, a pond, and fishing opportunities.

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Turk Mountain Trailhead

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2.5 miNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Kid- and dog-friendly hiking trail with views and a moderate level of difficulty.

21.2 miles away

Gypsy Hill Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,602 reviews

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LoopLitScenicDog-friendly

214-acre park featuring a mini-train, a pool, sports facilities, a pond, a playground & more.

21.5 miles away

Reservoir Hill Park

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ScenicDog-friendly

Compact park featuring a picnic area and ballfield, plus overlooking the city.

21.7 miles away

All running trails in Harrisonburg, 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.