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Rod Mills Park
4.3 ★★★★☆ 84 Google reviews · Running trail in Jackson, Michigan · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Rod Mills 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.
Sprawling park featuring multiple ball fields and a dog park, plus a playground and shelters.
What runners say about Rod Mills Park
“Looked like lots of nice ball fields and a clean dog park, but we didn’t use those amenities on this visit.”
Our Family Reunion has been held at Rod Mills Park for the last 12 years. Because of the beautiful secluded area and the large covered Pavilion with picnic tables and electric outlets and running water! Plenty of parking (one of our "long distance" relatives drives their motorhome).
Quaint little park, off the road a little bit. Only bad thing I would say is the mosquitos that can accumulate here due to this park sets back in a wooded area, otherwise it's a nice spot to have a birthday, picnic or just let the Rugrats run free. Also you could see a few deer roaming around.
Loved the wide open spaces, huge hill, and playground equipment. Looked like lots of nice ball fields and a clean dog park, but we didn’t use those amenities on this visit. Bathrooms were pit toilets, very clean. Would like to see more trails through the property.
This park is pretty good, although it’s deserted everytime I go there. The dog park is just a patch of grass, no trees, no shade for pups, and nothing interesting like obstacles. It’s just meh.
Trail conditions & character
“There are bathrooms on site also along with benches and plenty of picnic tables to sit and enjoy the beautiful outdoors with or with your family.”
“Pavilions and grills for picnics, a nice enclosed dog park, playground equipment for the kids, and plenty of space for exploration.”
“Plenty of parking (one of our "long distance" relatives drives their motorhome).”
“It is very spacious, the grass is lush, there are shade trees and charming old school playground equipment around.”
“Great park, has a playground, and nice clean bathrooms that are wheelchair accessible.”
Plan your run at Rod Mills 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.
- Websiteblackmantwp.com
- Phone(517) 788-4345
Hours
| Monday | 8 AM–3:40 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM–10 PM |
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Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Sparks Foundation County Park
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