HomeWisconsinOak Creek › Root River Parkway | South

Root River Parkway | South

4.2 ★★★★☆ 58 Google reviews · Running trail in Oak Creek, Wisconsin · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Root River Parkway | South'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.

Mixed

Green stretch with walking & biking trails, sand volleyball courts, playground & an archery range.

What runners say about Root River Parkway | South

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (58 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

Very Scenic Walking and Biking Path. Tried this path for the first time yesterday and I liked it so much, I came back again today. This path runs north to south. I entered the path near Nicholson Rd. and County Line Road, the dividing line between Milwaukee and Racine Counties.

★★★★☆ — Steven , May 2017

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 58 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.

🛣️ Paved surface 2 mentions

“it is a paved asphalt path in Milwaukee County and a dirt trail in Racine county.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 2 mentions

“The Root River might be a fairly small river, but it's always been a beautiful one.”

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Plan your run at Root River Parkway | South

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.
  • Websitecounty.milwaukee.gov
  • Phone+1 414-257-7275

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

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 Root River Parkway | South

E Elm Rd, Oak Creek, WI 53154

Get directions

Running trails near Oak Creek

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

Oak Creek Parkway Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 106 reviews

Oak Creek, WI

Dog-friendly

Play area with swings and a slide, plus a hill popular for sledding.

2.2 miles away

Fitzsimmons Walking Trails

4.7 ★★★★★ 26 reviews

Oak Creek, WI

ScenicDog-friendly

3.3 miles away

Oakwood Cliff And Trails

4.8 ★★★★★ 40 reviews

Oak Creek, WI

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

3.5 miles away

Bender Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 698 reviews

Oak Creek, WI

ScenicDog-friendly

Dog-friendly park near Lake Michigan offering a sandy beach, hiking trails and picnics.

3.7 miles away

Emerald Preserve Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 69 reviews

Oak Creek, WI

Scenic

Nature preserve offering kid-friendly hikes, and plenty of wildlife including turtles.

3.7 miles away

Lake Vista Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 527 reviews

Oak Creek, WI

ShadedScenic

Lakeside park with a pier, bike trails, a pavilion, a playground and plenty of seating.

3.8 miles away

All running trails in Oak Creek, WI →

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.