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Sanders Mound Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 71 Google reviews · Running trail in Lawrence, Kansas · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Sanders Mound Trail'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.

MixedScenicWaterQuiet

Many trails to explore this natural area by foot or bike.

What runners say about Sanders Mound Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (71 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“So beautiful and such good place to hike explore and just enjoy nature”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 6 mentions

“The scenery is so beautiful and it's very peaceful and quiet!”

👟 good for all levels 3 mentions

“Easy walk with a couple short inclines.”

Awesome sunset views over the whole lake. Follow the concrete trail to the feces, then the trail bifurcates right and left. Both ways will get you up to the top!

★★★★★ — Luke , Sep 2025

This lake has some great trails, lots of nice camping areas, and bring your boat and bicycle.

★★★★★ — Venus , Jun 2021

Easy walk with a couple short inclines. Beautiful view from the top especially at sunset. Trail leads through prairie grasses and flowers, with a good variety of birds to serenade.

★★★★★ — Dale , Jul 2018

Lots of trails to explore the area and enjoy Clinton Lake. It was a bit busy on the trail up to Sander's Mound but with patience you will reach the top and it will be worth it.

★★★★☆ — M.K. , Sep 2017

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 71 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 15 mentions

“So beautiful and such good place to hike explore and just enjoy nature”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 5 mentions

“The scenery is so beautiful and it's very peaceful and quiet!”

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🛣️ Paved surface 3 mentions

“Follow the concrete trail to the feces, then the trail bifurcates right and left.”

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🚰 Water fountains

“Wish they have more water fountains available.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 2 mentions

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Plan your run at Sanders Mound Trail

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 trailheadwater — reported by runners
  • Websitenwk.usace.army.mil
  • Phone(785) 843-7665

Hours

Monday 8 AM–10 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

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 Sanders Mound Trail

Lawrence, Kansas

Get directions

Running trails near Lawrence

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

North Shore Trails Trailhead

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Hawk Trail Race

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Serene park with an extensive trail system, hosting races and outdoor activities.

under a mile away

Clinton State Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 1,618 reviews

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Crushed gravelScenic

Playgrounds, disc golf, boating, swimming & camping plus native flora, fauna & nature trails.

1.4 miles away

Pat Dawson Billings Nature Area

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Lawrence, KS

Crushed gravelDog-friendly

42 acres of floodplain area offering several fishing ponds for public use & tall native grasses.

2.7 miles away

Conrad & Viola McGrew Nature Preserve

4.3 ★★★★☆ 33 reviews

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2 miPaved

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Lawrence Nature Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 157 reviews

Lawrence, KS

Natural surfaceDog-friendly

Secluded conservation area featuring unpaved woodland walking trails & native wildlife.

4.1 miles away

All running trails in Lawrence, KS →

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.