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Shillito Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,481 Google reviews · Running trail in Lexington, Kentucky · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Shillito 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.

PavedDog-friendlyRestroomsWater

Sports & recreation park on 176 acres with athletic fields & courts plus a swimming pool.

What runners say about Shillito Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (1,481 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“One of the most beautiful and well-maintained parks in Kentucky in my opinion!”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 3 mentions

“One of the most beautiful and well-maintained parks in Kentucky in my opinion!”

A nice park for a snowy stroll with dog. It was interesting to watch the locals play disc golf. Edit: Now that the snow is gone, we've found the long, paved trail around this huge park that takes an hour to walk. Shilito park is a great place to catch the sunset.

★★★★★ — Pamela , Mar 2021

Nice park, lots of open space and a good walking/bike path around the perimeter.

★★★★☆ — Dave , Oct 2022

Nice large park with walking/running path. First time visiting this park, and it's quite beautiful. Cicada season!🙃😂 Large playground, swimming pool, softball, baseball, soccer, tennis. Plenty of shelters that can be reserved, and space to spread out. 😀 Great park! 👌🏾

★★★★★ — Joyce , Jun 2025

Expansive park with an aquatic center, tennis courts, disc golf, walking trail, lots of shelters, baseball field, and of course, an awesome playground. It has lots of tunnels and nooks and crannies for kids to hide in. Lots of spinning parts and some high slides.

★★★★★ — Mary , May 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 1,481 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 4 mentions

“Nice spacious park with lots to do and they have on site bathrooms.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 4 mentions

“Wonderful to bring the family or even just taking your dog for a peaceful nature walk.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 2 mentions

“Edit: Now that the snow is gone, we've found the long, paved trail around this huge park that takes an hour to walk.”

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🚰 Water fountains 2 mentions

“There also is a water fountain for drinking or for filling up water bottles.”

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Plan your run at Shillito Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • 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, water — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitelexingtonky.gov
  • Phone+1 859-288-2900

Hours

Monday 8 am–8 pm
Tuesday 8 am–8 pm
Wednesday 8 am–8 pm
Thursday 8 am–8 pm
Friday 8 am–8 pm
Saturday 8 am–8 pm
Sunday 8 am–8 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 Shillito Park

300 W Reynolds Rd, Lexington, KY 40503

Get directions

Running trails near Lexington

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

Higbee Mill Park

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Park offering picnic tables and amenities for walking, soccer, and meditation.

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Belleau Woods Park

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Quiet, clean, grassy park offering picnic areas and a playground, plus hiking trails.

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Lansdowne Merrick Park

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Park with walking trails (plus tennis, picnic and BBQ areas) for all ages.

2.3 miles away

Southpoint Park

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Garden Springs Park

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Green space with basketball courts, picnic tables, a playground and a walking path, plus trees.

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Harrods Hill Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 229 reviews

Lexington, KY

PavedShaded

12.5-acre park with a playground & hiking/biking paths, plus athletic fields/courts & picnic tables.

2.6 miles away

All running trails in Lexington, KY →

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.