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Shoal Creek Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 64 Google reviews · Running trail in Florence, Alabama · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Shoal Creek Preserve'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.
Natural area for hiking and horseback riding featuring trails that wind through forests and cross creeks and waterfalls.
What runners say about Shoal Creek Preserve
“The well-signed trails were in good condition, long stretches having Fall leaves cover and scenic.”
“It’s a well marked and maintained trail and you’ll find that the waterfalls are just around every corner.”
Great place for a hike. About 3 miles round trip. Took our 4 year old son and my husband's 70 year old grandmother. Both were able to hike it relatively well (although she's in above average shape for her age). Beautiful scenery and nice weather. A lot of ups and downs and creek crossings.
Shoals Creek Preserve is a magical place that everyone in the Quad cities should visit at least once. The atmosphere is amazing from the sounds, the smells and feeling you get while being there truly makes the mantra of "Stay Wild" really hit home!
Great place to go hiking! I went on a Wednesday morning, and there was nobody else at the preserve. Hikes are easy to moderate, watch your footing with the many roots protruding in the trail. Trails are well marked and easy to follow. Don't blink or you might miss the turn off into the preserve.
This is a nice place to hike. There is a foot trail as well as a riding trail for horses. The foot trail is divided into two halves, which are each a little over two miles, with over four miles of hiking altogether that is slightly hilly. The creek is lovely. Not too many people on the trails. Easy-moderate hike.
Trail conditions & character
“It’s a well marked and maintained trail and you’ll find that the waterfalls are just around every corner.”
“23 ~06:45, we (Abby & me) were the 2nd to arrive and parked at the Shoal Creek Nature Preserve parking.”
“It’s a well marked and maintained trail and you’ll find that the waterfalls are just around every corner.”
“Hikes are easy to moderate, watch your footing with the many roots protruding in the trail.”
Plan your run at Shoal Creek Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- 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 — reported by runners
- Websitealabamaforeverwild.com
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–9 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.
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