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Simpson Park
3.8 ★★★★☆ 63 Google reviews · Running trail in Albany, Oregon · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Simpson 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.
Park with a public restroom featuring kid-friendly hiking trails and a biking trail.
What runners say about Simpson Park
“Next to it is the beautiful talking water gardens and those are worth seeing too.”
“I love that the spots feel private and there is plenty of shade.”
I recently took a walk along the Simpson Trail at Simpson Park in Albany, Oregon. The trail is 2.36 miles round-trip along the Willamette River. There is an amazing pond there to you could pop a kayak into on a beautiful day.
Simpson park is a good place to go for a walk or run along the Willamette River, at least most of the year. The trail can get muddy in the winter and that is never any fun. Simpson park is shared a parking lot with the Talking Gardens, another place to walk, run, or ride a bicycle. 🚴🏾
Kind of muddy this time of year, main trail seems wide and flat. Wouldn’t go in there alone at night. Easy kayak access.
Simpson park is beautiful. You can visit talking waters park, which is right next to the parking lot, or go hiking on the two mile trail if you would rather explore a little more.
Trail conditions & character
“Nice place for a walk, but do keep an eye out for agressive off leash dogs, happens too often at this park.”
“I love that the spots feel private and there is plenty of shade.”
“Next to it is the beautiful talking water gardens and those are worth seeing too.”
“You can visit talking waters park, which is right next to the parking lot, or go hiking on the two mile trail if you would rather explore a little more.”
“The trail can get muddy in the winter and that is never any fun.”
“Restrooms are available and tons of space to walk your dog or just explore!”
Plan your run at Simpson Park
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.
- 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.
- Websitecityofalbany.net
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–11 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–11 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–11 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–11 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–11 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–11 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–11 pm |
Running trails near Albany
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Talking Water Gardens
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Eades Park
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Bowman Park
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Albany Dog Park at Timber Linn Park
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Lakeside park featuring three fenced-in dog runs and an unfenced area for off-leash play next to the water.
Timber Linn Memorial Park
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Grassy park featuring a veterans memorial, athletic fields & a playground, plus a lake for fishing.
Kinder Park
4.3 ★★★★☆ 502 reviews
Recreational oasis featuring a colorful children's playground, grassy fields & a baseball diamond.