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Southern Lites Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 89 Google reviews · Running trail in Happy Valley, Oregon · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Southern Lites 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.

PavedStroller / ADARestroomsQuiet

Creek-side neighborhood park (no longer with a playground) featuring a basketball court, a short trail and picnic tables.

What runners say about Southern Lites Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (89 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“This is a clean, quiet park with a playground, small basketball court, picnic tables, and short path to a bridge and creek.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 6 mentions

“Quiet litte spot with a small kids park, basketball court and hiking trails that lead to a small stream that you can put your feet in.”

Beautiful creek walk with a graveled and at some parts, wooden path. Cool bridge goes over the creek. Interesting houses and backyards on the hill above. No parking lot but don't be afraid to park on the side of the road across from the park entrance.

★★★★☆ — Vince , Apr 2018

This is a clean, quiet park with a playground, small basketball court, picnic tables, and short path to a bridge and creek. I enjoyed my time here.

★★★★★ — T , Jul 2017

Nice quiet little neighborhood park. Small playset good for young kids, hiking trail along a stream.

★★★★★ — Dan , Apr 2022

Nice park....they have a play set for kids to play on. Nice walking path as well. No bathrooms

★★★★★ — American_Patriot , Apr 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 89 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.

🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 6 mentions

“Quiet litte spot with a small kids park, basketball court and hiking trails that lead to a small stream that you can put your feet in.”

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Stroller / ADA accessible 4 mentions

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🛣️ Paved surface 2 mentions

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🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

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Plan your run at Southern Lites 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 — reported by runners
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.

Hours

Monday 6 am–9:30 pm
Tuesday 6 am–9:30 pm
Wednesday 6 am–9:30 pm
Thursday 6 am–9:30 pm
Friday 6 am–9:30 pm
Saturday 6 am–9:30 pm
Sunday 6 am–9:30 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 Southern Lites Park

12088 SE 117th Ave, Happy Valley, OR 97086

Get directions

Running trails near Happy Valley

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

Ella V Osterman Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 33 reviews

Happy Valley, OR

under a mile away

Mount Scott Nature Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 110 reviews

Happy Valley, OR

LoopCrushed gravelScenicDog-friendly

Park featuring kid-friendly hiking trails through forested hills.

under a mile away

Mount Talbert Nature Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 974 reviews

Clackamas, OR

4 miLoopMixedScenic

Tree-covered 4-mile trail network ranging from paved, ADA-accessible routes to steep footpaths.

1.1 miles away

Pfeifer Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 213 reviews

Clackamas, OR

Natural surface

Playground for toddlers, plus a basketball court, a soccer, and a football field.

1.4 miles away

Happy Valley Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,978 reviews

Happy Valley, OR

BoardwalkDog-friendly

Summer concerts lure locals to this green locale boasting multiple picnic shelters & sports spaces.

1.5 miles away

Altamont Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 313 reviews

Happy Valley, OR

Scenic

Kid-friendly green space equipped with swings and slides for children.

1.8 miles away

All running trails in Happy Valley, OR →

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.