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Southwood Nature Preserve

4.5 ★★★★★ 79 Google reviews · Running trail in North St Paul, Minnesota · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Southwood Nature 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.

Modest nature park featuring trails for hiking.

What runners say about Southwood Nature Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (79 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 4 mentions

“Well maintained paths through natural beauty!”

Well maintained paths through natural beauty! Walking quietly, see if you can see deer and owls! Just a block from where North Saint Paul borders Maplewood and Oakdale, where those communities also have some of their nature preserves almost bordering Southwood Nature Preserve!

★★★★★ — Robert , Jun 2022

Nice little nature preserve in North St. Paul. It's fairly small - just a little path around a pond tucked back in behind some neighborhoods, but the paths are maintained and kept clean, and it's a nice, short walk while surrounded by trees.

★★★★☆ — Bob , Apr 2017

Nice park, wide trails, well maintained. Several Eagle Scout projects located within it.

★★★★★ — Dean , Sep 2021

Great place to take a walk and shoot films! Not to far from home as well.

★★★★★ — Summer , Oct 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 79 reviews →

Plan your run at Southwood Nature Preserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • 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.
  • Websitenorthstpaul.org
  • Phone(651) 747-2400
  • Social Facebook

Hours

Monday 7 AM–10 PM
Tuesday 7 AM–10 PM
Wednesday 7 AM–10 PM
Thursday 7 AM–10 PM
Friday 7 AM–10 PM
Saturday 7 AM–10 PM
Sunday 7 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 Southwood Nature Preserve

2651 Holloway Ave E, North St Paul, MN 55109

Get directions

Running trails near North St Paul

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

Goose Pond Park

3.9 ★★★★☆ 43 reviews

Oakdale, MN

under a mile away

Oakdale Nature Preserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 455 reviews

Oakdale, MN

LoopPavedScenicDog-friendly

Scenic, wooded park featuring trails for walking & biking, plus courts for tennis & basketball.

1.1 miles away

Goodrich Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 169 reviews

Maplewood, MN

Kids' playland featuring baseball fields and picnic tables as well as slides and swings.

1.3 miles away

Bethke Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 12 reviews

Oakdale, MN

1.5 miles away

Northdale Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 72 reviews

Oakdale, MN

Park featuring soccer and baseball fields plus a playground and picnic tables.

1.7 miles away

Casey Lake Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 622 reviews

North St Paul, MN

MixedScenic

Grassy lakefront park, popular for picnics, equipped with baseball fields, a playground and walking paths.

1.7 miles away

All running trails in North St Paul, MN →

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.