HomeAlabamaHartselle › Sparkman Park

Sparkman Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 420 Google reviews · Running trail in Hartselle, Alabama · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Sparkman 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.

PavedShadedLit at nightScenicDog-friendlyRestroomsTrailhead parking

Picnic-friendly local spot with a dog-friendly attitude, featuring walking trails and an 18-hole disc-golf course.

What runners say about Sparkman Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (420 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“Very well kept and lots of area to wander around and enjoy the outdoors.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 6 mentions

“Several different rec options like swings, baseball/softball, soccer, pavilions to rent, walking trails, frisbee golf, stream, fishing, and beautiful natural backgrounds for pics.”

🌳 shaded & cool 3 mentions

“They have a swimming pool, they have a walking trail around a lake, they have a beautiful picnic with lots of huge shade trees, they have playgrounds for children.”

👟 good for all levels 2 mentions

“Great family-friendly park.”

Public bathrooms, extensive walking trail, frisbee golf, a brand new fishing pond, several covered pavilions with seating, one with built in cooking areas (grills), picnic areas scattered around the park with standalone grills.

★★★★☆ — Kimbolinarino , Nov 2018

The children's playground park is intended for little kids so my son was a little big for it but he really enjoy the Wide Open Spaces to run and be able to play and they have things set up for disc golf that was really interesting had nice walking trails it was just a very beautiful while taking care of Park

★★★★☆ — Sarah , May 2019

Sparkman Park is a very thought out Park in the middle of Hartselle, Alabama, that you unless your local you don't even know it's there. When I was a kid I used to go to Sparkman Park and it was nothing like it is today. The city of Hartselle has done an amazing job developing that area for their community.

★★★★★ — Brigette , Aug 2025

This park is amazing! Two well marked, fun disc golf courses, walking track that goes on and on and... , Stocked fishing pond with biting fish, active ball fields, very well groomed for guys and gal ball, aquatic center that is truly a gem. But most importantly, the people are incredibly friendly .

★★★★★ — Neetarneet , May 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 420 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.

🏞️ Scenic views 7 mentions

“Several different rec options like swings, baseball/softball, soccer, pavilions to rent, walking trails, frisbee golf, stream, fishing, and beautiful natural backgrounds for pics.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 4 mentions

“Plenty of parking and usually centrally located restrooms.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 4 mentions

“Lots of people and dogs enjoying the space.”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 3 mentions

“They have a swimming pool, they have a walking trail around a lake, they have a beautiful picnic with lots of huge shade trees, they have playgrounds for children.”

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🚻 Restrooms 3 mentions

“Plenty of parking and usually centrally located restrooms.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 2 mentions

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💡 Lit for night running

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Plan your run at Sparkman 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.
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitehartselle.org
  • Phone(256) 773-2581

Hours

Monday 5 AM–10 PM
Tuesday 5 AM–10 PM
Wednesday 5 AM–10 PM
Thursday 5 AM–10 PM
Friday 5 AM–10 PM
Saturday 5 AM–10 PM
Sunday 5 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 Sparkman Park

1102 Madison St SW, Hartselle, AL 35640

Get directions

Running trails near Hartselle

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

Sparkman Park Hartselle, AL

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1.0 miles away

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Diverse wildlife and boardwalks through a swamp attract visitors to this national reserve.

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BoardwalkScenic

35,000-acre area offers habitat for endangered wildlife, nature trails, a visitor center & fishing.

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All running trails in Hartselle, AL →

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.