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Sportsmans Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 70 Google reviews · Running trail in Decatur, Illinois · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Sportsmans 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.

ScenicTrailhead parkingQuiet

Tranquil lake destination offering fishing, boating and kayaking, as well as walking trails.

What runners say about Sportsmans Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (70 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 4 mentions

“Beautiful, peaceful, nice spots to fish and of course take photos.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 4 mentions

“We come here often with our kayaks and definitely recommend it if you are just getting started, the waters are generally pretty calm.”

Beautiful place to be! Plenty of wildlife to see: geese, ducks, turtles, and fish. There are a couple small hiking trails, some are better maintained than others. There are a couple nice docks. One has some shade and a picnic bench. Plenty of parking. Visited on 8/14/2025.

★★★★★ — Danielle , Aug 2025

Small and under appreciated. Walk quietly in the woods and listen.. stand quietly in the woods and the creatures will come to you, instead of run from you

★★★★★ — V. , Sep 2018

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 70 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 5 mentions

“There is a nice fishing/picnic gazebo on a pier with a view of the nice bay and marsh.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 4 mentions

“Has a small ramp right off the parking lot that’s perfect for putting in a kayak.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 3 mentions

“Beautiful, peaceful, nice spots to fish and of course take photos.”

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Plan your run at Sportsmans Park

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.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • Websitedecatur-parks.org
  • Phone(217) 421-7550
  • Social Facebook

Hours

Monday 7 AM–7 PM
Tuesday 7 AM–7 PM
Wednesday 7 AM–7 PM
Thursday 7 AM–7 PM
Friday 7 AM–7 PM
Saturday 7 AM–7 PM
Sunday 7 AM–7 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 Sportsmans Park

3415 E Lost Bridge Rd, Decatur, IL 62521

Get directions

Running trails near Decatur

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

Corman Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 59 reviews

Decatur, IL

Kid-friendly park with playgrounds, pavilions and a walking trail.

2.2 miles away

Nelson Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 1,092 reviews

Decatur, IL

LitScenic

Spacious city park with a covered pavilion & access to Scovill Zoo & the lake shore.

2.4 miles away

Spitler Woods State Natural Area

4.6 ★★★★★ 340 reviews

Mt Zion, IL

PavedScenicDog-friendly

Paved, looping trail and multiple other trails winding through a forested area featuring playgrounds, a basketball court and picnic tables.

2.9 miles away

Sand Creek Conservation Area

4.8 ★★★★★ 113 reviews

Decatur, IL

5 miLoopNatural surfaceScenic

Heavily wooded reserve with meadows, streams, footbridges and 8 miles of trails for hiking and riding horses.

3.1 miles away

Fort Daniel Conservation Area

4.7 ★★★★★ 115 reviews

Decatur, IL

75 miScenic

Lush park featuring miles of trails along with picnic tables, a playground and a pavilion.

4.0 miles away

Lincoln Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 99 reviews

Decatur, IL

Scenic

4.1 miles away

All running trails in Decatur, IL →

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.