Home › Illinois › Springfield › Stuart Park
Stuart Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 308 Google reviews · Running trail in Springfield, Illinois · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Stuart 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.
Open space with playgrounds, fenced dog areas and an agility course.
What runners say about Stuart Park
“Fenced in dog park Quiet, clean.”
“Small and big dogs areas, beautiful grass, fresh water fountains for humans and the puppers!”
Great place to take your dog out for some exercise. Enclosed dog runs, trails to ride bikes and walks.clean and we'll maintained
Great park to bring your dog too! They have two large fenced areas to let your dogs off leash. One for smaller dogs and another for larger breeds. There are 💩 bags at stations around the park in case you forget to bring your own. People are always nice and friendy although sometimes certain dogs don't get along.
Great Dog park, great place for my big dog to run, play and get his energy out. BUT many dog owners will and have been bringing their small dogs into the large dog play area which is becoming a problem because my big dog wants to play and is an aggressive playful dog but is seen as just aggressive because these small…
I'm thankful for this park and that my pup has a huge place to run and play and socialize. However I wish that springfieldians/visitors would STOP bringing their small dogs in the big dog part and then get mad that big dogs do big dog play.. I haven't experienced any dogs that are super aggressive or mean.
Trail conditions & character
“The kids love the play ground, and the dog parks are great to let our dog get his Labrador energy out, plus they have some amazing paved and dirt walking trails”
“The also have parking closer to the enclosures for people with disabilities.”
“Small and big dogs areas, beautiful grass, fresh water fountains for humans and the puppers!”
“Small and big dogs areas, beautiful grass, fresh water fountains for humans and the puppers!”
Plan your run at Stuart Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- 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, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitespringfieldparks.org
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 |
Running trails near Springfield
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Washington Park Botanical Garden
4.7 ★★★★★ 834 reviews
Free garden with seasonal flowers, roses, trees, tropical greenhouses & a glass-domed conservatory.
Washington Park Nature Trail
4 ★★★★☆ 1 reviews
Washington Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,866 reviews
Green space featuring a playground, a bell tower, a botanical garden & 2 ponds with ducks & geese.
Centennial Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 393 reviews
Park featuring a playground, athletic fields, and a skateboarding area, plus picnic tables.
Carpenter Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 267 reviews
This 434-acre park is a popular spot for hikes through woodlands, quiet picnics & animal viewing.