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Stuart Smith Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 61 Google reviews · Running trail in Ames, Iowa · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Stuart Smith 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.
Park with a bike trail and picnic tables offering walking paths that are suitable for children.
What runners say about Stuart Smith Park
“It’s shaded, peaceful, and has plenty of green space — perfect for summer.”
It's a great park with a walking trail, river, and playground equipment. It would be a great place for a picnic.
One of our favorite parks in Ames. It’s shaded, peaceful, and has plenty of green space — perfect for summer. The updated playground is also great for letting the kids burn off energy before ISU games and events.
Beautiful little park close to the stadium and connected via bike trail to brookside. If you park at Stuart Smith, take your bike off your rack, you can take the bike trail all the way to the aquatic center on 13th without any street riding or crossing. Then ride back to your car for a nifty 4-mile ride.
Small but shady park with playground equipment, picnic tables, and access to trails all near a stream.
Trail conditions & character
“It’s shaded, peaceful, and has plenty of green space — perfect for summer.”
“Small but shady park with playground equipment, picnic tables, and access to trails all near a stream.”
“Also worth noting: there are no restrooms or drinking fountains, but there are plenty of picnic tables.”
“Picnic tables, parking, walking path, playground and a portable restroom available.”
“Also worth noting: there are no restrooms or drinking fountains, but there are plenty of picnic tables.”
Plan your run at Stuart Smith 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.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- Websitecityofames.org
- Phone+1 515-239-5350
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–10 pm |
Running trails near Ames
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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