HomeIowaMarion › Thomas Park

Thomas Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 1,516 Google reviews · Running trail in Marion, Iowa · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Thomas 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.

RestroomsWaterTrailhead parking

Disc golf, an ice rink, splash pad, sledding hill & other activities are the draw at this busy park.

What runners say about Thomas Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (1,516 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 4 mentions

“Trails were well maintained and it was a great exercise experience for my walk.”

👟 good for all levels 3 mentions

“Fun playground for kids of all ages.”

Very clean. I particularly used the Marion HS Track every morning while on vacation. Very nice. Update 1.12.23: Sad to see the Marion Track and historic Football Stadium was razed. I now have moved over to using the beautiful trails from Thomas Park. 4.17.23- I have started to venture into the old Marion Cemetery.

★★★★★ — Michael , Sep 2023

Just on the edge of cedar rapids and Marion. This is a large park that has slides, swings, picnic tables, disco golf coif, walking and running paths, Pavillion, grills, basketball courts and restrooms as well as a splash pad.

★★★★★ — Craig , Aug 2025

Excellent walking path located right outside Cedar Rapids!!! Most of the path is concrete closer to the park and crushed gravel farther away from the park. Trails were well maintained and it was a great exercise experience for my walk. Trails meander along a creek with rapids at several locations.

★★★★★ — William , Jun 2025

One of the best parks in the Cedar Rapids area, just inside the small town of Marion. Here you'll find two playgrounds, swings, a sand pit, frisbee golf course, pavilions to rent for special occasions, hiking trails, bike trails, restrooms, and the prettiest splash pad in the area.

★★★★★ — Raquela , Aug 2016

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 1,516 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.

🚻 Restrooms 7 mentions

“This is a large park that has slides, swings, picnic tables, disco golf coif, walking and running paths, Pavillion, grills, basketball courts and restrooms as well as a splash pad.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 4 mentions

“There is basketball courts, permanent restroom, spacious parking lot, swing, sliding, climbing, and splash on the summer.”

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🚰 Water fountains

“Clean restrooms with a vending machine and drinking fountain.”

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Plan your run at Thomas 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, restrooms, water — reported by runners
  • Websitecityofmarion.org
  • Phone+1 319-447-3580

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

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 Thomas Park

343 Marion Blvd, Marion, IA 52302

Get directions

Running trails near Marion

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

Hanna Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 238 reviews

Marion, IA

Park featuring baseball fields, trails, swings, grills and playground equipment.

under a mile away

Lininger Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 128 reviews

Marion, IA

ShadedScenicDog-friendly

Clean play area featuring swings and slides for kids of all ages, as well as a large field for soccer games.

under a mile away

Boyson Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 177 reviews

Marion, IA

PavedScenicDog-friendly

Wooded park with a trail alongside a creek to go walking and biking.

under a mile away

Faulkes Heritage Woods

4.6 ★★★★★ 15 reviews

Cedar Rapids, IA

1.4 miles away

Indian Creek Trail

5 ★★★★★ 2 reviews

Marion, IA

1.6 miles away

Huntington Ridge Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 99 reviews

Cedar Rapids, IA

Dog-friendly

Playground featuring jungle gyms and slides.

2.2 miles away

All running trails in Marion, IA →

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.