HomeMinnesotaWest St Paul › Thompson County Park

Thompson County Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 998 Google reviews · Running trail in West St Paul, Minnesota · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Thompson County 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.

PavedShadedScenicDog-friendlyFlat & fastRestroomsTrailhead parking

Relaxed wooded park featuring a lake and playground and trails for biking and picnics.

What runners say about Thompson County Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (998 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 7 mentions

“It's well maintained and the flower gardens near the parking/entry area are a delight!”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 9 mentions

“This was the 2nd time we rented, this beautiful shelteted pavilion, here at this park, for our Annual Ross/Sundet Picnic.”

🌳 shaded & cool 3 mentions

“More inclusive for all abilities but still limited shade for play on sunny days.”

👟 good for all levels 2 mentions

“More inclusive for all abilities but still limited shade for play on sunny days.”

Such a hidden gem within city limits. My go to spot when I do my walk after work from kaposia landing. I'm never disappointed with the views and how well it's maintained. So much to explore....

★★★★★ — Jennyfur , Sep 2023

We are new to the area and have visited this park a couple of times. It's well maintained and the flower gardens near the parking/entry area are a delight! There are paved trails and natural trails for whatever level of hike you need!

★★★★★ — Russell , Apr 2024

It's a nice little park with a well maintained walking path. There are plenty of bugs, but they aren't annoying. The preponderance of dragonflies keeps the mosquito population under control.

★★★★★ — Ivan , Jul 2024

A wonderful little city park for a stroll around the 'lake'. Its a very easy, mostly level paved path. About a half mile around. But very pretty with native plants and wooded areas surrounding the water. They have a dock for fishing.

★★★★☆ — Staysea , Oct 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 998 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 10 mentions

“This was the 2nd time we rented, this beautiful shelteted pavilion, here at this park, for our Annual Ross/Sundet Picnic.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 6 mentions

“they also added new decks, more concrete and wood sitting area, long benches, more tables with seating.”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 5 mentions

“More inclusive for all abilities but still limited shade for play on sunny days.”

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🚻 Restrooms 3 mentions

“The bathroom facilities were clean, also located in the pavilion.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

“It's well maintained and the flower gardens near the parking/entry area are a delight!”

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Flat & fast 2 mentions

“There are paved trails and natural trails for whatever level of hike you need!”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 2 mentions

“Plus the dog is always up for any place that has the promise of ducks and water!”

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Plan your run at Thompson County 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
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websiteco.dakota.mn.us
  • Phone+1 952-891-7000
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 5:30 am–10 pm
Tuesday 5:30 am–10 pm
Wednesday 5:30 am–10 pm
Thursday 5:30 am–10 pm
Friday 5:30 am–10 pm
Saturday 5:30 am–10 pm
Sunday 5:30 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 Thompson County Park

360 Butler Ave E, West St Paul, MN 55118

Get directions

Running trails near West St Paul

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

Simon's Ravine Trailhead

4.5 ★★★★★ 97 reviews

South St Paul, MN

PavedScenicDog-friendly

Park offering a paved, uphill walking trail through a forest setting.

under a mile away

Kaposia Landing

4.7 ★★★★★ 508 reviews

South St Paul, MN

LoopPavedShadedScenic

Lakeside green space featuring a playground, walking trails and dog park for off-leash play.

under a mile away

Robert Piram Regional Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ 6 reviews

St Paul, MN

Mixed

1.3 miles away

Marthaler Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 126 reviews

West St Paul, MN

LitScenicDog-friendly

Park featuring a playground, trails and basketball courts for kids, plus sledding hills.

1.3 miles away

Grandview Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 52 reviews

South St Paul, MN

PavedScenic

Well-maintained park featuring a playground, benches and an overlook of the Mississippi River as well as paved walking trails.

1.7 miles away

Brickyard Hiking Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 32 reviews

Mendota Heights, MN

ScenicDog-friendly

2.2 miles away

All running trails in West St Paul, MN →

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.