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Valley View Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 112 Google reviews · Running trail in Oak Park Heights, Minnesota · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Valley View 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.

MixedScenicHillyRestroomsWaterTrailhead parkingQuiet

Peaceful park for kids, picnics and hiking with trails and a playground.

What runners say about Valley View Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (112 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 6 mentions

“There are beautiful fields and lots of and great parking, picnic areas, and well maintained bathrooms!”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 4 mentions

“There are beautiful fields and lots of and great parking, picnic areas, and well maintained bathrooms!”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 5 mentions

“Quiet area to clear your head or take a quick snooze.”

Valley View Park is a hidden gem in the Oak Park Heights. You can easily miss this place as you drive out of town and find yourself cruising past the correctional facility. Look for the park sign and follow a meandering road between the prison and a bunch of backyards with boats and vehicles stored behind them.

★★★★★ — Matt , Jan 2022

I love this park! - Conveniently located right off Highway 36 and only 2 miles from downtown Stillwater - Plenty of parking space - Big playground with wood chips - Lots of picnic tables, as well as a pavilion, several barbeque stations - Seasonal bathroom and drinking fountain - Paved bike/walking trails.

★★★★★ — Lizzie , Dec 2023

great for calisthenics, or to get away from some of these conceited, fake, sheeple around here. theres a ravine and a sweet bike trail, you can bring go into the woods and even get into a sewer and see what its like underground if you so wish.

★★★★★ — Paul , Aug 2018

One of my all time favorite parks! There are beautiful fields and lots of and great parking, picnic areas, and well maintained bathrooms! There are two different locations to park at. Each has its own playground too. I highly recommend the biking trails. They lead to some great spots.

★★★★★ — Ailee , Sep 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 112 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 9 mentions

“Other than that, nice playgrounds and an interesting view coming down the hill towards the river with the prison right across the road.”

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🚻 Restrooms 8 mentions

“Once you get to the park, you'll find an all brick building with restrooms, a nice playground, and hilly terrain that's perfect for sledding.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 5 mentions

“When I first pulled into the parking and seen the playground and pavilion I figured that was it for the park.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 5 mentions

“Quiet area to clear your head or take a quick snooze.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 3 mentions

“Once you get to the park, you'll find an all brick building with restrooms, a nice playground, and hilly terrain that's perfect for sledding.”

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🪵 Boardwalk

“There is an extensive trail system that goes down to a wonderful nature boardwalk.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 2 mentions

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🚰 Water fountains

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Plan your run at Valley View Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • 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
  • Websitecityofoakparkheights.com
  • Phone+1 651-439-4439

Hours

Monday 5 am–10 pm
Tuesday 5 am–10 pm
Wednesday 5 am–10 pm
Thursday 5 am–10 pm
Friday 5 am–10 pm
Saturday 5 am–10 pm
Sunday 5 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 Valley View Park

45.029152, -92.801446, 5421 Osgood Ave N, Oak Park Heights, MN 55082

Get directions

Running trails near Oak Park Heights

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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Autumn Hills Park

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Wooded park boasting a playground, shelters, picnic areas and ponds, plus trails.

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St Croix River Crossing Loop Trail

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LoopPavedScenic

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Lowell Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 623 reviews

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PavedScenic

Picnic-ready park with sculptures for winter snow carvers and outdoor benches.

2.1 miles away

St Croix River Crossing Park & Trailhead

4.6 ★★★★★ 30 reviews

Houlton, WI

4.7 miLoopPavedScenic

2.3 miles away

Brown's Creek State Trailhead Kiosk

4.6 ★★★★★ 53 reviews

Stillwater, MN

PavedShadedScenic

Outdoor spot that features a scenic trail for walking, biking and running, and dogs are allowed.

2.4 miles away

All running trails in Oak Park Heights, 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.