HomeNebraskaLincoln › Van Dorn Park

Van Dorn Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 246 Google reviews · Running trail in Lincoln, Nebraska · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Van Dorn 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.

Dog-friendlyRestrooms

City park with a hiking/biking trail, play equipment, restrooms & reservable shelters for events.

What runners say about Van Dorn Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (246 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 7 mentions

“Well kept and almost hidden from public eye.”

Nice park with a great single track for biking. One lap is about a mile and a half and is easy at low speeds, and fun at high speed. Lots of turns, some berms, jumps, climbing, and speedy downhill.

★★★★★ — Henry , Oct 2021

Amazing place for a nature walk early in the morning or during the sunsets.

★★★★★ — Nizar , Feb 2026

Neat public place. Bike riding loop for fun and excercise. Lots of open areas for kites and frisbee. It is surrounded by heavy traffic and noise, which can be a distraction, and make it a hassel to get to, and get back out of. There is a building that can be rented out for parties.

★★★★☆ — Phatso , May 2019

Van dorn Park been a long time since I've been there. But it was a nice park to go visit when I was young. I do like the bicycle trail Don't remember that from when I was young ? But that's pretty cool. I do suggest they should cut the grass a little bit more often. All of it.

★★★★★ — Gerard , Dec 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 246 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

“The only problem was other visitors in the park came in and used the restroom like it was a public bathrooms.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 3 mentions

“It's a great place to get your dog some wilderness time without having to leave the city.”

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Plan your run at Van Dorn 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 trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitelincoln.ne.gov
  • Phone+1 402-441-7847

Hours

Monday 5 am–11 pm
Tuesday 5 am–11 pm
Wednesday 5 am–11 pm
Thursday 5 am–11 pm
Friday 5 am–11 pm
Saturday 5 am–11 pm
Sunday 5 am–11 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 Van Dorn Park

Van Dorn St & S 9th St, Bison Trl, Lincoln, NE 68502

Get directions

Running trails near Lincoln

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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Wilderness Park

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Wilderness Park

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ShadedScenic

Vast nature-filled park, featuring scenic trails for hiking, bicycling and horse riding.

1.5 miles away

Jamaica North Trailhead North

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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.