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Vance Trail Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 63 Google reviews · Running trail in Valley Park, Missouri · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Vance Trail 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.

PavedScenicWaterTrailhead parkingQuiet

Trails for a range of abilities (from casual to short to paved) through woodlands that also include a playground and a creek.

What runners say about Vance Trail Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (63 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 4 mentions

“Nice clean beautiful place to walk on trail an play in the creek!”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 3 mentions

“It is nice and quiet and a great place to cool off and splash around in the clear cool water.”

We call this place our ‘secret gem’. We love to go as a family to have a nice lazy day in the creek. It is nice and quiet and a great place to cool off and splash around in the clear cool water. We usually see families walking the trail with their pets or kids.

★★★★★ — Maddie , May 2023

Paved walking park about 30 min + walk. If you want to walk longer walk along the gravel creek bed or few unpaved trails in the woods. If you make a left at the end of the paved road and walk up the unpaved trail and to your right you will see where the creek runs out of the rock face. Very peaceful nice park.

★★★★☆ — Kb , May 2020

Easy paved walking trail approximately 3/4 of a mile long. The trail has one dead end path and another path that leads to Vance Rd sidewalk, where you can continue walking passed TJ Wings and back onto Hanna Rd ultimately leading back to the trailhead parking lot.

★★★★★ — J , Nov 2024

Quaint little park with a playground and swings for little ones. Short hike from end to end but a fun bridge and some nature is worth going for those getting littles out of the house.

★★★★☆ — Brian , Feb 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 63 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.

🛣️ Paved surface 10 mentions

“The paved meanders through the woods and offers nice views of Fishpot Creek.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 6 mentions

“Only downside limited parking and if you want a longer more intense walk a little Small.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 5 mentions

“The paved meanders through the woods and offers nice views of Fishpot Creek.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 3 mentions

“It is nice and quiet and a great place to cool off and splash around in the clear cool water.”

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🚰 Water fountains

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Plan your run at Vance Trail 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.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, water — reported by runners
  • Websitevalleyparkmo.org

Hours

Monday 6:30 AM–10 PM
Tuesday 6:30 AM–10 PM
Wednesday 6:30 AM–10 PM
Thursday 6:30 AM–10 PM
Friday 6:30 AM–10 PM
Saturday 6:30 AM–10 PM
Sunday 6:30 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 Vance Trail Park

Valley Park, Missouri

Get directions

Running trails near Valley Park

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

Meramec Greenway Trailhead: Arnold's Grove

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Paved trail network beside the Meramec River and lake featuring picnic tables, trees and parking.

under a mile away

Twin Oaks Park

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1.0 miles away

River Scene Trail

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LoopNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Kids-friendly state park featuring scenic trails and playgrounds.

1.6 miles away

Lone Wolf Trailhead

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Kid-friendly hiking area providing several trails, including the popular Lone Wolf.

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Bright Park

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Grotpeter Trailhead

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1.1 miLoopMixedScenic

Hike-and-bike spot with views of woods and rivers, plus dog-friendly policies.

1.7 miles away

All running trails in Valley Park, MO →

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.