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Walnut River Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 78 Google reviews · Running trail in El Dorado, Kansas · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Walnut River Trailhead'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.

ScenicDog-friendlyQuiet

Recreational place featuring multiple trails, plus a lake, camping and cabins.

What runners say about Walnut River Trailhead

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (78 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 5 mentions

“Others a unpa ed trails all are beautiful and peaceful.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 4 mentions

“Others a unpa ed trails all are beautiful and peaceful.”

👟 good for all levels 3 mentions

“This was an easy trail however I'm guessing it's supposed to be a loop but not well marked.”

This is a nice trail that winds through the woods from a cemented walkway to a heavily wooded nature trail. Early morning hikers can expect to see deer, rabbits and other wildlife as well as hear the sounds of woodpeckers, owls and the occasional turkey.

★★★★★ — Marvin , Jul 2022

This was an easy trail however I'm guessing it's supposed to be a loop but not well marked. I thought the trail was 1 mile but we walked 3 miles before we found our way back to the trailhead. Still, it was a nice walk.

★★★★☆ — Jan , Jan 2026

Attended the first day hike at the state park and it was first time visiting. The trails are nice and have multiple to choose from! Peaceful and beautiful even in January

★★★★★ — Patricia , Jan 2023

There are several trails that meander around the Walnut River Campground at Eldorado State Park. Some are cement bike and walking trails. Others a unpa ed trails all are beautiful and peaceful. I walked the trail with my dog and we scared up a covey of quail and a pair of Canadian Geese.

★★★★★ — Daniel , Mar 2018

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 78 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 5 mentions

“Others a unpa ed trails all are beautiful and peaceful.”

More trails like this →

🐕 Dog-friendly 4 mentions

“I walked the trail with my dog and we scared up a covey of quail and a pair of Canadian Geese.”

More trails like this →

🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 4 mentions

“Others a unpa ed trails all are beautiful and peaceful.”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Walnut River Trailhead

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.
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.

Hours

Monday 6 am–9:30 pm
Tuesday 6 am–9:30 pm
Wednesday 6 am–9:30 pm
Thursday 6 am–9:30 pm
Friday 6 am–9:30 pm
Saturday 6 am–9:30 pm
Sunday 6 am–9:30 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 Walnut River Trailhead

Unnamed Rd, El Dorado, KS 67042

Get directions

Running trails near El Dorado

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

El Dorado Lake - Walnut River Area

4.7 ★★★★★ 36 reviews

El Dorado, KS

Scenic

under a mile away

El Dorado Mountain Bike Trail Head

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under a mile away

Teter Nature Trail

3.8 ★★★★☆ 18 reviews

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Scenic

1.4 miles away

Main Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 155 reviews

El Dorado, KS

Dog-friendly

Water park featuring a playground, picnic tables and tennis courts.

1.4 miles away

Trails El Dorado

El Dorado, KS

2.5 miles away

El Dorado Lake - Bluestem Point Area - Big Pine

4.6 ★★★★★ 89 reviews

El Dorado, KS

State-run campground for a lake-filled park popular for camping and fishing.

3.3 miles away

All running trails in El Dorado, KS →

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.