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Waterdog Lake & Open Space
4.5 ★★★★★ 366 Google reviews · Running trail in Belmont, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- 4 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Waterdog Lake & Open Space'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.
This hilly green park surrounding a small lake has trails of varying lengths, some of them steep.
What runners say about Waterdog Lake & Open Space
“Well maintained hiking and mountain biking trails with beautiful views of the Peninsula and Bay.”
“There were a few scenic spots that were quite special, but it is quite a bit of work to get to them.”
“Amazing views of the bay, great shade, perfect difficulty, pristine air.”
“Peaceful little lake in the middle - I saw a family playing with a remote control boat on the little lake, which just added to the ambience.”
“Dogs Love the trail as they get to dip in the Lake :) Watchout for Pacific Poison Ivy on the Trails”
Wonderful park! After about a .4 mile hike you reach the lake. We got there on a fairly warm Sunday afternoon and there were at least 6 other dogs enjoying the cool water! Our pup had a blast! It was a bit confusing to get to the entrance, but there is a trail head!
One of the best hiking trails, if not the best, in whole Bay Area. Amazing views of the bay, great shade, perfect difficulty, pristine air. Can’t get better!
Discovered this preserve on a weekday morning. My maps program took me on a circuitous tour of Belmont trying to locate the trailhead. I recommend using the 2400 Lyalll Way address for street parking at the Lake Road Trail on the northeastern part of the preserve.
This was a great hike to go on. It was easy enough to hike and the trail is mostly covered by the trees. A lot of different paths that you could take so it was a nice variety of things to see. There were a lot of people there with their dog or kids.
Trail conditions & character
“There were a few scenic spots that were quite special, but it is quite a bit of work to get to them.”
“We got there on a fairly warm Sunday afternoon and there were at least 6 other dogs enjoying the cool water!”
“Some of the sections of the trails are very muddy and narrow, and not to mention steep.”
“My maps program took me on a circuitous tour of Belmont trying to locate the trailhead.”
“Peaceful little lake in the middle - I saw a family playing with a remote control boat on the little lake, which just added to the ambience.”
“during the rain it can be a bit muddy and the map was a bit confusing with which trails to go on but overall it was a comfy experience~”
“I enjoyed an overall peaceful trek through the preserve, including the Lake Road Trail, Lake Loop Trail, John Brooks Trail, and Berry Trail.”
“Great little park with a network of gravel road and single track trails.”
“Amazing views of the bay, great shade, perfect difficulty, pristine air.”
“While there are no playgrounds or restrooms, the natural beauty makes up for it.”
Plan your run at Waterdog Lake & Open Space
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
- Loop distance4 mi back to where you parked
- 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.
- Websitebelmont.gov
- Phone+1 650-595-7441
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–8 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–8 pm |
Running trails near Belmont
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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