Home › Alabama › Opelika › Wood Duck Nature Preserve
Wood Duck Nature Preserve
4.3 ★★★★☆ 129 Google reviews · Running trail in Opelika, Alabama · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- 2 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Wood Duck Nature Preserve'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.
Park for bird-watching that features a lagoon and shaded trails.
What runners say about Wood Duck Nature Preserve
“Beautiful scenery with well placed Duck Blinds providing excellent vantage points for relaxed viewing of wildlife that frequent the Pond and Park!”
“Nice, easy shaded trail with bird viewing houses.”
“The trails have been well cleared and are well marked and have been extended.”
“Short 2 mile hike and very quiet and serene sitting in the blinds by the lake.”
I like this little park. It's quiet, the trail around the pond is easy to navigate. The blinds on the pond are a great place to sit, watch and photograph the water fowl and birds. The early morning seems to be the most active.
I love this trail. It's only a 15 minute walk/ 2 minute drive from my house. I always noticed the signs to this nature preserve as I passed by it over the years, but I never knew that much was back there.
I had not been here in quite some time, so I was pleasantly surprised by all the improvements. The trails have been well cleared and are well marked and have been extended. There are pretty views of the creek, the woods and some marshy wetland.
If you enjoy walking outdoors this is a lovely place to visit. I enjoy hearing the birds sing and watching them in their natural habitat. A wonderful jewel in Opelika for those that love being in nature. Have always had a great time.
Trail conditions & character
“Short 2 mile hike and very quiet and serene sitting in the blinds by the lake.”
“Beautiful scenery with well placed Duck Blinds providing excellent vantage points for relaxed viewing of wildlife that frequent the Pond and Park!”
“Make sure you wear comfortable shoes that you don't mind messing up, because the trail can be very muddy in certain areas around the lagoon.”
“Nice, easy shaded trail with bird viewing houses.”
“The trails have been well cleared and are well marked and have been extended.”
Plan your run at Wood Duck Nature Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- Distance2 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websiteopelika-al.gov
- Phone+1 334-705-5560
- Social Instagram
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–7 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–7 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–7 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–7 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–7 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–7 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–7 pm |
Running trails near Opelika
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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Municipal Park
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