Home › California › Fresno › Woodward Park
Woodward Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,576 Google reviews · Running trail in Fresno, California · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Woodward 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.
Park with paths through lakeside & Japanese gardens, plus barbecue pits, a dog park & a playground.
What runners say about Woodward Park
“Find the park to be clean and well maintained.”
“It’s perfect for kids to play, great for a relaxing walk, and the views are always beautiful.”
This park is amazing!!! Crazy fun BMX practice areas, miles of walking & hiking trails with benches & restrooms positioned throughout, a healing garden, a Japanese garden and a couple of parking areas, including ev charging spots. I lived just down the road 2+ years ago and had no idea this was here!
Photos from the trail leading to Woodward Park, the park itself, and the nature preserve down in the basin. Woodward Park and the trail are beautiful, especially in the spring. It is wonderful to have that natural resource in the city.
We went to this park so that I can continue to be active and go for a walk. 1 hour of activity. There was a trail that he insisted we walk on. I was perfectly fine maneuvering through the park past the playgrounds and people. There's quite a bit of stuff to see at this park.
Always a Great place for family n walking, exercise, etc. Miles of walking trails. There's a walking trail towards back of park that goes down to the river. There's plenty of playgrounds and picnic areas.
Trail conditions & character
“It’s perfect for kids to play, great for a relaxing walk, and the views are always beautiful.”
“There were people jogging on the trail, people walking their dogs, people riding their bikes, people on dirt bikes practicing stunts on the hill areas of the park.”
“A little area where someone can perform there's concrete benches with tiles that anyone in the town can create a very pretty tile to add to the seated area.”
Plan your run at Woodward Park
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- 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.
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitefresno.gov
- Phone+1 559-621-2900
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–10 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am–10 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–10 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am–10 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–10 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am–10 pm |
| Sunday | 7 am–10 pm |
Running trails near Fresno
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Sandstone Cliff Trailhead
5 ★★★★★ 1 reviews
River Access Trail
4.3 ★★★★☆ 3 reviews
Wildwood Native Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 230 reviews
River-adjacent park with hiking trails, a canoe launch and areas for fishing.
Van Buren Trailhead
4.1 ★★★★☆ 13 reviews
Riverview Trail
5 ★★★★★ 2 reviews
Fresno Clovis trail
5 ★★★★★ 1 reviews