Near Clayton Park Loop
One of the eponymous bridges
Near Clayton Park Loop
A dogwood across a meadow
Near Clayton Park Loop
The undergrowth in the woods
Near Clayton Park Loop
The trail winding downhill to a bridge
Near Clayton Park Loop
Another bridge

Looking for more photos?

View All Photos
Driving Directions
Hike Route

Clayton Park Loop

4.4 (7 Ratings)
This is the main perimeter loop at Clayton Park.
4.3
mi
Distance
367
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
BirdingFall ColorsRiver/CreekViewsWildflowersWildlife
Access Issues
Open from sunrise to sunset most of the year. The parks department maintains the trails pretty well, and if there are downed trees, they are usually removed within days.

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
4.29mi
Distance
367ft
Elevation Gain
367ft
Elevation Loss
20%
Max Grade
237ft
High Point
105ft
Low Point
Path Type
Loop
Description
The 4-mile perimeter loop is the most used route at Clayton Park. You can find many runners, hikers, and cyclists. There is about 400 ft of total elevation climb with its rolling hills and at points there are many roots and some rocks to jump over. There are a few other trails within the main loop to add about 2 more miles. To stay on the loop just stay to the right the entire time if you start at the main trailhead. Once you reach the pond, keep the pond on your left and make left turns to bring you back to the parking lot. If you want to extend your hike you can stay right the ENTIRE time and hike around the perimeter of all the farmlands. I call that the 'big loop' and by staying right the entire time it ends up being about 6.8-miles total.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
No Condition Reports
Report Conditions

Nearby Hike Routes

Roebling Memorial Park Loop

Hike Route

Roebling Memorial Park Loop

Birding
easy
3.39 mi
+67 ft
Thompson Park Big Loop Trail

Hike Route

Thompson Park Big Loop Trail

Dogs Allowed
moderate
2.23 mi
+160 ft
Historic Smithville Park and Smith Woods

Hike Route

Historic Smithville Park and Smith Woods

Lake
moderate
3.34 mi
+62 ft
Silver Lake and Observation Platform

Hike Route

Silver Lake and Observation Platform

Birding
moderate
0.97 mi
+0 ft
Griggstown Grasslands

Hike Route

Griggstown Grasslands

Birding
easy
2.29 mi
+143 ft
Four-mile Loop

Hike Route

Four-mile Loop

Dogs Allowed
moderate
4.17 mi
+99 ft
Contributors
John Beck