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Park Trails

at Wallace State Park

Deer Run Trail

  • Hiking

Length: 3 Miles View map

The heavily forested trail of oaks and hickories starts out with a low-water crossing and a steep incline. This hillside is a favorite roosting site for turkey vultures. As the trail starts to level out, you will come to white connector 2. This shortcut will make the hike about one mile. If you choose to keep following the red blazes through the rolling forested hills, you will see deep ravines and several foot bridges before reaching the southern boundary of the park. This area has younger trees and a more open feel because it was once farmland. Along the trail, you will come to two old farm ponds. At the second pond, you may choose to continue on Deer Run Trail or take Deer Creek Loop (blue blazes) through more scenic bottomland forest. Deer Creek Loop follows the steep banks of this meandering creek. You can expect to see small sand bars, small fish and amphibians, forest birds and numerous deer tracks before rejoining Deer Run Trail. The trail continues along a ridge in the woods providing wildlife viewing opportunities as it meanders its way back to Lake Allaman.

Deer Run Trail
Length Estimated Hiking Time Type Blazes Trailhead
1.75 Miles   Loop Red

Near the spillway at Lake Allaman
Deer Creek Loop
Length Estimated Hiking Time Type Blazes Trailhead
1.25 Miles   Loop Blue  

Old Quarry Trail

  • Hiking

Length: 1.25 Miles View map

Starting at the boardwalk, you will have an excellent view of the lake and western sky. Follow the green blazes across the footbridge in the backwater of the lake and up to the main park road. After crossing the road, the forested trail begins a steep incline but gradually evens out. Along the trail, you will come to a natural limestone outcropping that has been quarried. The history is unknown, but perhaps an early resident used the rocks for building materials. Continuing on past the quarry, you will step out of the woods into an open field that was once farm land. The land is in transition with many new plants and trees growing since farming ended in the 1980s. Two trail spurs (black blazes) will lead you to the special-use area, along the edge of the open field, and through a stand of Scotch and short-leaf pine trees planted in the 1950s. 

Length Estimated Hiking Time Type Blazes Trailhead
1.25 Miles 1 hour Loop Green

At the boardwalk at Lake Allaman

Rocky Ford Trail

  • Hiking

Length: .60 Mile View map

A long, gentle slope leads you down through the oak trees towards Deer Creek. In the spring, expect to see a multitude of wildflowers, including spring beauty and Dutchman’s breeches in the area. As you reach the creek, the trail narrows and may be muddy or flooded following heavy rains. The trail name, Rocky Ford, describes the series of limestone shelves that cross the creek. This ford may have been a crossing on the Mormon Trail more than 150 years ago. Today, it is a favorite spot with visitors for picture taking and playing in the creek. Large sycamore and cottonwood trees are mixed in among the oaks, along with poison ivy and stinging nettle along the way. The trail joins the end section of Deer Run Trail and ends at the Lake Allaman spillway. 

Length Estimated Hiking Time Type Blazes Trailhead
.60 Mile 30 minutes, one way Linear Yellow

Near the enclosed shelter

Skunk Hollow Trail

  • Hiking

Length: 1.25 Miles View map

This trail has a gentle grade that takes you between forested hillsides. Along the trail, an intermittent stream can, at times, produce a small waterfall. The path crosses several footbridges and the main park road as it encircles campground 4.  Skunk Hollow Trail provides access points for campgrounds 2 and 4.

Length Estimated Hiking Time Type Blazes Trailhead
1.25 Miles 1 hour Loop Brown

Near the spillway at Lake Allaman