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Dirt / Cinder Tracks near you

A dirt or cinder track is the old-school oval — soft, quiet, and forgiving underfoot, which is genuinely easier on the legs than asphalt for easy days and recovery miles. Many are older tracks that predate the rubber-resurfacing era, and they have a certain charm. The honest trade-offs: they're slower (the surface absorbs some of every push-off, so don't judge your fitness by the clock here), and they don't handle rain well — a dirt oval turns soft, rutted, and puddled after a storm and can take a day to dry out. They're best on dry days for relaxed running rather than sharp speed work. If you want a fast, all-weather surface for timed repeats, look for a rubber track instead; if you want a gentle loop for easy miles, a dirt oval does the job. The 114 tracks below match this feature — use the map to find the closest one, or browse by state.

Feature labels come from each track's own listing and runners' reviews; surfaces, lighting, and hours change, so confirm with the venue.

Top-rated tracks with a dirt / cinder surface

Ranked by local reputation — rating weighted by review count.

Thomas Jefferson Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 2,710 reviews

2180 1st Ave, New York, NY

Dirt good for the whole family

City-owned space for indoor & outdoor recreation, with a track, sports facilities & an outdoor pool.

Betsy Head Park

4.1 ★★★★☆ 1,674 reviews

Dumont Ave, Brooklyn, NY

Open to public Lit at night Dirt great for intervalsrarely crowded

Park & recreation center with a pool, baseball & football fields, volleyball courts & running track.

La Cienega Park & Community Center

4.4 ★★★★☆ 1,032 reviews

8400 Gregory Wy, Beverly Hills, CA

Grass great for intervalsgood for the whole family

Public recreation area featuring baseball fields, a track, fitness equipment & a community center.

Central Recreation Center

4.4 ★★★★☆ 858 reviews

18150 E Vassar Pl, Aurora, CO

Open to public Dirt great for intervalsgood for the whole family

Large center for recreation with an indoor pool, plus a gym and a track.

Chaska Community Center

4.4 ★★★★☆ 743 reviews

1661 Park Ridge Dr, Chaska, MN

Lit at night Dirt good for the whole family

Mark McGrath Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 617 reviews

12001 Brighton Ln, Meadows Place, TX

Open to public Dirt great for intervalsrarely crowded

Park featuring exercise equipment, a playground, a baseball field, a splash pad, a lake, and a garden, along with walking, running and fishing trails.