Rice University Running Trail

I was in Houston on vacation and ran here for my long run of the week, 10 miles. I started on Sunday morning just before 6:30 am. I parked over at Hermann Park and started from there. I ran the loop 3 times. I really liked this trail. The oak trees lining it are really cool looking and you always have shade. The path is flat, no hills at all. There were some spots that had standing water from all of the rain Houston has gotten lately, but I was able to run around them or go out into the street to avoid them. If I lived near by I would probably run this trail regularly. It was not crowded when I was running. It was mostly other runners and some people walking. I would highly recommend this trail.

Perfect for 3 miles (5k) training. It’s a dirt trail on the outskirts of rice university. I tried it on a Saturday morning at 7am. Not a lot of runners, so it was perfect, just have to watch out on the dirt trails for some roots that have been spray painted orange. If you’re not paying attention you could trip or stub a toe.
I actually did two laps around the university and then went around Herman park, the zoo, Miller outdoor theater, the museum, and the golf course. Great on your knees when training. I will definitely come back more times. Lots to see. Before I knew it I already had 10 miles clocked on my Nike running app.

For the record, the trail is 2.92 miles long.
Regardless of the temperature outside, you can bet you’ll see tons of people running this trail during the day. Seriously, 100 degrees, 100% humidity, and probably 100 people running on the trail still. I think they’re all nuts.
The handful of times I ran this trail, I thought it was just the right length. It’s scenic at first, but you quickly realize you’ll be seeing almost nothing but oak trees for the entire run. Luckily, there’s a few points in the path that keep you alert, because there are a lot of cars entering and exiting the university. As a driver, it’s sometimes difficult to see the runners, so there’s definitely a possibility of a person/​car collision.
Usually the path isn’t too crowded, so you can run at at a pace comfortable for you. Even if it is crowded though, the people are usually attractive to look at, compared to other city running trails. So that’s a plus.

Feeling like going for a run inside the loop, or escaping for some fresh air?
Rice Village is a great place to go. Mapped it’s approximately 3 miles, so almost a 5k. There are just a few problems.
1. The tree roots are overgrown and easy to trip over (If you aren’t paying attention or it gets dark).
2. Narrow freakin’ trail. Don’t expect to run alongside a friend and not have to separate to opposite sides every time another runner coming towards you goes through.
3. CONSTRUCTION is confusing A.F. If you don’t run the trail daily, don’t be like me and wait till its dark outside to run for the first time. Somehow I ended up on Bissonet which is definitely not apart of the running trail. Needless to say, at least it’s a nice neighborhood to get lost in after dark.

Great trail. The gravel/​dirt helps make it easier on your joints. Not many traffic lights.

I use to ran here every Saturday and this trail was my favorite one in Houston, Now it became to crowd and to many people on your way. Probably I need to find different place for morning ran.

I feel bad giving only 3 stars due to the beautiful oak trees lining almost the entire 2.9 miles. The much needed shade they provide is stellar.
But here’s what’s not so stellar: utter lack of parking when you’re likely able to come for a run because that’s when everybody else is likely to come for a run! There is a tiny stretch of Stockton just south of university that had street parking and then I sometimes have luck at Chaucer Dr.
Another thing that’s not so stellar give the huge amount of people that use this trail for 1, 2 or 3 loops is the lack of water fountains and public bathrooms. I see a couple reviewers commenting on water fountains, but where are these 2 mystical water fountains?! I know it’s not rice university’s job (do they own the trail?) to hydrate me, but we are in the hottest and must humid city on the planet. Regarding bathrooms, only options I know of are the porta potties in the western most parking lot of rice where the farmers market is — but they’re only there on Tuesday nights (they even have cute little porta sinks with soap). I once desperately begged a student to let me into the dorm… but I don’t recommend that. Terry Hershey (yes I’m name droppin’ to get rice loop to step it up) even had shower heads (like the kind of shower you find at a beach) next to their water fountains so you can immerse yourself in water to deal with the heat; that would be amazing, but I’d gladly settle for water fountains.
My last critique is that overgrown hedges make it tricky for cars and runners to navigate a few places where the path crossed the driving entrance to the main road when there isn’t a stop light.
Aside from the shady trees, the best thing is the GRAVEL to save your knees. I foolishly ran a marathon and in doing so I tore my meniscus and even after surgery my knees are wrecked (seriously, human body was not made to pound concrete for 26.2 miles — and the ruined knees are not worth the bragging rights), so the gravel is wonderful.

I mean, how do you review a running trail? Well, I’ll try, it’s a nice scenic route with plenty of shade. There are a few water fountains along the way. (Okay maybe just one that I can recall). Parking is not so great on weekends or evenings so for me it seems to defeat the purpose of driving here as it’s not convenient. It needs to be convenient so that I will actually exercise! You know you feel the same way too sometimes so don’t judge me!
I have to say, I always seem to need to use a bathroom after completing the loop. I try to stay hydrated and bathrooms are very hard to come by. I’m just giving you a heads up so you can plan ahead. Again, this place isn’t so convenient. Hermann Park, however, has ample parking, bathrooms and shaded areas to walk or run. Soooo ya.

I just love this running trail. It has to be the prettiest running trail in Houston. Although, I haven’t been to all of the running trails in Houston yet. But I still stand by my belief! The trail takes you past the main entrance of the university. It’s so beautiful! I’ve even seen photo shoots there!
The trail is almost 3 miles long around Rice Uni. There are so many trees! I love all of the shade. Running in 90 degree heat with 90% humidity is the worst! THE WORST! But the shade does help a lot!
I just love looking at all of the pretty houses around the university covered in ivy. They remind me of my college days in New England. There are two water drinking fountains, one near the main entrance on the north part of the loop and one near the stadium on the south part of the loop. I’m so happy they fixed the southern fountain. It used to spray like 100 feet in the air, but it didn’t the last few times I used it.
The trail is like dirt covered in tiny rocks. It’s not fun getting one of the tiny rocks stuck in your shoe. When that happened to me, I was like, omg I’m dying! There are tree roots here and there, but they regularly get spray painted like neon orange so you can see and avoid them. And the trail gets super dusty! When I get home after running on the trail, my shoes are covered in like orange dust. If you want to keep your new sneakers shiny and brightly colored, just be wary that this trail will coat them in dirt. (I’m now only going to run the trail in my older shoes because I’m kinda vain lol) And because of all the shade, rain puddles do not dry up very quickly on the trail, especially on the southern part of the loop. If it’s been raining recently, you’ll see some puddles.
The trail is close to Hermann Park and Mecom Fountain and the Museum District. This is a very scenic part of town. And just two blocks away is the Rice Village shopping center with lots of shops and eateries. This is a great trail and a great area!

I agree (Farrah A) review is totally not true!!! She has no idea what she is talking about! She needs to get her facts straight before commenting! They put the signs up in the neighborhood, because they didn’t want students and faculty parking on the streets when Rice started to charge for parking.
I grew up in this area! Born and raised! I regularly run this trail every week and is a great trail to run a 5K. The oak trees are absolutely beautiful and help with the hot Houston sun! There is usually never a crowd there, so you will not get trampled on like Memorial’s trail. There are two water fountains on each end of the loop. Its great to see the residents of the neighborhood and runners alike. If you don’t live in the neighborhood I would recommend parking near Montrose and running to the trail. I would also run during the day. My partner works for Rice, so he gets updates about crime on the university and it tends to happen at night. Be careful!

I’m not an outdoor runner but Rice is slowly turning me into one. It’s a 2.9 mile track around Rice that is not crowded by people, making it good for beginner runners. I like how it’s shaded and has a gravel track, which makes it easy on the knees.
What I don’t like is that currently there are extended parts of the tracks that are blocked off by construction. It forces you off the road or into the parking lots. There are also areas where it doesn’t smell too good as you run past, probably because the scent of the back alleyways of Rice are wafting in the air.
Park in Rice Village.

This is my go to place for a run. I haven’t gotten into the memorial loop yet. Rice is more convenient.
It’s a great 5k gravel loop that circles Rice University. The downside is that there are only two water fountains on the course. I would like one on each of the four legs of the route. I don’t drink much when I run, but in this heat, it’s necessary for many. The Brian O’Neil’s Running Club also runs out here every Tuesday evening. It’s a good community event.
This is an excellent track, with a decent amount of flow. Never too crowded. And close to the bars :)

I really like the Rice loop.
Pros:
— It’s located in probably the prettiest part of Houston
— The location is convenient (for me)
— The gravel path is better for running than cement and it makes a cool crunching sound as you walk/​run
— The trees!
— Have I mentioned it’s pretty?
Cons:
— The path is narrow, which makes it easily congested and sometimes difficult for runners and walkers to live in harmony.
— The path floods very easily when it rains, which means you sometimes have to run in the street to get around the gigantic puddles.
— The beautiful trees mean there are lots of beautiful tree roots, sticking up out of the ground. They try to paint them in neon colors, which is helpful, but you should still be careful.
I prefer running/​walking at the Memorial Park loop (mostly just because it’s wider and has better people watching), but I am still very, very grateful for the Rice loop. It’s a wonderful part of Houston.

Ever since Rice started charging for visitors parking, which started years back, runners took it upon themselves to park around the neighborhood. Well the hoity-​toity folks seemed to have a problem with that, so now there are «NO PARKING without permit» signs ALL OVER the neighborhood. Mon-​Fri 9am-​4pm you can’t park on any of the West U streets. Apparently being rich isn’t enough; they want to rule the roads and shoo away runners who come in peace.
For those who complained in West U, next time you want to venture into the ‘Trose for Greek Fest or Pride, or The Heights for White Linen Night or Lights in the Heights … or any other welcoming neighborhood event — do us a fave and stay off our streets, m’kay?

The outer loop of Rice is a little bit less than 3 miles, so it makes for a nice jog/​run. There’s lots of trees and shade so it’s great for running in the summer (but try to go in the evening since it’s still really hot). I also try to avoid running around 5 – 6, because rush hour traffic leaves a lot of exhaust fumes that make it hard to breathe :/​.
Be careful if you run at night! The area around Rice/​Medical Center is kind of sketchy at night, so run with a friend if you must get in your daily dose of cardio after dark. Also be careful of the tree roots that are out to trip innocent runners. They’re painted bright orange to warn you during the day, but they’re pretty much impossible to see at night.
The whole loop has two water fountains spaced along the trail, and there are also water bowls set out for our furry friends :).

It’s difficult to find a safe, shaded running trail near the medical center. This one offers a solid three mile loop around the gorgeous Rice campus, and it’s usually not too crowded, even on the weekends. Water fountains are also available along the way for long runs. It’s a pretty friendly and ideal place for all runners and walkers. I even feel safe running at night (although I would recommend bringing some sort of light since it’s almost pitch black).
One drawback is that the trail gets flooded in some places following inclement weather, forcing me to dodge a few puddles. Another warning is to pay heed to the crosswalk traffic signals during rush hour-I’ve seen a a few near accidents with cars and joggers who think they have the right of way.

I love this running trail! I run here every Tuesday with the BON running club and on my own time to time.
Trail is shaded by beautiful trees and it wraps around the entire university and stadium. It’s about a 5k (3 mile) run aground the neighborhood of Rice Village and part of medical center.

The running trail at Rice is definitely a nice change of scenery compared to the urban landscape that is the TMC/​museum district/​downtown. The outer loop as many Rice people call it is approximately 3 miles and covered by trees for the entire distance keeping you in the shade even though it can get really hot in that Houston heat/​humidity.
You’ll find lots of company along the loop in the mornings and evenings. There are a couple of hazards on the trail that are spray painted bright orange so you can see them during the day, but once it gets dark just be sure you keep an eye out for tree roots, overhanging branches and what not.
If for some reason you find yourself in need of assistance due to heat exhaustion or some other injury, you can always press the blue light phone or call 713−348−6000 for Rice Police/​EMS help!

I’ve just recently started running in an attempt to live a healthier lifestyle, and I really enjoyed running the Rice Outer Loop. I’ve been in Houston for 5 years, and my fiancé went to Rice for undergrad, so it’s not surprising that we would wind up here to run.
I hate running outside. I’m a treadmill person through and through. But since he keeps asking if I’ll go with him, I chose that it would be a good idea on a night that wasn’t too hot in the Houston summer. Running at night can be a little dangerous (from the tree roots) but you’ll almost always feel personally safe while you run the 3 miles around campus. I’ll probably be back with him sometime soon, maybe once a week, so long as the heat/​humidity doesn’t tell me that the gym at my complex would be a better idea.

If I had my «druthers,» I would make this trail a lot wider. However, this is my go-​to when I want to run outside in Houston. Here’s my reasoning:
1. Parking isn’t too impossible. There are plenty of nearby street parking (my preference is from Shakespeare), lots, etc.
2. Shaded runs. There are nice mature trees lining most of this trail. If you’re lucky and it’s springtime, you can smell the lovely jasmine along Rice Blvd’s leg.
3. Water fountains, on the Sunset Blvd side close to Main St. and one on University Blvd close to Lot 5 and Loop Rd.
4. Pedestrian-​friendly area. Cars out here understand that this is first and foremost a student/​pedestrian area and also a running trail. They are SIGNIFICANTLY more considerate and accommodating than the rest of normal Houston.
5. BON Running Club on Tuesday nights. They make the atmosphere most fun if not a little crowded.
6. It’s a near perfect 3-​mile trail. Great for the casual 5k. AND it’s easy to extend your run into nearby neighborhoods or Hermann Park.
On the downside,
1. Perhaps that trail could be widened a bit,
2. There are some uneven patches which have not lent to a recurring injury I have, and
3. It is susceptible to rain since it is a dirt /​crushed granite trail.
Overall, I must say that I come here to run (whenever I’m motivated and uninjured…)