HomeWashingtonShelton › Hilburn Preserve - Capitol Land Trust

Hilburn Preserve - Capitol Land Trust

4.6 ★★★★★ 97 Google reviews · Running trail in Shelton, Washington · Dawn to dusk

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Dawn to dusk

Confirmed from Hilburn Preserve - Capitol Land Trust'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.

Natural surfaceLoopScenicDog-friendlyStroller / ADARestroomsTrailhead parkingQuiet

Nature preserve offering a peaceful walk that's good for kids.

What runners say about Hilburn Preserve - Capitol Land Trust

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (97 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 6 mentions

“Pretty clean as well minus those with dogs who have failed to clean up their dogs doo doo mess.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“Beautiful lil spot great place to bring your dog or kids or both!”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 7 mentions

“Clean and quiet and perfect place to bring a friend and have a slow walk.”

Beautiful lil spot great place to bring your dog or kids or both! Trails, water and some wildlife to view at times. Parking is ample evey time i have visited. Pretty clean as well minus those with dogs who have failed to clean up their dogs doo doo mess.

★★★★★ — Tammi , Jan 2026

Great little trail system. Walked for an hour or so stopping to take pictures.

★★★★★ — Mark , Sep 2018

Great walk. Sort of a Dead end after crossing railroad tracks. It leads to a spot where in spring or summer you can cross the creek. I spent today there and I gotta say it's great. I saw some salmon swimming up and down stream. It rained a bit but the canopy can be thick enough in places where you can stay pretty dry.

★★★★★ — Doc , Nov 2019

Beautiful trail with several benches to sit and watch the creek. Very relaxing little walk in nature. Clean and quiet and perfect place to bring a friend and have a slow walk. Take pictures, spend time sitting and talking if your with someone else because the trail is not long. Great escape.

★★★★☆ — James , Jan 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 97 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 8 mentions

“Beautiful lil spot great place to bring your dog or kids or both!”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 7 mentions

“However there was a lot of dog crap in the open area entrance so be careful where you step.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 7 mentions

“Clean and quiet and perfect place to bring a friend and have a slow walk.”

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🔁 Loop trail 2 mentions

“Loop trail is only about 1/2 mile long.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 2 mentions

“It's very out of the way and kind of hidden with the small parking area just behind a used car lot.”

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Stroller / ADA accessible 2 mentions

“Not for strollers or wheelchairs.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack

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🚻 Restrooms

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Plan your run at Hilburn Preserve - Capitol Land Trust

The practical stuff

  • AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • 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.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — 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.
  • Trail mapOfficial trail map
  • Websitecapitollandtrust.org
  • Phone+1 360-943-3012
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 7 am–7 pm
Tuesday 7 am–7 pm
Wednesday 7 am–7 pm
Thursday 7 am–7 pm
Friday 7 am–7 pm
Saturday 7 am–7 pm
Sunday 7 am–7 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Hilburn Preserve - Capitol Land Trust

26-198 W Hulbert Rd, Shelton, WA 98584

Get directions

Running trails near Shelton

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Goldsborough Fish Ladder Trailhead

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Callanan Park

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Secluded, green space offering softball and baseball fields, plus basketball courts, picnic tables, swings and a playground, as well as trails.

under a mile away

Loop Field

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Park offering a field for sports such as baseball and soccer, and a picnic area.

1.1 miles away

Ravenna Trail

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Shelton Creek Dam

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Kneeland Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 1,049 reviews

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PavedDog-friendly

Grass-covered park with a playground for kids, a fenced-off dog area and a basketball court.

1.4 miles away

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Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.