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Portage Creek Wildlife Reserve
4 ★★★★☆ 69 Google reviews · Running trail in Arlington, Washington · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Crushed gravel
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Portage Creek Wildlife Reserve'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.
Hiking destination featuring open grasslands and trails through a wetland complex.
What runners say about Portage Creek Wildlife Reserve
“Nice quiet place to enjoy wildlife and have peace, could be romantic with a little effort.”
Large expanse of grassland with a border of evergreens with lumpy surface to a bench facing a view of a busy street and mountains beyond. Not much going on, and that traffic noise nearby makes it unappealing. The gravel driveway is easy to miss and the parking lot could only hold half a dozen vehicles.
I didn't want to give it five stars because I did not make it all the way through. The short part that I did, it was fun and very peaceful. Great to just think and talk without having to go far from home and hiking a mountain.
Trail wasn't groomed recently (4/21/19) but the sound of the wind and Wildlife, mixed with the occasional small plane overhead, was great.
Trail conditions & character
“Nice quiet place to enjoy wildlife and have peace, could be romantic with a little effort.”
“The gravel driveway is easy to miss and the parking lot could only hold half a dozen vehicles.”
“The gravel driveway is easy to miss and the parking lot could only hold half a dozen vehicles.”
Plan your run at Portage Creek Wildlife Reserve
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceCrushed gravel — the rail-trail classic: softer than asphalt, still smooth enough for tempo work
- 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
- Websitesnohomishcountywa.gov
- Phone+1 360-435-3441
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 |
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