HomeWashingtonCentralia › Seminary Hill Natural Area

Seminary Hill Natural Area

4.5 ★★★★★ 373 Google reviews · Running trail in Centralia, Washington · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Seminary Hill Natural Area'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 surfaceScenicHilly

Hilltop natural area overlooking the city, providing over 2 miles of hiking trails & picnic tables.

What runners say about Seminary Hill Natural Area

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (373 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 4 mentions

“I picked up a trail map at the parking lot and hiked about a half dozen trails, all well-maintained.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 5 mentions

“It's a beautiful place we all have for local adventure.”

Beautiful green hill for hiking. Can be quite steep but was doable for my 4-year-old and 2-year-old and I who went on a 1.5 mile hike on the paths. Main negative: tons of mosquitoes. Didn't bother us too much if we kept moving but near the top we were absolutely swarmed.

★★★★☆ — Katie , Jun 2022

Went here on March 1, the day after record-setting February rain. The trails were obviously muddy but trekking poles kept me from slipping. It was actually partly sunny while I hiked from 11:30 - 1:00. I didn't see any other people until my last 15 minutes.

★★★★★ — Bren , Mar 2022

Be ready for a hike. The trails are short, but - they all go up, then back down. The main trailhead rises 150 ft plus in the mile and half route. Met a man who'd just finished 5 miles [about] loop, up into the natural are, out the top end, them down through town a d back to the start. Amazing.

★★★★☆ — Christopher , Oct 2025

Lovely hike. A must if you are in the Centralia area. Be aware that most hikers aren't wearing masks and it isn't possible to maintain 6 feet distance while passing each other on a path.

★★★★★ — Emily , Nov 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 373 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 6 mentions

“It's a beautiful place we all have for local adventure.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 5 mentions

“Beautiful green hill for hiking.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 4 mentions

“In early May, trail was mostly dry with a few muddy spots that were easy to get around.”

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Plan your run at Seminary Hill Natural Area

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • 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.
  • Websitecityofcentralia.com
  • Phone+1 360-330-7688

Hours

Monday 7 am–10 pm
Tuesday 7 am–10 pm
Wednesday 7 am–10 pm
Thursday 7 am–10 pm
Friday 7 am–10 pm
Saturday 7 am–10 pm
Sunday 7 am–10 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 Seminary Hill Natural Area

902 E Locust St, Centralia, WA 98531

Get directions

Running trails near Centralia

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

Cedar Street Park

3.7 ★★★★☆ 62 reviews

Centralia, WA

Lit

Playground for youngsters with a basketball court, plus a light show and other events.

1.1 miles away

Brick Wagner Park

3.6 ★★★★☆ 94 reviews

Centralia, WA

Scenic

Created in 1929, this quaint, dog-friendly, waterfront park offers fishing, picnic tables & benches.

1.4 miles away

Rotary Riverside Park

4.1 ★★★★☆ 472 reviews

Centralia, WA

PavedScenic

Riverfront open space spanning 14 acres with a skateboard park, trails, playing fields & playground.

1.6 miles away

Wilbur Parkins Park

3.4 ★★★☆☆ 51 reviews

Centralia, WA

1.7 miles away

Fort Borst Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 2,738 reviews

Centralia, WA

ShadedDog-friendly

Recreation area with a variety of sports fields, an arboretum, picnic spots & walking trails.

1.9 miles away

Schaefer County Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 526 reviews

Centralia, WA

PavedShadedScenic

Park offering a playground and trails, plus picnic tables, a river and various sport fields for recreation.

2.9 miles away

All running trails in Centralia, WA →

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.