HomeWashingtonTacoma › Swan Creek Park

Swan Creek Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 199 Google reviews · Running trail in Tacoma, Washington · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Swan Creek Park'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.

PavedScenicDog-friendlyStroller / ADARestroomsTrailhead parking

Wooded park with cross-country bike trails and walking paths, as well as picnic tables and a dog park.

What runners say about Swan Creek Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (199 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 4 mentions

“So much has been done to clean it up and much more work is still being done.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 3 mentions

“The dog park is beautiful and makes for a pleasant walk with our pup.”

We've loved going to this park since moving to the area. The new improvements are quite welcome. The dog park is beautiful and makes for a pleasant walk with our pup. We've just had a taste of the new mixed use path and our toddler loved it. Looking forward to getting to see more at the park.

★★★★☆ — Jami , Dec 2021

Swan Creek Park has around four miles of purpose-built Mountain Biking trails, Maintained by Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance. There is an additional three miles of walking only trails. There is several places you can park.

★★★★★ — Evan , Feb 2019

I've been hiking here for years. BEST hike in Tacoma by far. I've spent entire days in this Park on numerous trails. If you're into mountain biking, there are miles of bike trails from Green/blue up to double black. Small trials location, and I noticed even more track added my last visit in the snow.

★★★★★ — Malik , Feb 2019

Love this place for mountain biking. Greatly maintained trails for beginners to experts. Nice forest canopy to keep you somewhat cool during the summer. Just what Tacoma needed!

★★★★★ — Mauricio , Jun 2018

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 199 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 4 mentions

“The dog park is beautiful and makes for a pleasant walk with our pup.”

More trails like this →

🐕 Dog-friendly 2 mentions

“The dog park is beautiful and makes for a pleasant walk with our pup.”

More trails like this →

Stroller / ADA accessible 2 mentions

“Great trails and easily accessible for anyone in the Tacoma area.”

More trails like this →

🛣️ Paved surface

“There's even a large paved section that's an unfinished subdivision for those not wanting to off-road.”

More trails like this →

🅿️ Trailhead parking

“Another option for parking is at the end of 56th st.”

More trails like this →

🚻 Restrooms

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Swan Creek Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • 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
  • Websitemetroparkstacoma.org
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 6 am–9 pm
Tuesday 6 am–9 pm
Wednesday 6 am–9 pm
Thursday 6 am–9 pm
Friday 6 am–9 pm
Saturday 6 am–9 pm
Sunday 6 am–9 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 Swan Creek Park

1921, 2099 E 56th St, Tacoma, WA 98404

Get directions

Running trails near Tacoma

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

Pipeline Trail

4 ★★★★☆ 24 reviews

Tacoma, WA

PavedLit

under a mile away

Swan Creek Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 851 reviews

Tacoma, WA

MixedScenicDog-friendly

Park with trails for walking & mountain biking, a community garden, wooded canyon & upland forests.

1.2 miles away

Puyallup Levee Trail Access

4.4 ★★★★☆ 5 reviews

Fife, WA

2.2 miles away

McKinley Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 640 reviews

Tacoma, WA

MixedScenicDog-friendly

Green space with 26+ acres sporting tree-lined trails, a 7-acre dog park, 2 playgrounds & a pond.

2.2 miles away

Wapato Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 3,499 reviews

Tacoma, WA

MixedScenicDog-friendly

Urban park featuring a woodland area, a lake, walking trail & dog park, plus a historic pergola.

2.5 miles away

Dacca Park Sports Complex

4.4 ★★★★☆ 431 reviews

Fife, WA

PavedLitDog-friendly

This neighborhood spot has sports facilities including baseball, soccer, sand volleyball & track.

2.7 miles away

All running trails in Tacoma, 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.