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Thurston Hills Natural Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 271 Google reviews · Running trail in Springfield, Oregon · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- 12 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Thurston Hills 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.
Forest-lined trails for biking and hiking, plus kids' friendly paths in a 665-acre recreation area.
What runners say about Thurston Hills Natural Area
“There are clearly marked bike-only paths, and there are well maintained walking/hiking paths.”
“Beautiful trees and flowers along the trails.”
“There are clearly marked bike-only paths, and there are well maintained walking/hiking paths.”
“Lots of Twisted mossy covered trees very peaceful It Starts out Crushed Gravel and then turns to Dirt or Sometimes Mud.”
“Very nice area, easy walking path, and good mountain biking trails.”
Excellent, accessible trails leading straight into wild forest. Well maintained, clean, uncrowded. The incline isn't intense at all, at least the first mile in. Which is as far as I've gotten so far.
I've hiked from the South entrance of Thurston Hills trails a few times. I'd give it 4.5. You can park your car at the Quartz Park, walk up Quartz Ave., up a dirt trail next to the last house on your left. Then go right onto Weyerhaesuer Rd. & in few mins.
Beautiful!!! You can have dogs if they're on their leash, but it is a mountain biking path as well so just be careful. There are clearly marked bike-only paths, and there are well maintained walking/hiking paths. It's so nice and quiet, you get to hear the birds chirping
Really great bike trails for all levels of riders. Acer Spades is a fun flowy trail with lots of berms, rollers, and a couple of small table tops. Yew Haw has some tighter berms, has a nice little chute, the longest flattest rock garden in the world, and a few small jumps to flat on the side if you know where to look.
Trail conditions & character
“There isn't a view but the forest is mossy and nice and there's little streams running along side at points.”
“Pros: parking at Quartz prk, 1 porta potty, nice open scenery, not too many hikers/bikers/dog walkers, wildflowers in Spring.”
“It's up the whole way (@2 miles)with elevation gain of @1,100feet but is switchbacks so it's not bad.”
“Chinquapin Chutes is a spicy technical downhill trail above my pay grade, but it's amazing to have a session spot for high level enduro or downhill riders.”
“Pros: parking at Quartz prk, 1 porta potty, nice open scenery, not too many hikers/bikers/dog walkers, wildflowers in Spring.”
“Pros: parking at Quartz prk, 1 porta potty, nice open scenery, not too many hikers/bikers/dog walkers, wildflowers in Spring.”
“Lots of Twisted mossy covered trees very peaceful It Starts out Crushed Gravel and then turns to Dirt or Sometimes Mud.”
“Lots of Twisted mossy covered trees very peaceful It Starts out Crushed Gravel and then turns to Dirt or Sometimes Mud.”
“In terms of time I spent biking was an hour, making the up/down loop on my mountain bike.”
“Excellent, accessible trails leading straight into wild forest.”
“On the hiking side there is a view, but to it is a 7.5 miles round trip if you start on the northern main parking area.”
“Yew Haw has some tighter berms, has a nice little chute, the longest flattest rock garden in the world, and a few small jumps to flat on the side if you know where to look.”
Plan your run at Thurston Hills Natural Area
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- Loop distance12 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — 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.
- Websitewillamalane.org
- Phone(541) 736-4544
- 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 |
Running trails near Springfield
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Vickery County Park
3.5 ★★★★☆ 11 reviews
Weyerhaeuser-McKenzie Natural Area Park
4.3 ★★★★☆ 134 reviews
Scenic area for fishing and hiking that offers views of the McKenzie River.
Mill Race Path, Jasper Road Trailhead
4.6 ★★★★★ 219 reviews
Scenic, tree-lined paved trail along a river that's popular for walking, biking, and jogging.
Georgia Pacific Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 22 reviews
Howard Buford Recreation Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 133 reviews
Mountain park featuring a wildlife refuge, marked trails, a mountain peak and an arboretum.