Home › Oregon › Springfield › Thurston Hills Trailhead
Thurston Hills Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 50 Google reviews · Running trail in Springfield, Oregon · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- 12 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Thurston Hills Trailhead'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.
What runners say about Thurston Hills Trailhead
“People were very nice and outgoing as well kept to there selves too witch was awesome”
“This is a gorgeous hike and very family friendly.”
For longer hike park one car at other side at quartz Park. Other car at main trailhead on hwy 126. This way you get southern Vistas and sun exposure in back side then the forest on other half. Right now feb 2021 the upper mossy section is muddy galore so come prepared.
What a beautiful new area to explore! The gravel path is fine for a stroller, and children under 10 were well worked and very tired! A mellow, uphill grade, made a nice walk through the forest a bit of a workout, but still not what I would call hard by any means.
Easily by far the best park in Springfield/Eugene. Very, very well designed. Seriously, great job designing this park. The trail feels like one of the trails upriver, very immersive.
This is a gorgeous hike and very family friendly. The tail is marked for distance, lots of trees, sometimes you’ll see some wildlife, dog friendly, has a detailed map at the beginning of the trail, public restrooms and a paved parking lot. By far one of our families favorite places to get out of the house.
Trail conditions & character
“Great in town MTB trail, climb the fireroad all the way to the top for the best workout of your life.”
“Took the main trail, then the Spine Trail out to the hills overlook.”
“Right now feb 2021 the upper mossy section is muddy galore so come prepared.”
“There is a bike fixing station, a dog, bike or shoe washing area and a spigot of filtered water to fill your jug!”
“The gravel path is fine for a stroller, and children under 10 were well worked and very tired!”
Plan your run at Thurston Hills Trailhead
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
- Distance12 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. 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.
- Websitewillamalane.org
- Social Instagram · Facebook
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.
Thurston Hills Natural Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 271 reviews
Forest-lined trails for biking and hiking, plus kids' friendly paths in a 665-acre recreation area.
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.