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Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge
4.7 ★★★★★ 630 Google reviews · Running trail in Cheney, Washington · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- 5.5 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge'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.
Bird & animal sanctuary on 16,000 acres of permanent & seasonal wetlands with hiking trails.
What runners say about Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge
“It’s clear they take pride in keeping the refuge so clean, accessible, and inviting for visitors.”
“Visitors can explore the various trails, which wind through beautiful habitats, with the option to hike or drive along designated routes to get closer to the wildlife.”
“The scenery changes with the seasons, offering something new and breathtaking each time, from vibrant wetlands and pine forests to serene lakes that perfectly mirror the sky.”
“Most are easy and suitable for all ages, making this an ideal spot for families, photographers, hikers, and anyone who just wants to reconnect with nature.”
Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge in Cheney, WA is truly one of those rare places that leaves a lasting impression on your soul. From the moment you enter, you can feel the peace and stillness that nature offers here.
Snakes! Snakes were everywhere today! We had a blast enjoying the wetland preserve! We did our share of squealing at the multitudes of baby snakes that were rustling in out of the grasses, especially as they quickly slithered off the warm asphalt walkways.
We went here for a hike with our dogs. The water is dirty so no dogs in there. Beautiful scenery and nice quiet place to walk. We saw a moose and other wildlife. It wasnt very challenging. There are three lengths of walk you can do here. Short (around the lake 1 mile), medium (3 miles ), long (6 miles).
Great little natural area and large enough that you really feel like you're away from the roads and city. We did a couple hikes and saved a couple for later, all around a mile round trip for the ones we did, and very easy (Bluebird and 30 Acre Lake).
Trail conditions & character
“Visitors can explore the various trails, which wind through beautiful habitats, with the option to hike or drive along designated routes to get closer to the wildlife.”
“The scenery changes with the seasons, offering something new and breathtaking each time, from vibrant wetlands and pine forests to serene lakes that perfectly mirror the sky.”
“One of the highlights of Turnbull is the 5.5-mile auto loop, which allows you to drive your car through the refuge at your own pace.”
“Turnbull NWR is a gem of a refuge that can disappoint and thrill at any turn on the driving loop.”
“We did our share of squealing at the multitudes of baby snakes that were rustling in out of the grasses, especially as they quickly slithered off the warm asphalt walkways.”
“It’s clear they take pride in keeping the refuge so clean, accessible, and inviting for visitors.”
“Also, the rangers are very nice & helpful and the bathrooms are clean.”
Plan your run at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- Loop distance5.5 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 trailheadrestrooms — 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.
- Websitefws.gov
- Phone(509) 235-4723
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–8 PM |
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