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Wanschers Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 280 Google reviews · Running trail in Lacey, Washington · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Wanschers 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.
Wooded lakeside park covering 16 acres, with mountain views, trails, fishing & picnic tables.
What runners say about Wanschers Park
“People need to clean up after themselves and not leave glass and hooks all over.”
“This was a beautiful recreational area, there are many isolated picnic spots overlooking the lake.”
“Majestic park centered around a serene and glassy lake, rippled only by the occasional duck taking flight as if soaring to the snow capped mountain visible in the distance.”
“It was way more enjoyable in the morning as there was only 1 other person there, later in the day it tends to get busier with fishermen and dog walkers.”
Some short wooded trails lead to beautiful Hicks Lake with a spectacular view of Mt Rainier. Enjoyed walking my dog and sitting by the water taking in the view. Only downside is no restroom and a bit noisy on a beautiful Sunday afternoon but still able to find some solitude.
Great park. Reminds me of Mason lake where I grew up. I'd highly recommend visiting it. Great place to walk the dog or just get some shade. The boat launch is not far down the road from here and there is a potty there.
This was a beautiful recreational area, there are many isolated picnic spots overlooking the lake. They are lots of hiking trails, and lake access The lake is in the middle of a community, with a few others lakes peppered around the Olympia area.
Nice little park very primitive,picnic tables and garbage cans are the only added amenities.large mature trees are plentiful and healthy and easy paved walkways to grassy fields that lead to unimproved beaches for lake access mostly quiet and peaceful away from most of the houses that line the lake (Hicks Lake)
Trail conditions & character
“This was a beautiful recreational area, there are many isolated picnic spots overlooking the lake.”
“It was way more enjoyable in the morning as there was only 1 other person there, later in the day it tends to get busier with fishermen and dog walkers.”
“Majestic park centered around a serene and glassy lake, rippled only by the occasional duck taking flight as if soaring to the snow capped mountain visible in the distance.”
“Some short wooded trails lead to beautiful Hicks Lake with a spectacular view of Mt Rainier.”
“Only downside is no restroom and a bit noisy on a beautiful Sunday afternoon but still able to find some solitude.”
Plan your run at Wanschers Park
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
- 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.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitelaceyparks.org
- Phone(360) 491-0857
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–9 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–9 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–9 PM |
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