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Wapato Hills Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 590 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 Wapato Hills 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

Public park offering picnic tables and basketball courts, plus a playground and hiking trails.

What runners say about Wapato Hills Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (590 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 4 mentions

“But the paths on the hill themselves don't look very well maintained and give the impression of a wild, abandoned place.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 4 mentions

“Park is beautiful, trails are neverending the dog loves it.”

🐕 dog-walking favorite 4 mentions

“Park is beautiful, trails are neverending the dog loves it.”

Good, hilly, medium sized public park with hiking/running trails, basketball courts, playground and ball field. Limited public parking - the only I could find is at the corner of South Fife st and 58th.

★★★★☆ — Frank , Sep 2020

Excellent park to visit in the spring, very quiet aside from the occasional cargo plane coming in for a landing at the nearby base. Def want to come back and explore more of the trails with the dog.

★★★★★ — Sam , Apr 2024

Park is beautiful, trails are neverending the dog loves it. Perfect for a baseball, basketball, and big enough for football games for family and friends 👍👍

★★★★★ — Tim , Mar 2025

The best place to walk,do jogging, running. Well kept.Also good place to walk dogs. kids loves to go there on playground.

★★★★★ — Philip , Apr 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 590 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.

🐕 Dog-friendly 7 mentions

“Def want to come back and explore more of the trails with the dog.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 5 mentions

“Love the view of the lake, ducks are entertaining and playground is fun for kids.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking

“Limited public parking - the only I could find is at the corner of South Fife st and 58th.”

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🛣️ Paved surface

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🚻 Restrooms

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Stroller / ADA accessible

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Plan your run at Wapato Hills 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.
  • Websitemetroparkstacoma.org
  • Phone+1 253-305-1000
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 6:30 am–8 pm
Tuesday 6:30 am–8 pm
Wednesday 6:30 am–8 pm
Thursday 6:30 am–8 pm
Friday 6:30 am–8 pm
Saturday 6:30 am–8 pm
Sunday 6:30 am–8 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 Wapato Hills Park

6231 S Wapato St, Tacoma, WA 98409

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.

Wapato Park

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Swan Creek Park

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

3.1 miles away

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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.