Thurston Hills Natural Area
Thurston Hills Natural Area provides 665 acres of land dedicated to recreation and habitat restoration in east Springfield. This area opened to the public in 2017, providing a growing trail system for hikers, mountain bikers, and nature lovers.
There are currently over 12 miles of trails in Thurston Hills Natural Area. Four of these trails provide separate, dedicated mountain bike access for seasonal downhill use only. These are the region's first natural-surface mountain bike trails, providing both beginner and intermediate mountain bike experiences. Trails are accessible from the North Trailhead (7575 McKenzie Hwy), just south of McKenzie Hwy on the eastern edge of Springfield. The trailhead includes restrooms, an information kiosk, a picnic table, water, and a bike cleaning and repair station.
Mountain Biking at Thurston Hills Natural Area
To preserve the structure of the trails through winter, the North Trailhead at Thurston Hills Natural Area is now closed to bikes for the rainy season. This seasonal closure includes the Acer Spades, Chinquapin Chutes, Super Maple, and Yew Haw trails. Mossy Maple (Upper and Lower) trails are closed to bikes, but remain open to hikers. The Basalt Rim Trail, Camas Crest (Upper and Lower) Trail, and Cervus Road remain open to bike traffic all year.
Trail Status:
- Acer Spades: Closed
- Basalt Rim: Open
- Chinquapin Chutes: Closed
- Camas Crest (Upper): Open
- Camas Crest (Lower): Open
- Mossy Maple (Upper and Lower): Closed to bikes
- Super Maple: Closed
- Yew Haw: Closed
- Cedar Shark: Closed
Notices:
- Heavy machinery may be present at the North Trailhead and near Chinquapin Chutes Trail for power line maintenance.
- The Upper Camas Crest Trail is now open. Use caution as the trail narrows in some sections and is shared by hikers and bikers.
- Several trails are closed to bikes for the rainy season.
Explore the Trails
Download Trail Maps
Peter DeFazio Trail System Map
Mossy Maple Trail (lower)
- 1.5 miles
- Hiking and uphill mountain biking
- Connects to Mossy Maple Trail (upper)
- Accessible from North Trailhead
- Closed to bikes during rainy season
Mossy Maple Trail (upper)
- 1.5 miles
- Hiking and mountain biking
- Connects to Yew Haw Trail and Basalt Rim Trail
- Closed to bikes during rainy season
Camas Crest Trail (upper and lower)
- .3 miles
- Hiking and uphill mountain biking
- Connects to Cervus Road
- Open to biking all year
Basalt Rim Trail
- 1 mile
- Hiking and mountain biking
- Connects to Mossy Maple Trail and Cascadian Thumb Trail
- Open to biking all year
Cascadian Thumb Trail
- .4 miles
- Hiking only, 1-way traffic
- Connects to Basalt Rim Trail and Super Maple Trail
Acer Spades Trail
- 1.1 miles
- Beginner downhill mountain biking only, no hiking
- Connects to Mossy Maple Trail (lower) and Chinquapin Chutes Trail
- Accessible from North Trailhead
- Closed during rainy season
Super Maple Trail
- 1 mile
- Intermediate mountain biking downhill only, no hiking
- Connects to Basalt Rim Trail
- Closed during rainy season
Yew Haw Trail
- 1 mile
- Intermediate mountain biking downhill only, no hiking
- Connects to Mossy Maple Trail (upper)
- Closed during rainy season
Chinquapin Chutes Trail
- .6 miles
- Double black diamond mountain biking downhill only, no hiking
- Connects to Acer Spades Trail
- Closed during rainy season
Cedar Shark Trail
- Black diamond mountain biking downhill only, no hiking
- Connects to Chinquapin Chutes Trail
- Closed during rainy season
Wildfire Prevention and Habitat Restoration
Willamalane conducts periodic controlled ecological burns and pile burning in the oak prairie at Dorris Ranch in an effort to restore rare oak habitat and reduce wildfire risk.
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