Accessible Trails in Columbia County Oregon

Columbia County is one of the greater Portland metropolitan areas located north of Portland.

Banks-Vernonia State Trail - Vernonia Trailhead

Directions:

Take Highway 26 west to the Highway 47 exit (just past Manning). Go north until you reach Vernonia. Turn right, then turn right onto Jefferson.

Features:

The 21-mile Banks-Vernonia State Trail is developed on an abandoned railroad bed stretching between Banks in Washington County, and Vernonia in Columbia County. Highlights of this trail are the small rural farms and towns, old railroad trestles, beautiful creeks and miles and miles of forested trail. The railroad grade is gentle, climbing gradually to Tophill and descending gradually to the town of Vernonia. Several trailheads provide access along the trail, none require a parking permit. Most of the trail is paved and suitable for wheelchair use, but there are a few gravel stretches at the Tophill section and again just north of the Manning Trailhead. See the Banks-Vernonia State Trail brochure for more details.

Vernonia's Anderson Park is a good trailhead for wheelchair users to start at because it has good parking and ADA restrooms. Heading south, the trail is paved and relatively flat from Anderson Park for 7 miles past the county line. Click the map to see this portion of the trail.

Beaver Creek Trailhead is 4 miles from Anderson Park. It has Parking, vault restrooms, and picnicking. For those that can continue further, you will encounter a few gravel sections, scenic woods, some rolling hills, wildflowers, and a couple old railroad trestles (see Washington County).

Other:

Anderson Park has picnicking and camping including full hookup sites. An RV dump station is also available.There are ADA restroom/shower facilities. The river is nearby for fishing and swimming (accessibility unknown).

Note: Wind storms and flooding in 2007 damaged the Vernonia area. Check to see if this part of the trail has reopened before planning this trip.

The paved trail at Anderson Park also extends north for about 2 miles to Vernonia Lake where there are ADA wheelchair accessible fishing docks and restrooms and a paved trail around it. There is a primitive camping area with fire pits and drinking water. The lake has a non- ADA boat ramp (gas powered motors are not allowed). The shallow lake contains Bass, Crappie, Perch and Bluegill, and is stocked each year in March/April with Rainbow Trout. Parking at Vernonia Lake requires a small fee.

For more on Columbia County see South Columbia Chamber of Commerce and Columbia County Parks.

Crown Zellerbach Trail

Directions:

Take Highway 30 to Scappose. Located on Crown Zellerbach Road between Highway 30 and Chapman Landing

Features:

Although not yet open (April 2007) keep an eye on this new rail-to-trails project. The CZ Trail is being developed along an old railroad/logging road corridor with hard packed gravel on the 12' wide trail from Highway 30 to Vernonia and paving in the Scappoose area, from Highway 30 to Chapman Landing.

Scappoose Bay Nature Trail

Directions:

Head out on Hwy 30 from Portland toward Astoria, go thru Scappoose and turn right on Bennett road onto Old Portland Road. Just before St. Helens. The Scappoose Bay Marine Park is located just off to the right. Drive two miles south of St. Helens along Old Portland Road. Look for signs indicating a turnoff from Highway 30 toward the river.

Features:

Scappoose Bay Marine Park has an accessible 1 mile nature trail with interpretive signage. (There are a few tree roots that have broke through the surface making small bumps in the trail.)

Other:

The marina has ADA restrooms, parking, and river access with a fishing dock and walking bridge, large picnic areas, a small grocery store, and gazebo.

Scappoose Bay located near the tip of Sauvies Island is a protected waterway off the Multnomah Channel and influenced by the Lower Columbia River. Rich in wildlife and marine study, the bay is a matrix of islands, waterways, tidal flats, and marshes.

If you are able to canoe or kayak, check out the nearby Lower Columbia River Water Trail. Rentals, launch capabilities and store supplies are available at the Marine Park.

Take a side trip to St. Helens Olde Towne area. Turn off Highway 30 and follow the signs to the courthouse, a basalt Georgian Revival style structure built at the turn of the century. The Olde Towne area is among the most charming town centers in the area, with restaurants and funky little shops. The boat dock behind the courthouse was rebuilt several years ago. View Park offers a gazebo and picnic areas.