Banks-Vernonia State Trail

Banks-Vernonia State Trail is the first “rails-to-trails” park in Oregon.

The gentle grade in all but one area allows hikers, bicyclists, equestrians and people of all abilities to enjoy the scenic mountains, fields and forests of Washington and Columbia counties.

Bridge decking may be uneven and slippery. Approach and cross with caution. Cell phone service is limited. Tell someone your plan for the day.

The trail follows an abandoned railroad bed that stretches 21 miles between the cities of Banks and Vernonia.

The trail consists of a paved 8-foot wide hiking and bicycle trail alongside a gravel trail for horses that's about 4-foot wide in most sections.

A ground-level equestrian bypass crosses Mendenhall Creek. The south end of the trail begins in Banks, a town of 1,900 surrounded by agricultural operations.

Heading north, the trail passes agricultural lands and riparian areas before reaching the thickly-forested foothills of the Coast Range and ending in Vernonia, a town of 2,200 surrounded by private timberland and small farms.

See our trail map for details and an elevation profile. For more information about bike trails throughout Washington County, visit ridewithgps. com . Drive an electric vehicle?

Travel at a safe speed. This is a multi-use path and is intended for slow speeds to prevent accidents. Announce your presence to other trail users before passing.

Pets must be leashed (6-foot maximum) in all areas, at all times. Please remove all animal waste.

This is the first "rails-to-trails" state park in Oregon. The railway line dates back to the 1920s and was used for logs, lumber, freight and passengers. Owners included the Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway and Burlington Northern. The line was abandoned and rails salvaged in 1973. Right of way was then purchased by the state in 1974 and transferred to OPRD in 1990.