Banks-Vernonia State Trail, Rail trail in Washington and Columbia Counties, Oregon
The Banks-Vernonia State Trail is a forested pathway connecting two small towns through woodlands, wetlands, and open farmland. The route features a paved surface for walkers and cyclists, with a separate gravel section reserved for horse riders.
The route traces a former railroad built in the early 1900s that transported lumber from regional mills to distant markets. After the rail line closed in the 1950s, the corridor was eventually repurposed as a recreational trail.
The trail links two small towns with roots in the timber industry, and it remains a gathering place where locals and visitors alike enjoy outdoor activities together. It reflects how communities have transformed their industrial past into spaces for recreation and connection.
The trail is open year-round, though spring through fall offers the driest conditions for comfortable travel. Several entry points along the length make it easy to start wherever is most convenient for you.
The trail is dotted with old railroad bridges, including a tall wooden trestle viaduct that rises above the landscape like a relic from the past. These structures serve as quiet reminders of the trains that once rumbled across this land.
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