Banks-Vernonia State Trail

Notes

Banks-Vernonia State Trail is the first “rails-to-trails” state park in Oregon. It’s built on an old railroad bed that stretches 21 miles from Banks to Vernonia.

The trail has an eight-foot wide hiking and biking path, and a four-foot wide horse path. The gentle slope makes it easy for hikers, bikers, horse riders, and people of all abilities to enjoy the beautiful mountains, fields, and forests of Washington and Columbia counties.

The railway line started in the 1920s when it was used to move logs and lumber from the Oregon-American lumber mill in Vernonia, and to carry freight and passengers from Keasey to Portland. When the lumber mill closed in 1957, the railroad stopped using the line. In 1960, the line was leased to the Vernonia South Park and Sunset Railroad, which ran a steam excursion train for five years.

The line was abandoned and the rails were salvaged in 1973. The right-of-way was bought by the State Highway Department in 1974, and was officially transferred to Oregon Parks and Recreation Department in 1990.

Besides the great views and scenery, the trail has 12 bridges, including the Horseshoe Trestle and Buxton Trestle—two 600-foot long, 80-foot high railroad trestles.