Hiking in Washington County is More Than a Walk in the Park

Set off the beaten path and journey into Washington County’s amazing countryside. Whether your preferred mode of transportation is by foot, bike, wheelchair or horse, there are plenty of trails to allow you to explore the verdant Oregon outdoors.

Located in Buxton, just 31 miles west of downtown Portland, L.L. “Stub” Stewart State Park, (pictured here) is a 1,654-acre full-service park with 15 miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails, for day use or overnight camping. Lush rolling hills, forests and deep canyons allow for an exhilarating hike, complete with great bird watching, wildflower walks and other relaxing pursuits.

A stretch of the linear Banks-Vernonia State Trail runs through the park. This 21-mile trail – part of the Rails-to-Trails conservancy program – is open to all non-motorized users, including horseback riders, bicyclists, walkers and hikers. 

The trail, the first “rails-to-trails” state park in Oregon, was built on an abandoned railroad line that stretches from the town of Banks to the city of Vernonia. The trail – several miles of which are paved – features an eight-foot wide hiking and bicycle trail, paralleled by a four-foot wide horse trail, 12 bridges and two railroad trestles, with a moderate grade. Hikers, bicyclists, equestrians and people of all abilities can take to the trails and enjoy the scenic mountains, fields, forests and wildlife along the way.

Overnight guests at the Stub Stewart State Park (there is no camping on the Banks-Vernonia State Trail) have a choice of setting up camp at one of several drive-up, hike-in and RV campsites, or in one of the park’s rustic cabins. Equestrians have the option of settling into the region’s only full-service horse camp, Hares Canyon Horse Camp.

Located just miles from Washington County’s wine country, in Gaston, is the calm serenity of Hagg Lake and Scoggins Valley Park, where 15 miles of hiking and biking trails (plus 10.5 miles of hard surface, multi-purpose shoulders for cyclists along the perimeter road that circles the lake) complement a day of exploration. Located at the base of Oregon’s scenic coastal range, the area provides several flora and fauna observation sites, picnic areas and a disc golf course.

So bring your hiking boots, bikes, horses and whatever mode of transportation you prefer and set out to discover why Washington County, Oregon, is where you can lose yourself in the beauty of the outdoors.