Banks-Vernonia State Trail
- Status
- Open (per official listing)
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- stateparks.oregon.gov(503) 324-0606
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 3
Alert General advisoryThis park is within the Washington County permanent quarantine zone for all ash, olive, and white fringe tree materials. These tree materials,… (more)
This park is within the Washington County permanent quarantine zone for all ash, olive, and white fringe tree materials. These tree materials, including firewood, must stay within the county where they were collected to help slow the spread of the emerald ash borer, a highly invasive insect, sighted in this county. Help protect our forests by following these firewood tips: • Buy firewood local to your campsite: Choose firewood harvested within 10 miles of your destination or buy certified heat-treated firewood. • Avoid transporting restricted wood: Do not bring ash, olive, or white fringe tree materials into any Oregon State Park even if it’s within the same quarantine area. When in doubt about the tree species, leave it out. Learn more about the quarantine and emerald ash borer.
Posted by the park 2024-09-04. Official alert
Alert General advisoryAdditional Parking These parking spaces are an agreement with the city and do not necessarily reflect the Park Day Use Hours. If the parking lot at… (more)
Additional Parking These parking spaces are an agreement with the city and do not necessarily reflect the Park Day Use Hours. If the parking lot at the trailhead is full, additional parking is available at Five Star Builders, (13981 NW Main Street, Banks, OR) which is across the road from the trailhead parking lot and Ziply Fiber Optics located just down Main Street. Parking at Five Star Builders is available as follows: • Monday-Friday from 5:00 pm until dusk • Saturday, Sunday and State Holidays from 7:00 am until dusk
Posted by the park 2022-09-29. Official alert
Construction Construction advisoryThe Shoofly Trail southern bridge is closed for safety. There is a temporary crossing in place until repairs can be completed.
Posted by the park 2021-10-19. Official alert
Overview
Banks-Vernonia State Trail is a trail in Columbia County, in Vernonia.
Visitors come for horseback riding, wildlife watching, biking, hiking, and picnicking.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trails — What hours are trailheads | Daily | 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. | May 1 – Sep 1 |
| Daily | 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Sep 2 – Nov 2 | |
| Daily | 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Nov 3 – Mar 8 | |
| Daily | 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Mar 9 – Apr 30 |
Official wording
What hours are trailheads open? The Banks-Vernonia State Trail closing hours vary depending on time of year: May 1 - Sep. 1, 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sep. 2 - Nov. 2, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Nov. 3 - March 8, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. March 9 - April 30, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Los Angeles).
Pets
Pets must be physically restrained (held or on a leash no longer than six feet) except in designated off-leash areas or inside a vehicle, tent or pet-friendly yurt/cabin; owners pick up after pets.
Statewide rule from Oregon's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Fees and passes
'Oregon State Parks waives day-use parking fees at more than 150 parks'. Campers' receipts count as a permit. Oregon Coast Passports sold in 2026 are not accepted.
Statewide fee rule from Oregon's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
Oregon park passes
- 12-month day-use parking permit — $60 Oregon residents; $75 non-residents. Day-use parking at parks that require a day-use parking permit Details
- Daily parking permit — $10 per day per vehicle (residents); $12 (non-residents). Parking for the day at any state park that requires a day-use parking permit Details
From the Oregon state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveAmerica (oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com)
- Phone
- 800-452-5687
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
Can I park overnight at the trailheads?
Trailheads are designated for day-use visitors. There is no overnight parking allowed at any trailhead.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
HikingHorseback ridingWildlife viewing and birdingBikingPicnicking
Trails
Trail Highlights
Trail highlights include 13 bridges and views from the 733-foot long, 80-foot high Buxton Trestle, open to hikers and bicyclists. 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.
Access the trail from one of the five trailheads, which have parking and restrooms. The trail also connects to L.L. Stub Stewart State Park. See our trail map for details and an elevation profile.
Read more from the park
For more information about bike trails throughout Washington County, visit ridewithgps.com.
Share the Trail
Enjoy a safe and pleasant experience by following these guidelines.
- 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.
- Bridge decking may be uneven and slippery. Approach and cross with caution.
- Cell phone service is limited. Tell someone your plan for the day.
- Pets must be leashed (6-foot maximum) in all areas, at all times.
- Please remove all animal waste.
Where can I park to access the trail?
Each of the five trailheads has a parking area. See the Banks-Vernonia State Trail map for details.
In addition, parking is available in Banks after hours at Five Star Builders, 13981 NW Main St:
- Monday - Friday, 5 p.m. - dusk
- Saturday, Sunday and state holidays, 7 a.m. - dusk
Can I ride an e-bike?
A person may operate an Electric Assisted Bicycle (e-bike) on roads and trails eight feet or wider unless otherwise posted. Currently the Banks-Vernonia State Trail fits that designation.
Electric Assisted Bicycle is defined by ORS 801.258 as:
1. Equipped with an electric motor, power output no more than 1,000 watts and can go no faster than 20 miles per hour.
2. Has a saddle (seat) for the rider.
3. Is designed to travel with no more than three wheels in contact with the ground.
4. Has both fully operative pedals for human propulsion and an electric motor.
5. Is designed to be operated on the ground on wheels.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Flush toilets
- Picnic areas
- Parking
Recreation
- Horse trails
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Accessible amenities: Restrooms Flush, Hiking Trails
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Nearest town
- Vernonia
- Coordinates
- 45.8574, -123.1858
- Phone
- (503) 324-0606
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Oregon State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Dec 19, 2025
- Oregon State Parks park finder JSON (services/park.cfc?method=getAll), used by the Find a Park page
- Wikidata
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology