Park rangers from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will be leading hikes on January 1st as part of its “First Day Hikes” program. The hikes nearest to our county are on the Buxton Trailhead of the Banks-Vernonia Trail, and inside the interior trail system of Stub Stewart State Park.
The L.L. Stub Stewart hike will start at 9am at Hilltop Day-Use Area and lasts until 11am, though you’re welcome to keep hiking as long as you want. Expected distance is three miles.
The Banks-Vernonia Trail hike will start at 11am at Buxton Trailhead and lasts until 1pm. Again, keep going as far as you want.
Oregon Equestrian Trails is doing a concurrent “First Day Ride”, but you have to bring your own horse. It also starts at Buxton Trailhead at 11am.
A full list of other hikes available across Oregon, including Milo McIver State Park, Silver Falls State Park, and Champoeg State Heritage Site, can be found here:
2024 First Day Hikes by Oregon State Parks
Stub Stewart State Park is 11 miles south of Vernonia off of Highway 47. Hikers will meet at the Hilltop Day Use Area and all parking fees are waived for the day. You can see directions from Vernonia here. The official post for the Stub Stewart State Park Hike can be found here.
You’ll find Buxton Trailhead next to the Buxton Trestle on NW Bacona Road in Buxton, just north of where Highway 47 intersects Highway 26. Directions from Vernonia are here. The official post for the Banks-Vernonia Hike can be found here.
If you get the chance to participate, we hope you have a great time. Start off the new year with some fresh air!
Wild Columbia County 