Gnat Creek Trail: A campground, fish hatchery, and streamside trail that winds through relatively undisturbed forest. Gnat Creek Overview
– Introducing kids to “herping” at Gnat Creek

Scout Lake: A sometimes-stocked lake with primitive camping tucked back into the forest. Scout Lake Overview

Jones Beach: An extended beach with kiteboarding and fishing opportunities. Jones Beach Overview

Beaver Creek Falls: A short, steep hike down to an impressive falls. Beaver Creek Falls Overview

Fox Creek Trail: A nature trail around a reclaimed city creek. Fox Creek Trail Overview

Rainier Riverfront Park: City park bordering a reclaimed city creek. Rainier Riverfront Park Overview
– What happened to Laurel Beach Park?

Dibblee Beach County Park: A riverside beach park with fishing and picnic opportunities. Dibblee Beach County Park Overview

Prescott Beach County Park: A large riverside park with fishing and birdwatching opportunities. Prescott Beach County Park Overview

Trojan Park: Series of lakes in a manicured park with birdwatching opportunities. Trojan Park Overview

Jack Falls and Little Jack Falls: Pair of waterfalls connected by ancient overgrown highway. Jack Falls and Little Jack Falls Overview
– Old Highway 30 and Little Jack Falls

Trestle Beach: Public beach on the Columbia River, accessed by a short trail. Trestle Beach Overview

Dalton Lake Nature Preserve: A bike trail through a bit of urban forest which connects to a walking path around a beaver lake. Dalton Lake Overview
– Dalton Lake nostalgia

Columbia Botanical Gardens: A short nature trail through a patch of forest in the middle of town. Columbia Botanical Gardens Overview

Liberty Hill Camas Bluff: A privately owned bluff holding the largest remaining camas flower meadow in Columbia County. Friends of Liberty Hill Camas Bluff
– Stepping foot on Liberty Hill
– What makes Liberty Hill special

Sand Island Marine Park: A man-made island in the Columbia River with a marina and campground. Sand Island Marine Park Overview

Nob Hill Nature Park: A short nature trail that preserves some oak woodland. Nob Hill Overview
– Fall Walk at Nob Hill Nature Park

McCormick Park: A pleasingly wild city park with a forested creek and walking trail. McCormick Park Overview

St. Helens Tree Farm and Salmonberry Reservoir: A quiet lake in forested hills with logging roads to hike. St. Helens Tree Farm Overview
– Morning Stroll around Salmonberry Reservoir

Camp Wilkerson: Large campground in forest with miles of hiking trails. Camp Wilkerson Overview

Scaponia Park: Developed campground on the East Fork Nehalem River just off of the CZ Trail. Scaponia Park Overview

CZ Trail – Nehalem Divide to Wilark Trailhead: The remote end of Columbia County’s longest trail. CZ Trail: Nehalem Divide to Wilark Trailhead Overview
– Nehalem Divide on the CZ Trail

Big Eddy Park: Developed campground on the Nehalem River just off of Highway 47. Big Eddy Park Overview

Gunners Lakes: A trio of lakes in a backwoods area of southern Columbia County. Gunners Lakes Overview

Vernonia Lake City Park: City park with lake at trailhead to Banks-Vernonia State Trail. Vernonia Lake City Park Overview

Anderson Park: City park and campground with stream and river access. Connected to Banks-Vernonia State Trail. Anderson Park Overview

Nehalem River Park and Campground: City park and campground with river access. Nehalem River Park Overview

Banks-Vernonia State Trail: Columbia County’s other big trail, from Vernonia then south along Highway 47. Banks-Vernonia Trail Overview
– Long hike with Sophia on Banks-Vernonia

Scappoose Bay Marine Park: Public marina with a nature trail and campground, provides boating opportunities into a slough and the adjacent islands. Scappoose Bay Marine Park Overview

CZ Trail – Scappoose Trailhead to Chapman Landing: The east end of Columbia County’s longest trail, marshes with birdwatching opportunities. CZ Trail: Chapman Landing Overview
– Scappoose Trailhead to Chapman Landing

CZ Trail – Pisgah Trailhead to Ruley Trailhead: The middle stretch of Columbia County’s longest trail, parallels a creek through a mix of habitats including a waterfall. CZ Trail: Pisgah Trailhead to Ruley Trailhead Overview
– Family hike from Ruley Trailhead
– Cool geology along Crown Zellerbach Trail

Oak Island Nature Trail: A nature trail on Sauvie Island with many birdwatching opportunities. Oak Island Nature Trail Overview

Willow Bar Islands Trail: A short riverside trail on Sauvie Island with birdwatching opportunities. Willow Bar Islands Trail Overview
– Winter stroll at Sauvie Island

Warrior Point Trail: A longer trail on the northern tip of Sauvie Island that ends at a lighthouse. Warrior Point Trail Overview
– Winter stroll at Sauvie Island