Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Saint Helens, Oregon

This timberland traverse route offers a journey through lush landscapes of private timber company land and access to the pristine Tillamook State Forest. Adventurers are immediately greeted with a canopy of towering conifers and the soothing sounds of nature. The trail gradually ascends, providing g...
Learn more about Pittsburg Road

This is an easy trail that is mainly dirt with gravel. The trail has a few washouts and ruts. The trail is an out-and-back that offers some gorgeous views of Lake Merwin. There are a few areas that have overgrowth on the trail but nothing that will cause pin striping. You might encounter a few downe...
Learn more about PH-3000

The Powder Horn Spur is an easy, out-and-back gravel road branching off the main Powder Horn route. Suitable for most vehicles, the road features minimal elevation change and generally maintains a single-lane width, with several widened pull-outs available for parking or passing. As you drive, the ...
Learn more about Powder Horn Spur Road

Shaffer Road offers a scenic off-road route, providing an alternative to Apiary Road for travelers between Rainier and Vernonia, especially during its closures due to a washout at milepost 11. This route winds along the upper Clatskanie River through private timberlands, offering glimpses of serene ...
Learn more about Shaffer Road

Along this road, you will see a mixed bag of conifer and hardwood and possibly some wildlife as well. The trail is open year-round. During the winter months expect deep snow. Possible flats may happen if not careful or paying attention to the sharp rocks. Log trucks may also be coming down, use caut...
Learn more about Gunner Lake Mainline

Along this road, you will see a mixed bag of conifer and hardwood and possibly some wildlife as well. The trail is open year-round. During the winter months expect deep snow. Some areas have pit runs on them it seems like so have good tires. Possible flats may happen if not careful or paying attenti...
Learn more about Lower Gunner Lake Mainline

This forest road connects Apiary Road with Pittsburg Road and is relatively level. It is, however, a typical logging road with potholes, washboard, and the occasional windfall tree in the way. This route begins on Apiary Road adjacent to the Columbia County Park Camp Wilkerson. There's nothing extra...
Learn more about Karth Road

This is an easy trail that is mainly dirt with gravel. The trail has a few washouts and ruts but nothing that is overly challenging. There is one area of the trail where low-clearance vehicles might scrape their underbody. The trail leads to Fredrickson Road which can be used as a connecting point f...
Learn more about PH-4000

Along this road, you will see a mixed bag of conifer and hardwood. The trail is open year-round and offers the chance to see wildlife in the area. During the winter months expect deep snow. Possible flats may happen if not careful or paying attention to the sharp rocks, make sure to have good tires....
Learn more about Bacona-Pisgah Home Road

Easy scenic route through the woods that can be done in a 2WD with good clearance. There are wonderful views and plenty of side roads to check out and explore. There are also a few dispersed camping spots along the way. Be careful at blind corners, this road sees a decent amount of traffic and loggi...
Learn more about Powder Horn

Along this road, you will see a mixed bag of conifer and hardwood. The trail is open year-round and offers a great chance to see some wildlife. During the winter months expect deep snow. Possible flats may happen if not careful or paying attention to the sharp rocks. Log trucks may also be coming do...
Learn more about Hershey

This is an easy open route that passes through private timber land. There are beautiful views overlooking LL Stubb Stewart State Park. There is no camping along this route but this connector will offer a couple of options to go further north towards Washington state and patches of BLM land. You will...
Learn more about Hoffman Road

As you travel this road, you will pass through multiple private timberlands and BLM and you will be met with beautiful views, wildlife (if lucky), bicyclists, and vehicles. This crosses paths with the Banks-Vernonia trail as well. Be on the lookout for log trucks and keep an eye out for pull-outs--t...
Learn more about Northwest Bacona Road

L-1100 is located in the Yacolt Burn State Forest which is nestled at the base of the Cascade Mountain Range in Southwest Washington. These roads are well maintained and are gravel with very few potholes. There are houses and private property along this route for the first section of this trail. The...
Learn more about L-1100

On this trail, expect a peaceful atmosphere with a well-maintained gravel road. Most vehicles can handle it in dry conditions with no 4WD needed. You'll cruise at 15 to 25 mph, kicking up a bit of dust when there are dry conditions. The campground is open Thursday through Monday and has 9 spots. Ver...
Learn more about Cold Creek Camp

L-1200 is located in the Yacolt Burn State Forest. It's an easy gravel road that is well maintained by the state. Once on the trail, you will first cross the West Fork Washougal River where you can stop and enjoy the scenery and the small waterfall and even camp if you'd like. From there you continu...
Learn more about L-1200

This is a point-to-point trail that will connect you between 2 other trails in the area. It will also lead you to the Yacoult Burn Trailhead where you can access the area's hiking trail. There is also access to Cold Creek Campground. The trail is mainly a wide gravel road that is comprised of loose ...
Learn more about L-1000

Larch Mountain L-1500 is located in the Yacolt Burn State Forest which encompasses 90,000 acres of forest in Southwest Washington. During the winter and spring, this area isn't advised for vehicle traffic as it is covered in snow. Late spring, summer and fall are the best times to enjoy this area. A...
Learn more about Larch Mountain L-1500

Beware of logging trucks and some major potholes in the beginning. This is an active logging road, so pay attention to the C.B. channel and look for wide spots to pass oncoming traffic. After the first two or so miles, it gets better--just be on the lookout for wildlife. If you are one to just enjoy...
Learn more about Lousignot Road

This is a fun trail leading into the Gifford National Forest area. It has minor ruts and washouts that I assume fill with mud in the rainy season. The trail leads you through some dense forest areas. Being a dense forest area, this trail has few spectacular mountain views. You might encounter some d...
Learn more about S-1000 Loop

This is an easy trail that is mainly dirt with gravel. The trail has a few washouts and ruts. The trail is an out-and-back that offers some gorgeous views of Lake Merwin. There are a few areas that have overgrowth on the trail but nothing that will cause pin striping. You might encounter a few downe...
Learn more about PH-3000

The Powder Horn Spur is an easy, out-and-back gravel road branching off the main Powder Horn route. Suitable for most vehicles, the road features minimal elevation change and generally maintains a single-lane width, with several widened pull-outs available for parking or passing. As you drive, the ...
Learn more about Powder Horn Spur Road

This forest road connects Apiary Road with Pittsburg Road and is relatively level. It is, however, a typical logging road with potholes, washboard, and the occasional windfall tree in the way. This route begins on Apiary Road adjacent to the Columbia County Park Camp Wilkerson. There's nothing extra...
Learn more about Karth Road

This is an easy trail that is mainly dirt with gravel. The trail has a few washouts and ruts but nothing that is overly challenging. There is one area of the trail where low-clearance vehicles might scrape their underbody. The trail leads to Fredrickson Road which can be used as a connecting point f...
Learn more about PH-4000

This is an easy trail that is mainly dirt with gravel. The trail has a few washouts and ruts. The trail is an out-and-back that offers some gorgeous views of Lake Merwin. There are a few areas that have overgrowth on the trail but nothing that will cause pin striping. You might encounter a few downe...
Learn more about PH-3000

The Powder Horn Spur is an easy, out-and-back gravel road branching off the main Powder Horn route. Suitable for most vehicles, the road features minimal elevation change and generally maintains a single-lane width, with several widened pull-outs available for parking or passing. As you drive, the ...
Learn more about Powder Horn Spur Road

This forest road connects Apiary Road with Pittsburg Road and is relatively level. It is, however, a typical logging road with potholes, washboard, and the occasional windfall tree in the way. This route begins on Apiary Road adjacent to the Columbia County Park Camp Wilkerson. There's nothing extra...
Learn more about Karth Road

This is an easy trail that is mainly dirt with gravel. The trail has a few washouts and ruts but nothing that is overly challenging. There is one area of the trail where low-clearance vehicles might scrape their underbody. The trail leads to Fredrickson Road which can be used as a connecting point f...
Learn more about PH-4000