If you’re a rain-or-shine, year-round walker or runner who’s always looking for interesting trails during the wet months of winter and early spring, look no further. No matter where you live in Clark County, chances are you’ll find nearby running trails that will enliven your runs with natural beauty, variety, and – in downtown Vancouver and Washougal — even places to stop for coffee or a meal. Why stick to ho-hum runs around your neighborhood when our gorgeous and diverse county awaits your exploration? Check out these winter trails in Clark County for running or walking!
Vancouver Lake Park
6801 NW Lower River Road, Vancouver
Views of Mount Hood, Mount Adams, and Mount St. Helens, lush forest, wildlife, and access to the Columbia River are just a few of the benefits of running at Vancouver Lake Park. A 2.5-mile round trip paved trail connects Vancouver Lake Park with Fenchman’s Bar Park. And the Vancouver Lake North Trail, accessed just north of the large group picnic areas, adds an additional 2.8 miles round trip to an enjoyable all-season run.
Columbia River Renaissance Trail
1801 SE Columbia River Drive, Vancouver
Pick up the Columbia River Renaissance Trail at Vancouver Waterfront Park or Marine Park in downtown Vancouver, or at Wintler Community Park to the east. The five-mile paved trail has it all: stunning views of Mount Hood, the Columbia River, and the I-5 and I-205 bridges, as well as easy access to restaurants, breweries and tasting rooms along the Vancouver waterfront.
Padden Parkway Trail
NE 78th Street to NE Ward Road, Vancouver
If the fact that the Padden Parkway Trail is right beside Padden Parkway, a major thoroughfare, isn’t a deal breaker for you, you might try this 10-mile round trip paved path. It’s smooth, virtually flat, and has a separate bridge at the I-205 and NE Padden Parkway interchange to ensure safe crossings. It’s the perfect winter trail for walking or running in Clark County.
Salmon Creek Greenway Trail
Salmon Creek Park
1112 NE 117th Street, Vancouver
You’ll find abundant natural beauty on the Salmon Creek Greenway Trail, with trees, ponds, a creek, wetlands, and wildlife. This well-maintained, paved trail is three miles long, mostly flat, and follows Salmon Creek to the Felida Bridge at NW 36th Avenue. A parking lot and restrooms are located at the eastern trailhead, along with access to Salmon Creek Park and Klineline Pond. There’s on-street parking at the western trailhead.
Discovery Historic Loop
1501 E Evergreen Boulevard, Vancouver
This winter trail in Clark County allows to you walk or run while soaking up some of Vancouver’s intriguing history. The two-mile Discovery Historic Loop winds through Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, with its plentiful interpretive signs, and past Fort Vancouver and Pearson Air Museum. If a two-mile run has just got you warmed up, the trail conveniently links to the Columbia River Renaissance Trail, so you can go, go, go.
I-205 Multi-Use Path
SE 23rd Street, south of Route 14, Vancouver
Here’s your chance to say you’ve run from one state to another. The I-205 Multi-Use Path goes from the north edge of the Columbia River to Gladstone, Oregon, spanning 18.5 miles and crossing the Columbia River. It’s a key commuting path to and from Portland, and joins with the Springwater Corridor, which follows the Willamette River from downtown Portland to the town of Boring.
Lewisville Park Trail
26411 NE Lewisville Highway, Battle Ground
Check out the Lewisville Park Trail, a three-mile trail system that loops around the 154-acre park and takes you past the East Fork of the Lewis River and through forests and meadows. You’ll get your workout in a beautiful spot, while simultaneously exploring Clark County’s oldest regional park, dating back to the 1930s.
Lacamas Heritage Trail
NW Lake Road at SR 500, Camas
Natural beauty abounds at Lacamas Heritage Trail, a seven-mile round trip gravel trail that stretches along Lacamas Lake and Lacamas Creek. You’ll find trailheads on both NW Lake Road and NE Goodwin Road.
Captain William Clark Park at Cottonwood Beach
South Index Street at South 32nd Street, Washougal
Start this four- mile trail at Captain William Clark Park at Cottonwood Beach, the site of one of the Lewis and Clark expedition’s camping spots in 1806. The dirt and gravel path follows a dike that parallels the Columbia River, with views of Mount Hood if you’re there on a clear day. Another highlight is the pedestrian tunnel near Steamboat Landing Park that dips under SR-14. The well-lit tunnel connects the trail to Washougal’s downtown core.
Lucia Falls and Moulton Falls Trails
27781 Lucia Falls Road, Yacolt
Older-growth forest, waterfalls, volcanic rock formations, and an awesome arch bridge that’s more than three stories high are a few of the highlights of this 2.5-mile, multi-use trail. It follows the East Fork of the Lewis River and links Lucia Falls and Moulton Falls Parks.
