Vernonia Area Chamber of Commerce

Recreation

vernoniachamber

Vernonia may be a small town, but we have a lot to offer. We invite you to bring your family and friends for a good time in our little historic town. If you have questions, contact us.

Banks-Vernonia State Trail

Take a quiet walk along this old, abandoned, 21-mile railroad path. Listen to the birds, the whispering wind, birds and bubbling streams. There are many entrances to this trail. Enter the trail to walk, bicycle, ride your horse or push a baby buggy.

Amenities: The trail is open to all non-motorized users … horse, bicycle, and walkers/hikers. There is no fee to use this trail. The trail is paved from Anderson Park entrance to the county line.

Cedar Ridge

For general information, please call 503-429-2801, or visit their website (link above).

Nehalem River

The Nehalem River flows southwest through Vernonia, emptying into the Pacific Ocean near the towns of Wheeler and Nehalem. The Nehalem River is joined in Vernonia by its largest tributary. The Nehalem is accessible from many places, mostly bridges.  Anderson Park is the most suitable for drift boats, which is located at river mile 91.  Also at Airport Park there are some good putins (river mile 94) and the first bridge on Timber road (river mile 98). The drift from Airport Park is most suitable for drift boats, but watch the water level because anything reading lower than six inches on the water level gage would cause a bumpy and dangerous ride. This river is mainly deemed Class I, but you should have good maneuvering skills due to wood hazards and crooked passages. The Nehalem is good for catching Trout in early summer and in the fall Chinook, Coho, and Steelhead.

Rock Creek

Rock Creek reaches another 26 miles above Vernonia and runs adjacent to the Sunset rest area on Highway 26.

Most of the land surrounding Rock Creek is private. Kayakers, canoeists, and drift boaters can gain legal access at bridges or public boat launches. For more information, visit www.americanwhitewater.org to find detailed stream and water conditions.

Rock Creek provide excellent Cutthroat Trout fishing in late May through early summer. In the fall, watch Summer Chinook, followed by Coho and Steelhead, as they journey upstream through town to complete their life cycle by spawning in the local river beds. Please check a current synopsis for regulations, as most fisheries in the Nehalem Valley are catch and release.

Vernonia Golf Course

15961 Timber Road East
Vernonia, OR 97064
503-429-6811

Since 1928. Situated along the Nehalem River. Amenities: 18 Hole Course, Tournaments, Rentals, Week Day Rates, Senior Rates, Banquets & daily grill.

Vernonia Lake

Vernonia Lake was once the mill pond of the Oregon-American Lumber Company. The lake is home to Bass, Crappie, Perch and Bluegill, and is stocked each year with Rainbow Trout. The lake is stocked all spring.

Amenities: A primitive camping area has fire pits, restrooms, and drinking water. The user-friendly lake has a boat ramp (gas powered motors are not allowed), ADA wheelchair accessible fishing docks and restrooms, and a children’s playground area.

Space is available on a first-come basis. For more information, call 503-429-5291.

Vernonia Pioneer Museum

503-429-3713
511 East Bridge Street
Vernonia, OR 97064

The museum includes artifacts from the throughout the county. You will see a variety of rocks and other items from the local Native American tribes. In addition to that, we have logging information, pictures and tools, as well as items depicting the life of early settlers in the Nehalem Valley region. Admission is free and it is a wonderful place for families to visit. Vernonia Museum is an ADA accessible building. We welcome groups, but appointments are encouraged.

June – September Hours:
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 1 pm to 4 pm
October – May Hours:
Saturday and Sunday, 1 pm to 4 pm

For more information, please call 503-429-3713 or vpma@agalis.net

Vernonia Scout Cabin

901 Park Drive
Vernonia, OR 97064

When a monumental flood visited Oregon in 1996, Vernonia was one of the communities hardest hit. Floodwaters drowned the center of the town; the town’s high school and city hall were under several feet of water and 60 percent of its library collection was destroyed.

Rather than dampen its spirit, the flood actually caused Vernonia’s citizens to take stock of community needs and unite in response. Recognizing that the small town needed a center for youth activities and other community events, residents banded together to save an old cabin in the heart of town that was slated for demolition.

By the time Friends of the Scout Cabin applied for a small grant, members had raised $100,000 and solicited donations of services, materials, and countless hours of volunteer labor. The Friends used $8,300 from the Trust to landscape the grounds and furnish the cabin. The Cabin, acquired by Friends for $7,500, is now worth more than $400,000 and hosts dozens of youth groups, history classes, community gatherings and celebrations, weddings, business meetings, family and class reunions, and many other events.

Amenities: Large meeting room, fully equipped kitchen facilities, and adjacent to Hawkins Park, and Dewey Swimming Area. For more information or booking, please call 503-429-9002

Dewey Pool (Outdoor Swimming Pool Summer time only)

Located at Hawkins Park, for those that want to practice their paddle stroke or just swim, the Rock Creek is a great place to do both of those.  From the dam you can paddle approximately 1/4 of a mile.

Wildlife

Vernonia lake and surrounding area has bird watching.  Ospreys, herons, eagles, red-winged black birds, and much more.