Sams Walker Nature Trail

Sams Walker is a quiet little nature trail along the Columbia River in the western Gorge, just east of Beacon Rock. The route follows a graveled path through abandoned farm fields that are slowly returning to native habitat, then heads south toward the river where you get views across the Columbia into Oregon. A moss-covered bench and picnic table mark the turnaround point.

The trail works as an arboretum of sorts. Interpretive opportunities are everywhere: mixed native plantings, riparian habitat, and the restored fields themselves tell a story about land recovery. Vancouver Audubon runs a first-of-the-month bird walk here, and for good reason. The mix of open field, forest edge, and river corridor draws a wide variety of species. Bring binoculars.

At just over a mile round trip on gravel, this is one of the most accessible trails in the Gorge. Wheelchair users can navigate the full route. It makes a perfect leg-stretcher if you are driving Highway 14, or a focused birding destination if you know what you are looking for. Northwest Forest Pass is required at the small parking area off Skamania Landing Road.