Willapa Hills State Park Trail

Willapa Hills State Park Trail: Washington’s Premier Cross-County Rail-to-Trail Adventure

Willapa Hills State Park Trail delivers Washington’s most ambitious rail-to-trail conversion, stretching 56 miles from Chehalis in Lewis County to South Bend in Pacific County through diverse landscapes of forests, farmland, and historic logging communities. Built on a decommissioned 1892 Northern Pacific Railway line, this intercounty trail offers year-round access for hiking, cycling, horseback riding, and skating while connecting visitors to the rich cultural heritage of southwest Washington’s timber and railroad history.

Willapa Hills State Park Trail Fast Facts

Park Overview

Willapa Hills State Park Trail traverses the rolling Willapa Hills, a geologically unique region formed from basalt lava scraped from the ocean floor and Columbia River basalt flows. The trail follows the historic Northern Pacific Railway’s South Bend Branch, which operated from 1892 to 1990, serving 29 communities at its peak and featuring luxury parlor car service by 1907. The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission acquired the entire 757-acre corridor in 1993 through the federal railbanking process, preserving this transportation heritage for recreational use.

The trail connects diverse landscapes from the treeless prairies near Chehalis that attracted early Donation Land Claim settlers to the dense forests that supported dozens of logging operations and sawmills. Communities along the route reflect the cosmopolitan character of early 20th-century lumber camps, where Greek, Polish, German, Japanese, and Swiss immigrants created ethnically diverse boom-and-bust towns that flourished until the timber was harvested and mills closed in the 1930s.

Activities & Recreation

Facilities & Amenities

Willapa Hills State Park Trail provides multiple trailhead access points across its 56-mile length, with major trailheads located at Chehalis, Adna, Rainbow Falls State Park, Pe Ell, Lebam, Menlo, Raymond, and South Bend. The trail features 18 historic bridges in Lewis County, including the spectacular Northern Pacific Railway Newaukum River Bridge near the Chehalis trailhead, plus multiple crossings of the Chehalis and Willapa rivers.

Notable infrastructure includes the recently completed Littell Bridge, a $3.3 million pedestrian overpass constructed in 2021-2023 to safely carry trail users over State Route 6. The trail incorporates the Raymond Wildlife-Heritage Sculpture Corridor, featuring steel sculptures installed in 1993 as part of Raymond’s urban renewal initiative, and provides access to the Willie Keil’s Grave State Park Heritage Site north of Menlo.

Camping & Accommodations

Willapa Hills State Park Trail operates as a day-use facility without camping accommodations. However, the trail connects to Rainbow Falls State Park, which provides camping facilities, and passes near numerous small communities offering lodging and services. The trail’s proximity to State Route 6 ensures easy access to regional accommodations and amenities.

Planning Your Visit

A Discover Pass is required for trail access, with annual passes available for $45 and daily passes for $10. Trail conditions vary significantly by section, with the best-maintained portions being the paved segment from Chehalis through Adna and the compacted gravel section from mile 5 to mile 27 west of Pe Ell. Pacific County sections remain largely natural and unimproved, requiring caution for some travelers due to railroad ballast rock surfacing.

Current closures include a washout at mile 38.5 west of Lebam and unsafe conditions at Trestle 48 between miles 48-49 east of Heckard Road. Major improvements are planned through 2026 with $8.7 million in funding from various federal, state, and community sources to make the entire trail “rideable all the way through.” The Lewis County Community Trail Association hosts annual “Ride the Willapa” fundraising events each summer to support trail maintenance and completion.

What to Bring & Know

• Current trail condition information, as sections may be closed or require caution due to ongoing improvements
• Appropriate gear for varying surface conditions from asphalt to natural railroad ballast
• Awareness of the trail’s railroad heritage, including historical significance and potential hazards near bridges
• Interest in logging and railroad history, with interpretive opportunities throughout the route
• Respect for “Zack’s Law” bridge safety warnings implemented in 2023 regarding cold water shock dangers

Final Word

Willapa Hills State Park Trail preserves Washington’s railroad heritage while creating the state’s most ambitious intercounty recreational corridor, connecting diverse landscapes and communities through nearly six decades of timber industry and transportation history.