North Bonneville: Trails, River, and History

North Bonneville offers several distinct themes to consider when planning a trip: trails through town, water activities, scenery, and history. The routes and places differ both in their stated lengths and in the themes they explore along the way or nearby.

Scenery and Water Activities

Greenleaf Lake and Bass Lake are within North Bonneville’s city limits. Views of the Columbia River and Bonneville Dam are available nearby; weather and conditions may affect visibility. The lakes therefore serve as natural landmarks within town, alongside the nearby viewpoints.

A public boat launch provides access to the Columbia River for fishing, sailing, windsurfing, and kiteboarding. Options range from fishing to various forms of water sports. Conditions of use and regulations for the boat launch may change; check them before using it.

Trails and Routes in Town

The North Bonneville Heritage Trails comprise more than 12 miles of paths that circle the town and run through it. The downtown station area is the center of the trail system; most trails start and end there. The Pacific Crest Trail also passes through the eastern side of North Bonneville. This distinguishes the extensive trail system from the specifically described route through the eastern part of town.

For a direct comparison of distances, consider the Hamilton Creek Trail and the Columbia Trail: the Hamilton Creek Trail is a 1.25-mile loop through the western neighborhood, while the Columbia Trail is about 2.5 miles long and heads east through the Fort Cascades Historic Site. The second route is approximately twice as long as the first, although the routes also differ in form and course. Conditions on both trails may change.

The Greenleaf Trail runs along Greenleaf Lake and highlights Pioneer Cemetery and the history of Native Americans in the area. The route described for the Hamilton Creek Trail includes a viewpoint above the mouth of Hamilton Creek. From there, you can see Pierce and Ives Islands as well as Beacon Rock. Views and trail conditions may change seasonally.

Visitor Attractions and Regional History

Nearby, the Washington Shore Visitor Complex offers interactive exhibits, power plant tours, and fish viewing. A self-guided tour there explains power generation in the Pacific Northwest, fish migration, and geology. If you plan to take a power plant tour, check the current visitor offerings in advance. The tour’s topics connect technology with nature and the landscape, complementing the trails’ various themes.

The founding of Beacon Rock Golf Course is also tied to a specific year: in 1971, local residents founded the course and contributed their time, labor, materials, and equipment on a volunteer basis. North Bonneville’s disc golf course is maintained by city employees for public use. These two facts relate to different aspects of recreational history: the community founding of the golf course and the ongoing maintenance of the disc golf course for public use.

Discover more destinations: Stevenson

For the main travel overview: Skamania.