Banks, Oregon – Gateway to the Salmonberry Trail
Our first stop on our 82 miles of connection.
Nestled in the northern Tualatin Valley, Banks, Oregon, marks the eastern gateway to the 82-mile Salmonberry Trail—where the forests of the Coast Range meet fertile farmland and the region’s trail network converges.
A Town Built on Connection
Banks was officially incorporated in 1921, but its roots stretch back to the 1840s, when pioneers Peyton and Anna Wilkes claimed land here. The town’s name honors John and Nancy Banks, who operated a dairy farm nearby. When the Pacific Railway & Navigation Company planned a line through their property in the early 1900s, the nearby settlement of Greenville moved closer to the tracks—and the new town of Banks was born.
The railroad linked the Coast Range to Portland, bringing growth, commerce, and a new identity to this small agricultural community. Though the Banks depot closed in 1933, the legacy of connection remains: what was once a lifeline for timber and freight is now transforming into Oregon’s next great trail.
A Hub of Trails
Today, Banks is where three regional trails meet:
The Salmonberry Trail extends west toward Tillamook and the Coast.
The Banks–Vernonia State Trail, a 21-mile paved route through forest and farmland to Vernonia.
The planned Council Creek Regional Trail connects Banks east to Forest Grove, Cornelius, and Hillsboro.
Stub Stewart State Park—with over 25 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian paths—lies just up the hill, soon to be linked directly to the Salmonberry corridor. Together, these routes make Banks a trail crossroads for northwest Oregon.
Community and Character
From its early days as a railroad and farming community, Banks has retained its rural character while embracing new opportunities. It’s home to family farms, local schools, and community traditions like the Banks BBQ and Tractor Pull, which began in the 1920s. The town’s economy still reflects its agricultural roots, while its location makes it a natural launching point for cyclists, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts exploring the growing trail network.
An Important Ally
As a partner in the Salmonberry Trail effort, the City of Banks has been essential from the start—hosting trailheads, maintaining access points, and helping envision how the trail can bring recreation, education, and economic opportunity to the entire region.
Standing at the intersection of past and future, Banks is where Oregon’s next big adventure begins.