Sams Walker Loop in Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, OR · WA

Sams Walker Loop

A gentle gravel circuit reaches river views through varied woods.

Photo: Public domain (U.S. federal work)
Length
1.1mi
Time
36min
Elev. change
66ft
Difficulty
Easy
  • Loop
  • Dogs allowed
  • High point 95 ft

Hear the audio tour

Sams Walker Day Use Area

Overview

About Sams Walker Loop

Why go

  • Flat gravel route through restored fields, oak and cedar groves
  • River overlooks and picnic benches on a short circuit

Map & elevation

The route

Loading the Columbia River Gorge map
Full map
Elevation30–95 ft
TrailheadSams Walker Day Use Area45.61170, -122.05190
Keep this map with you offline in the Parkwolf app

Plan your hike

Before you go

Parking

Turn from SR 14 at milepost 32.8 onto Skamania Landing Road; after crossing the railroad tracks, turn right into Sams Walker Day Use Area. A day-use fee or valid recreation pass is required. The lot has a restroom but no potable water.

Safety

No potable water is available at the day-use area.

8 active Columbia River Gorge alerts

  • ClosureEagle Creek Fire area closureDo not enter Oneonta Gorge or the specified trail sections because hazards remain following the Eagle Creek Fire.Official details
  • CautionAircraft and drone restrictions at developed recreation sitesAircraft and drone landings, drop-offs, and pickups are prohibited at six high-use developed recreation sites to protect visitor safety.Official details
See all 8 alerts
A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone
Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

Columbia River Gorge Tour Guide

Your drive to Sams Walker Loop, narrated.

Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.

Recorded for this trailhead

Sams Walker Day Use Area
0:00 / 0:30
“Up ahead is Sams Walker Day Use Area, where a flat gravel loop takes you from former farm fields into white oak and cedar woods, then out to the river.”

Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Columbia River Gorge Tour Guide.

More stories near here in the app

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  • 217 audio storiesacross Columbia River Gorge’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
  • Wildlife heatmapsfor Bald Eagle, Black Bear, American Pika, and 13 more
  • Works offlinemaps, 111 trails, 78 places, and audio download before you lose signal
  • CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
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4.7 from 8,600+ ratings

Trail guide

Hiking Sams Walker Loop

A quiet Gorge loopSams Walker Loop is a flat, 1.

Sams Walker Loop is a flat, 1.1-mile loop from the day-use lot, with a short access stretch walked twice to complete the circuit. The gravel path passes restored former fields, oak woodland and cedar forest before reaching river overlooks with picnic benches. It’s an easy half-hour outing for a quiet walk and a useful change of habitat.

Follow the outside circuitAt the first fork, take the right-hand path through the fields, then head south toward the…

At the first fork, take the right-hand path through the fields, then head south toward the mossy bench and picnic table near the Columbia before looping back. Small side loops meet the main route; stay on the larger circuit for the 1.1-mile walk, then return along the same short access path. The footing is gravel and the route stays mostly level, with about 50 feet of climbing. Allow 30–45 minutes, longer if you stop to read the interpretive signs or watch birds. From the river overlooks, frame a little of the trail or trees along with the view toward Oregon. This is a relaxed stroll rather than a workout.

AccessTurn off SR 14 at milepost 32.

Turn off SR 14 at milepost 32.8 onto Skamania Landing Road; after crossing railroad tracks, turn right into Sams Walker Day Use Area. The lot has a restroom, but there’s no potable water. A day-use fee or valid recreation pass is required. Dogs are allowed on leash. A seasonal shuttle serves the trailhead on some peak-bloom weekends; check current service dates before relying on it.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Columbia River Gorge

All Columbia River Gorge wildlife maps

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Columbia River Gorge. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.

Keep exploring

Near Sams Walker Loop

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Trails that start nearby

Places near the trailhead

Parkwolf’s Columbia River Gorge ranking

Top-rated trails in Columbia River Gorge

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