Pets allowed
Allowed
Elevation Gain
590.00 ft (179.83 m)
Trail type
Loop
Distance
2.40 mi (3.86 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

While visiting Fort Columbia State Park, don't miss the opportunity reacquaint yourself with the trail by trekking onto one of several hikes that lead up Scarborough Hill.

After departing from the highly manicured landscape of Fort Columbia, visitors will quickly immerse themselves into an old-growth forest dominated by Sitka spruce, western hemlock and a continuous sea of sword fern.  In total, the park boasts just over 4 miles of hiking trails, but the summit of Scarborough Hill can be reached with just a mile's walk via the Military Road Trail.  Along the way you'll find pocket clearings where thick undergrowth gives way to views over the Columbia River and west toward Cape Disappointment.  Unfortunately, the 590-foot climb to the top isn't rewarded by panoramic vistas, simply more dense coastal forest.  Make your way down the singletrack Scarborough Trail, however, where numerous World War II bunkers wait to be explored.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

Washington Discovery Pass

Pros

Old-growth coastal forest. World War II bunkers.

Cons

No vistas from the top of the hill. Trail is often overgrown.

Trailhead Elevation

190.00 ft (57.91 m)

Features

Historically significant
Big vistas
Old-growth forest
Wildflowers

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

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