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Print Friendly MapThe I-205 Multi-Use Path spans 18.5 miles through five cities and 15 neighborhoods along Interstate 205 and the TriMet MAX Green Line light rail service.
Although the trail parallels the busy I-205, most of the trail is separated a good distance and often protected by a wire fence, giving the trail a nice berth and separation from the roadway.
About the Route
Extending from the northern edge of the Columbia River in Vancouver, Washington, to Gladstone, Oregon, the trail and its amenities—including public art, topiary, wayfinding signage —attract thousands of cyclists and pedestrians each day. The state of Oregon first constructed the trail in the 1980s to improve biking and walking connections between neighborhoods, as well as between commercial and public destinations. The Oregon Department of Transportation reopened the entire route in 2011 after closing sections of it to implement a number of enhancements to make it more commuter friendly, such as the installation of new overhead lighting.
Bike routes and bike lanes connect several trail gaps. At I-205 and State Route 224/Milwaukee Expressway (also SE 82nd Drive), the trail transitions to bike lanes on SE 82nd Drive. Trail users can rejoin the main trail at SR 212/224. The path ends at the Gladstone interchange, which is just north of Oregon City and High Rocks State Park. The route continues along on-road sections to Oregon City via Agnes and Main Streets. Be aware that the tunnel does not have bike lanes.
The trail's northern endpoint is located at SE 23rd Street in Vancouver and runs south from there as it crosses the I-205 Bridge. It passes over Government Island, which—reachable only by boat—is known for its great blue heron colony and its state recreation area's primitive camping and beaches. The interior of the island is off-limits to the public.
Further south, the trail passes Marine Drive, the Sandy Boulevard trailhead, the Gateway Transit Center, and Powell Boulevard. Further south, the trail intersects with the Springwater Corridor and then SE Johnson Creek Boulevard, passing near Clackamas Town Center and Clackamas Promenade before ending in Gladstone.
Less than 2 miles farther south, the trail stops at SE 82nd Drive and the I-205 Gladstone interchange.
Connections
At the Portland International Airport, the trail connects to the Marine Drive Trail.
In Southeast Portland, the trail intersects with the Springwater Corridor.
The I-205 Multi-Use Trail runs between I-205 and Lewis and SE 23rd St. (Vancouver, WA) to SE 82nd Dr. (Clackamas) and SE Highway 212 and SE McKinley Avenue (Clackamas) to 82 Drive (Gladstone).
Parking is available at:
See TrailLink Map for all parking options and detailed directions.
We stayed at Columbia River RV and rode from the RV Park to the first section of Marine Drive Trail - I saw that the I-205 joins directly there so we took it south. I saw that it went over the two bridges of the Columbia river so we gave that a try. Wow. It is a bike path in the middle of the bridge with northbound traffic whizzing by on one side and southbound on the other. The noise!! LOL The path is barricaded by a concrete wall on both sides and then a metal guard rail on top of that. So honestly felt safe enough. We did the first mile over the first bridge and then turned around. It was an experience to say the least. (We are both 79) Then we continued south on the trail for about 6 miles. I like this kind of trail - kind of urban-lots to look at. Some industrial/one section of beautiful older houses. We didn't get to any homeless but in the distance I could see a big tent setup. We have ridden lots of trails with homeless and never been bothered but I know it does bother some people. Sometimes we stop to talk with them and all have a sad story. I would definitely ride this again if in the area-we are from AZ just roaming in our small RV with ebikes on the back staying out of the AZ heat.
This trail and it's construction is nothing short of amazing. Yet the pictures on the Rails to Trails website tell it all. It is not being used. Maybe it is because people are afraid of the homeless encampments that you see or because it is next to a freeway. But the homeless encampments would be much less of a problem if there were more people on bikes utilizing the trail. This trail I am sure cost millions yet just a few people use it. Get out there people!
I rode it last summer and it was an awful experience. Lots of trash.
Lots of garbage and campsites. Some sections are blocked with tents.
Neighborhood greenways are better.
great trail, but I keep getting lost southbound at hwy. 224. Some signs would be good. Even painted on the sidewalk. Anything! The trail just ends and -- bang-- you're face to face with highways going every which way.
Gladstone seems to be particularly unfriendly to bikes. Don't they understand that bike traffic brings money-spending traffic without congesting roads?
I skated about 3.5 miles of this trail from Marine Drive south and really enjoyed it. Although there were seams in the trail, it was still very smooth. The scenery is varied, including a couple transit centers, through a neighborhood, and along some tracks. There are a few grades.
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