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Plentiful parking is available in Frenchman's Bar Park (9612 NW Lower River Road) and Vancouver Lake Park (6801 NW Lower River Road).
You take the trail all the way into the forest by the lake. Then take asphalt for 1/2 mile and back into the woods. The view changes into open air and fields on the way to Frenchmen’s Bar. This trail has it all with asphalt, gravel and in-between. Liked it so much, I did it twice. On my e-bike, it was a blast. I will be back often.
The parks each have the smoothest asphalt I’ve experienced so far. Vancouver lake has some roots pushing the asphalt up, but it’s fun as an irregular pump track. The trail connecting is less smooth and without shade. The whole thing is pretty flat, with the best hills dead ending at the beaches.
The first portion of it, starting near Vancouver Lake, is pretty, although there is very little shade. However, once it gets to the end of the Isthmus, at Blurock Landing, it parallels the road. It's really no more than a more protected bike lane that is right beside 501. I walked for a while and then turned around, very disappointed. I'm surprised at the high ratings folks gave it. 5 stars, really? Also cell phone coverage is spotty (at least for my phone) so be aware. For bikers or skaters it may be fine, but NOT recommended for walkers unless you find walking beside a sometimes busy two lane road as your idea of being out in nature.
I love being able to start at one body of water and move to another. The asphalt is flat, smooth, and ideal for skateboarding or inline skating. I’ll be back over and over again. Not too many people on the gorgeous day that I was out here.
I rode this trail for the first time last evening. I was surprised by the popularity of Frenchman's Bar Trail - not for the trail but the beaches, which makes parking crowded. There were just a few riders on the trail. There is parking at Vancouver Lake Park, near the middle of the trail, which appears to used manly for the beach, and at the northern termination again used for the beach. I found one small parking spot just before entering the park that had only one car. The trail is completely flat which makes it great for hiking and biking. The middle section goes along a slough and the rest through fields.
The best place to park is Vancouver Lake Park; it's free and situated at one end of the skatable portion of the trail. Don't bother with the trail north of Vancouver Lake Park, it's rough asphalt for a short stretch and then turns into gravel.
The trail to Frenchman's Bar Park is wide and smooth, great for skating. It gets rough on the segment along Frenchman's Bar, but the scenery makes it worth it. There are water fountains at Frenchman's Bar Park.
I jog this asphalt trail three times a week. The level terrain is easier on my 64-year-old knees. If needed, there are restrooms at each end of the trail as marked on the map. With some creativity and including a bit of road (with wide and well-marked shoulders) jogging you can do your half-marathons. During your time on the trail you will see Vancouver Lake, Columbia River, Mount St Helens, Mount Hood, Mount Adams, Mount Rainer (weather permitting)along with birds of prey and waterfowl.
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