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hatever your out-of-doors inclination - whether you're into hiking, swimming, bicycling, running, walking, bird-watching, camping, fishing or kayaking (did we leave anything out?) - western Washington County's trails, streams, lakes, forests, parks and wetlands offer a full range of recreational choices and venues. From the Banks-Vernonia State Trail to the shimmering waters of Henry Hagg Lake, it's all here for those who enjoy the great outdoors … so get out there and breathe the fresh air! Banks-Vernonia State Trail

The southern trailhead of the Banks-Vernonia State Trail opened to the public in October 2010, completing a 21-mile connection between the two rural communities. The $1.4 million project includes a trailhead, parking for 27 vehicles and the final 1.5 miles of trail, suitable for biking and hiking.

For 30 years, from the 1920s to the 1950s, logs were transported to the Oregon-American Mill in Vernonia from as far south as Banks. That former right-of-way is now the Banks-Vernonia State Trail, the first of Oregon's rails-to-trails parks. The area's bike, hiking, jogging and equestrian trails are accessible from several trailheads, including Manning, Buxton (where it connects with Stub Stewart State Park), Tophill and Beavercreek.

The full trail crosses 12 bridges, including spans over Dairy Creek, Beaver Creek and the Nehalem River. For details, visit www.oregonstateparks.org.

Planning a getaway in your RV? A family picnic? A long Saturday cycling trip? Head on over to L.L. “Stub” Stewart State Park, located on Highway 47 about four miles north of Highway 26. It's Oregon's newest state park jewel, with 1,654 acres for roaming and rambling. Opened in 2007, the park welcomes campers, hikers, horseback riders and cyclists to its forested hills, creeks and canyons that have been restored as a native fish habitat. The park has cabins available to rent, as well as picnic areas, shelters and observation towers. Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-452-5687 or online at www.oregonstateparks.org.

Free information and interactive exhibits covering the past, present and future of the Tillamook State Forest are available at the Tillamook Forest Center, located 50 miles west of Portland and 22 miles east of Tillamook on Highway 6.

Take a day-long excursion to this unique, forest-based learning center to forge a deeper connection with Oregon's forests through experience and exploration. Admission to the center is free, and information about hours and days of operation are available online at www.tillamookforestcenter.org or call 866-930-4646.

Learning comes naturally at Fernhill Wetlands. With its 600 acres of quiet habitat for migratory birds and waterfowl, visitors can hike the area's trails and pause at information kiosks and viewing stations to learn more about the hundreds of species that make this special place their home. Sightings of shorebirds, songbirds and waterfowl are common in the area's marshes, ponds, lakes and woods. A pair of nesting bald eagles calls the wetlands home. In 2007, their 11-by-7-foot nest was placed on permanent display in the Jackson Bottom Wetlands Education Center in Hillsboro. Both local wetlands are located at the apex of the Willamette and

Some call it the “diamond of the Cascades foothills,” but Hagg Lake - named for prominent Washington County dairyman Henry Hagg - is a jewel to thousands of outdoor enthusiasts who come to its shores each year for recreation purposes.

Its practical applications include flood control and irrigation for a large area of northwest Oregon, but the 1,113-acre lake and surrounding Scoggins Valley Park are popular with hikers, bikers, birders and boaters. Facilities include trails, picnic sites, boat launches, docks and ramps and are open from sunrise to sunset seven days a week fromMarch 1 to Nov. 23. It's also become known as an attractive venue for regional and national triathlon and duathlon competitions in recent years.

The lake itself is stocked with rainbow trout, some reaching seven pounds - a tempting treat for area anglers. Visitors can expect to pay nominal fees for day use, season passes and group picnic reservations. Call 503-846-8715 or 503-359-5732 for information and reservations.

The rolling back-roads of western Washington County are perfect for an afternoon bike ride that includes a stop or two at the many wineries and restaurants clustered along Oregon's historic Highway 47. Explore quintessential Oregon, sampling world-class pinots and other eclectic varietals in friendly tasting rooms and restaurants and strolling through the bucolic vineyards with their breathtaking views. Your guide to “the road less traveled” is just a click away, at www.sip47.com.