Oak Island Nature Trail trailhead — Attraction in Scappoose

We thought this was a great way to escape the city, very serene easy trail. Beautiful views all around, very quiet. Like other said, there are free roaming cows so lots of patties to walk around, but who cares. Only complaint is the “permit” system. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife maintains it, but you don’t know this until you are on the trail and see a couple signs. At the parking area there is no indication of who maintains it, just a sign saying permit required. No instructions on who or where to get the permit from. Quickly checked the Fish and Wildlife website from the parking area and can’t find anything. We hiked anyways with a permit, but it’s ashamed it’s not better organized or posted how to get one, we would have easily paid because those fees go to maintaining the trail and the Department services statewide. Even a QR code at the trail head where you can pay online and put your license plate in would be great. Cell reception is fine out...

The small print: you need an ODFW permit to park there. Lots of mosquitoes in July, particularly on the east and SE part of the loop. Wear long pants as a lot of the walk is through light grass. The water is not as close as it appears; the only easy access to the water is at the SE end of the loop. Not much shade. It's a peninsula rather than an island. Cattle roam freely on the trail, mostly at...

Can't purchase a parking permit at the trailhead so had to turn around once I got there. Also can't purchase the online version of the permit from the trail since it requires a printed copy be displayed in...