Apiary Spring, Rainier, Oregon

## Overview Apiary Spring is a public drinking spring located in the rural hills near Rainier, Oregon, in Columbia County. Situated off Apiary Road in the vicinity of Camp Wilkerson — a popular Columbia County park and campground — this spring offers a quiet, off-the-beaten-path stop for those exploring the forested back roads between Rainier and Vernonia. The spring is accessible year-round, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The area surrounding the spring is characteristic of the western Oregon Coast Range foothills: lush, densely forested terrain with a mix of Douglas fir and alder. Camp Wilkerson itself is a well-known local destination for camping, hiking, and horseback riding, making Apiary Spring a convenient waypoint for outdoor enthusiasts in the area. Visitors have historically used the spring as a drinking water source, though water quality can vary with seasonal conditions. ## Directions 1. From Rainier, Oregon, head south on US-30 and turn onto Apiary Road (also referred to as Apiary-Market Road). 2. Follow Apiary Road into the hills. Camp Wilkerson is located at **65866 Apiary-Market Road, Rainier, OR** and serves as a useful landmark. 3. The spring is found off Apiary Road in the general vicinity of Camp Wilkerson. Look for a gravel road or pulloff on the side of the road — the spring is set back from the main road. 4. GPS coordinates: **45.938972, -123.046967** (note: the listed nearest address is 63658 Schaffer Road, Saint Helens, OR 97051, which may help with navigation on mapping apps). *Tip: Cell service can be spotty in this area, so it's a good idea to download offline maps or note the GPS coordinates before heading out.* ## What to Expect Apiary Spring is a roadside-accessible spring reached via a short gravel road that leads off Apiary Road. The spring is set back from the main road, offering a relatively peaceful setting surrounded by the dense forests typical of Columbia County's rural landscape. As a public drinking spring, it has been used by locals and visitors as a water source, though as with any natural spring, water conditions may change seasonally. The spring is open around the clock with no posted restrictions. The proximity to Camp Wilkerson makes this a natural stop if you're already in the area for camping, hiking, or riding. The roads in this part of Columbia County are mostly paved but can be winding and narrow, so drive carefully — especially in wet weather when gravel shoulders may be soft.