Just 31 miles west of Portland, L. L. Stub Stewart State Park offers camping, picnicking, hiking and biking. If you like trails, this is the park for you. Explore more than 20 miles of trails. Bring your horse or bicycle and spend hours exploring the far reaches of the park. A quiet spot to yourself? Relaxing is easy in the 1,673 acres of lush rolling hills, forest and deep canyons. Here's some of our photos from a recent trip for my birthday!
Dogs. Yes. On leash, but...one of the largest off leash areas of any state park with views of the coast range that are simply uneatable.
Camping. Quadruple yes.
• Car camping (better in loop "Dairy Creek Camp West").
• Hike in camping sites are amazingly secluded and away from the car campers. The hike is a graded road and there are carts you can borrow to help you transport your things. A group fire ring is used for all hike in campers.
• RV camping with horses? Hares Canyon Horse Camp is your destination there.
• Camp in a cabin? Yes. The Mountain Dale Cabin Village sits on the hilltop with some amazing views.
Bikes. Oh boy, yes. Bikes are everywhere in the park, and that's because Stubb Stewart sits at the 10 mile mark of one of the most scenic bike trails in the area; the Banks-Vernonia State Trail. This, I'm convinced, is a huge reason people like this park. A never-too-hard ten mile ride and you're in the quaint town of Vernonia, grabbing a pastry or microbrew before your head back. Easily done in a day by most.
Hikes. Indeed. The Hilltop Day-use Area with its views of the Coast Range is perfect for a family gathering. Two trailheads, one at the north end and the other to the south, are gateways to hours of exploring. Get a trail guide here.
Golf. Not really, but Yes! An 18-hole disc golf course is open east of the Hilltop Day-use Area, near the Hooktender Horseshoe Trail. Bring your own discs and score cards. Campers also can play a 3-hole course near the campground amphitheater.
Wildflowers. Where we were there in late June, there were 3 colors of foxglove and at least 3 colors of lupine everywhere.
Did you know the phrase "Happy Camper" originated in Oregon? Well, that's what we've heard...I guess that's why it's one of our favorites!