L.L. Stub Stewart State Park is a hiking and mountain biking retreat located only half an hour from Portland, Oregon. You’ll find 25 miles of multi-use trails that cut across the park’s scenic rolling hills, marshes, streams, and shaded pine forests. The trail network is also open to mountain biking and horseback riding.
The park is an excellent destination for RV campers interested in wildlife viewing. You’ll find dozens of birds visiting the park throughout the year, including surf scoters, hermit warblers, and Bewick’s wren. You’ll also be able to spot mammals such as Roosevelt elk, black-tailed deer, and bobcats. The park also has an 18-hole disc golf course located right next to the campgrounds.
The park has three main RV campgrounds that combined have over 80 sites to choose from for your campervan, trailer, or other type of rig. The campgrounds all feature full hookups at every site, as well as modern restrooms with hot showers. You’ll also be just minutes from the park’s network of hiking and biking trails, as well as the disc golf course and amphitheater.
Located just west of Portland, L.L. Stub Stewart State Park has an easy to reach campground, with wide roads and few tight turns. It’s also a short drive from most of Oregon’s major cities.
If you are coming from Portland, take US-26 west from the city and you’ll reach the park in around half an hour. Driving from Eugene, take I-5 north and you’ll arrive at the park in around two hours. From Seattle, take I-5 south and you’ll get to the park in just over three hours.
The park has three RV campgrounds, all of them a fairly quick drive from the entrance. The two largest RV campgrounds are easy to get to with large rigs. The equestrian campground is deeper in the park, but you should still be able to reach it if you have a large trailer. The park occasionally ices over during the winter, so be careful if you visit when the temperature drops.
The horse camp has 13 sites, all of which have full hookups. Four of the sites have stalls where you can house your horse. The sites all have picnic tables and fire pits, and are within walking distance of modern restrooms and hot showers. The horse camp is linked to the network of equestrian trails, so you can ride straight out of the campground.
This campground has 35 sites, all of which have full hookups. The sites all have picnic tables and a fire pit, and are pet-friendly. There are hot showers and modern restrooms in the campground. Multiple trails lead into the park, including Heartwood Trail and Barberchair Trail. The disc golf course and amphitheater are also right next to the campground.
The park has three main RV campgrounds, one of which is only for equestrian camping.
The sites at all of the campgrounds can be booked online up to nine months in advance. You’ll have to reserve your spot at least a day before you arrive. The park has a large number of sites, so usually a spot is open. However, you should consider booking early if visiting during peak season in the summer, as the park gets crowded.
Dairy Creek Camp West features 43 full hookup sites, all of which also have a picnic table and fire pit. There are flush toilets and hot showers available within the campground. The campground connects directly to three hiking trails, and is right next to the park’s disc golf course and amphitheater. It’s also just a short walk from Dairy Creek Camp East.
L.L. Stub Stewart State Park hosts a number of interpretive programs during the summer. You can also learn more about the history of the area at the discovery center, where the park has rotating exhibits.
If you want a more structured tour of the park, you can sign up for a ranger-guided hike. They will take you along one of the park’s nature trails and tell you all about the wildlife in the area. These tours are usually only available during the summer, but check with the park office during your visit for times.
The park has an 18-hole disc golf course that is open to RV campers staying at the park. The course, located near the trailhead at Hilltop, offers a variety of terrain, from open holes set on the park’s rolling hills, to holes that cut through the forest and streams. If you need discs, you can buy them at the Stub Stewart Welcome Center. The course is open year round, although occasionally closes due to weather.
Don't forget to pack your binoculars in your camping trailer. The 1,800 acres of the park are home to a rotating list of dozens of birds throughout the year, making the park one of the best places in the region for birdwatching. You’ll find surf scooter, great horned owl, and even the bald eagle.
The birdwatching is excellent throughout the year, with the species varying greatly by season. You can catch waterfowl migrating in spring, when they stop in the park as they journey south. The park office has more information on the bird you should look for, and can provide you with a bird checklist.
The park has an extensive network of trails that can be used for horseback riding. These trails take you through the fields of wildflowers and across the park’s many streams, making for long, scenic rides.
You can also access the Banks-Vernonia State Trail, a 21-mile long trail that leads you through woodlands, forest glades, and meadows, and across the hills surrounding the park. The park has an RV horse camp with sites that have stalls. This campground also connects directly to the horseback riding trails.
The park’s network of trails also make for excellent biking. The steep hills and windy forest paths will challenge even the most experience mountain bikers. But there’s enough terrain variety that even beginner mountain bikers can find a trail that suits their experience level.
Most of the trails are multi-use. However, some may be reserved for hiking or horseback riding. Check with the park office to get an up to date trail map.
The park’s 25 miles of trails take you across rolling hills and through the green pine forests packed with wildlife. There’s also a number of streams that run through the park, drawing in deer, elk, waterfowl, and sometimes even bobcats. The park’s network of trails can be accessed directly from the three RV campgrounds.
The park also has a Discovery Depot, where you can learn more about the natural ecosystem of the region. It’s open year round, although hours may vary depending on the season.
