L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park serves as the main camping destination within 30 minutes of Banks, Oregon. This 1,800-acre state park sits at approximately 1,100 feet elevation, featuring diverse forest ecosystems that transition between Coast Range and Valley habitats. The park receives approximately 100 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush understory vegetation that's particularly vibrant during spring and early summer.
What to do
Mountain biking on dedicated trails: The extensive trail system at L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park includes several miles of mountain biking trails with varying difficulty levels. "We plan to return to explore more of the mountain bike trails," notes one camper who appreciates the easy access from the Brooke Creek Hike-In Campground.
Disc golf course play: The park features a complete disc golf course accessible from the campgrounds. "Open feel, but sites are spacious. Nice playground for kids, fun disc golf course and wonderful access to biking (paved or dirt)," reports a visitor to Dairy Creek Camp.
Stargazing opportunities: The elevated position of certain campsites provides exceptional night sky viewing. At Hares Canyon Horse Camp, one visitor noted "The top of the park shows a vast section of sky which is perfect for meteor shower watching."
Swimming in forest creeks: For those willing to drive slightly farther, Elk Creek Campground offers natural water recreation. "The sites are surrounded by beautiful trees, ferns and greenery... We spent most of our time on the Elk Creek side since we have kiddos and the stream was the perfect size for playing and swimming without the stress of a larger river," shares a camper.
What campers like
Private walk-in tent sites: The Brooke Creek Hike-In area provides a more secluded tent camping experience. "When we visited, there were at most 2-3 other groups in the area so we were very spread out and had lots of privacy. The atmosphere is very green and lush," mentions one camper. Another adds, "We were the only ones out there... but the walk in and out is nothing but a hill. That was a small price for the beautiful seclusion."
Wildlife viewing: Healing Ponds Farm Retreat offers a unique farm environment with wildlife observation. "We enjoyed seeing the baby bunnies, cows, goats, chickens, and turkeys! My partner, myself, and teen had so much fun visiting them all. Our site was secluded and we had privacy," reports one visitor.
Quick access from Portland: Most campgrounds near Banks provide convenient getaways. A regular visitor to Gales Creek Campground notes, "Great little Campground close to PDX. Spaces are fairly small so no campers over 25ft I'm guessing."
Year-round camping options: Some campgrounds in the area maintain availability during winter months. At Champoeg State Heritage Area, a camper mentioned, "Love to stay here when all the other campgrounds close. Nice hiking trails. The rangers are very nice."
What you should know
Campsite availability patterns: Finding last-minute sites can be challenging, especially on summer weekends. A camper at L.L. Stub Stewart notes, "This year with covid it's been harder to find a spot last min and they would only let you reserve 30 days in advance so planning something in advance was impossible."
Water quality concerns: At some campgrounds, water requires treatment or supplementation. At Reeder Beach RV Park, one camper warns, "Water has arsenic and is no good to drink or cook with. You have to bring your own water, or buy theirs, which they don't mention on their website."
Fire restrictions: Several campgrounds enforce strict fire rules, particularly during summer months. Some, like Jantzen Beach RV Park, don't allow fires at all.
Campground privacy varies: Some campgrounds offer more seclusion than others. A camper at Dairy Creek observed, "The East loop is pretty much an open field. The west loop has a few more trees but still not much privacy or space between sites."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated children's play areas. At Champoeg State Heritage Area, a visitor noted, "Great family getaway. Champoeg has a little of everything. GREAT biking trails that are kid-friendly. There are lots of historical sites around the campground to enjoy as well."
Creek play areas: Certain campgrounds feature kid-friendly water access. At Elk Creek Campground, a parent shared, "The sites are decent size though not huge, and are surrounded by beautiful trees, ferns and greenery... The creek was an excellent location to play in and in some spots we were able to swim."
Biking with children: Paved trails provide safe cycling for families. "Lots to do with the Banks-Vernonia trail running through the camp that has over 15 miles of paved walking/biking trails," explains a visitor to Hares Canyon Horse Camp.
Yurt options: For families seeking alternatives to tent camping, some parks offer cabin accommodations. "We've been here 3 times, once for tent camping and twice in a yurt. The yurts are heated, and a couple of them are pet friendly, which is great for us!" shares a Champoeg State Park visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site length considerations: RV sites vary significantly in size throughout the area. At L.L. Stub Stewart, an RVer reported, "Our spot was very spacious as the length was 45 feet deep on asphalt. It had a picnic table and a fire ring in a well-groomed gravel area about 30' x 30'."
Water pressure variations: Some campgrounds have infrastructure limitations. One RVer at Jantzen Beach noted, "Water pressure is the lowest we've ever experienced. Not sure what's going on but all of the folks we've talked to are experiencing the same."
Satellite positioning: For RVers needing satellite connectivity, site selection matters. "Our spot was on the north side of the road so when we put out our satellite unit it had lots of southern sky to find a signal from," shares a camper at Dairy Creek West.
Full hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer complete RV services. At L.L. Stub Stewart, a visitor commented, "We were in the Daisy Creek loop with FHUs. The pad starts with asphalt and then goes to gravel, where you actually park the rig."
