L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park offers a convenient pet-friendly camping location approximately 34 miles west of Portland. Located at 1,800 feet elevation in the northwest Oregon Coast Range, the park features varied terrain with forests, meadows, and stream corridors spread across 1,800 acres. Winter camping is available year-round with temperatures ranging from 30-80°F depending on the season, and most sites remain open even during colder months.
What to do
Disc golf course access: Dairy Creek East at L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park offers convenient access to disc golf facilities. "The park offers many hiking trails of varying length, access to the Banks-Vernonia State Trail, several disc golf courses, cabins, a horse camp, a day use picnic/event area and a hike-in camp area," notes Shane B.
Horseback riding trails: Hares Canyon Horse Camp provides dedicated equestrian facilities with corrals and direct trail access. "Experiencing several of the many long trails on horseback was an unforgettable experience. The horse camp comes complete with full hookups, a full bathroom with showers, and corrals for the horses," shares Tanya B.
Stargazing opportunities: The park's elevation makes it ideal for night sky viewing. "The top of the park shows a vast section of sky which is perfect for meteor shower watching," says Jeff H. "Local astronomy groups often host star gazing events when the night sky is clear for various meteor showers or other astronomical events of interest."
Mountain biking: The forest offers technical trails for various skill levels. "Lots of hiking and mountain biking trails within the park and a regional rail to trail runs through it," mentions Annie B. The trails are regularly maintained with recent signage improvements.
What campers like
Private hike-in sites: Brooke Creek at L.L. Stub Stewart State Park offers secluded tent camping. "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," writes Jenny R. "The tent pads are a typical woodsy mix of pine straw, leaves, and loose gravel."
Creek access for cooling off: Elk Creek Campground provides direct water access for hot days. "The campsite is located in the heart of the Tillamook State Forest, surrounded by majestic Douglas firs that create an atmosphere of comfort and harmony," explains Paul M. "Each campsite is well screened by trees, has its own parking, a fire pit with a grill for cooking, and a special platform for a tent."
Farm animal interactions: Healing Ponds Farm offers unique animal encounters beyond typical camping. "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," shares Meg R.
Equipment assistance: For hike-in campsites, carts are available to help transport gear. "The hike in is pretty easy—about a quarter mile down the up. They have carts to help you get all your stuff to your spot in one trip which is very helpful," explains Jenny R., making these remote sites more accessible for campers with heavier equipment.
What you should know
Water pressure issues: Some RV parks have water system limitations. At Jantzen Beach RV Park, "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," reports Jennifer H.
Wildlife encounters possible: Be prepared for animal interactions during overnight stays. "When we came back from the shower my wife and I observed a dark shadow darting from the table around the back corner of the tent... A bobcat to be exact," recounts Patrick G. "When I dialed the park ranger I got Oregon State Park Services which was closed."
Self-registration procedures: Know the check-in process before arrival. "The self-registration is at the campground, NOT at the trailhead, so you'll have to hike in, register, and then return your camping receipt to your car. If you're paying with cash, bring your money on the first hike in," advises Stephanie Z.
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes are common during warmer months. "If there's one thing you want to pack, it's bug spray. It's not overly buggy, but the mosquitoes are there, and you don't want them to dampen your experience," warns Nathan R. At Elk Creek, reviews mention that June brings "mosquitos being abundant."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Champoeg State Heritage Area offers dedicated children's facilities. "There was a huge playground for the kids. There was also a large field area for dogs to roam around, just no fence," reports Ashley B. "For being so close to the greater Portland area it felt like we were much further away."
Historical activities: Some parks include educational opportunities. "The farmhouse fascinated my boys... they got to water the garden with a water pump and buckets," shares Leslie C., creating hands-on learning experiences during camping trips.
Site selection strategy: For more privacy with children, choose specific site numbers. "I really appreciated other Dyrt reviews that said the shadier, more private sites are numbered below 40. We were in 38," notes Annie B., helping families find more secluded accommodations.
Swimming spots for hot days: Elk Creek offers safe water play areas for children. "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," explains Corinna B., highlighting the safety advantages of smaller water features.
Tips from RVers
Year-round accessibility: Columbia River RV Park provides consistent access regardless of season. "Showed up in the dark & rain, no reservations in February. Lots of room at each site, very clean, nice bathrooms, quiet. Easy onsite reservation/payment," shares Debra L.
Site drainage considerations: Select elevated sites during rainy periods. "When we came here before, it was an easy drive in on US-26 to the campground. The pad starts with asphalt and then goes to gravel, where you actually park the rig," notes MickandKarla W., describing the surface conditions important for wet weather camping.
Satellite connectivity: Site selection impacts technology access for RVers. "We had a clear shot to the north sky for Starlink, but it's doubtful we'd get a southern sky shot from this site due to the mature trees. We got 3 bars LTE on Verizon," reports MickandKarla W., providing specific technical details.
Water quality concerns: Some locations require bringing drinking water. "Flat gravel for most part, steps away from the Columbia River, decent space between sites with good shade depending on your site. Only reason for 4 starts is because the water is dirty. It's brownish and smells like metal. Make sure to bring your own fresh water," advises C.W., highlighting an important preparation step for pet-friendly camping near Banks, Oregon.
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