Equestrian camping near Banks, Oregon centers around the Tillamook State Forest and L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park areas. Located about 26 miles west of Portland, the region sits at elevations ranging from 500-1,500 feet with dense Douglas fir forests and interconnected trail systems. Weather varies significantly between seasons with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F while winter brings substantial rainfall and occasional snow at higher elevations.
What to do
Astronomical events and stargazing: The higher elevation sections of L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park offer exceptional night sky viewing opportunities. "The top of the park shows a vast section of sky which is perfect for meteor shower watching," notes Jeff H. about Hares Canyon Horse Camp. Local astronomy groups frequently host events during meteor showers.
Mountain biking and hiking: Trails throughout the region range from beginner-friendly to challenging routes. At Dairy Creek East, one visitor reports, "Open feel, but sites are spacious. Nice playground for kids, fun disc golf course and wonderful access to biking (paved or dirt)." Many trails connect directly between campgrounds.
Disc golf: Multiple courses are available in the area for disc golf enthusiasts. "Aside from the sites, the park has 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," explains a reviewer from Shane B.
What campers like
Privacy and spaciousness: Several campgrounds offer more secluded options. "There are 23 sites at this campground, though sites 10-23 are reservable, leaving sites 1-9 'first come, first served'," shares Nathan R. about Brooke Creek Hike-in Camp. "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."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forests host diverse wildlife including bobcats. Patrick G. from Hares Canyon Horse Camp recounts, "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. I yelled at the cat for some time it wouldn't leave it sat there and stared me down."
Proximity to supplies: Despite feeling remote, many campgrounds are near towns with basic amenities. For campers staying at Anderson Park in Vernonia, "Grocery, laundry, several good restaurants and shops. The trail comes through camp and you can walk anywhere in town from camp," according to Ben I.
What you should know
Site selection considerations: Choose wisely based on privacy needs. "I really appreciated other Dyrt reviews that said the shadier, more private sites are numbered below 40. We were in 38," advises Annie B. about L.L. Stub Stewart. "The walk in sites in Dairy Loop surround a meadow, so less private."
Tent camping limitations: Some areas offer less privacy for tent campers. Erin P. notes about Dairy Creek Camp: "I was unimpressed. Okay local if you need to camp in Portland. Not so nice bathrooms. Tent camping was in a big field with weird gravel bits that got louder in the morning. No barriers between campsites."
Weather preparedness: Rain is common even during normally dry months. Jenny R. from Brooke Creek Hike-in Camp shares, "My husband and I have stayed here twice and both times it has rained. Which is fine but we find it very humorous (and actually really enjoy camping in the rain)."
Tips for camping with families
Trail accessibility: The Banks-Vernonia State Trail offers a paved, family-friendly option. "The Banks-Vernonia State Trail provides 21 miles of paved multi-use pathway accessible from L.L. Stub Stewart State Park with designated horse lanes on portions of the trail," according to official information from Reehers Camp.
Camping cart availability: For family gear transportation, some campgrounds provide assistance. "They have carts to help you get all your stuff to your spot in one trip which is very helpful," notes Jenny R. about the Brooke Creek hike-in sites, making them accessible even with young children and multiple items.
Bug preparedness: Mosquitoes are present, especially in summer. "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," advises Nathan R.
Tips from RVers
Site length and configuration: RV sites vary considerably between campgrounds. At L.L. Stub Stewart State Park, MickandKarla W. explains, "The pad starts with asphalt and then goes to gravel, where you actually park the rig... The water and sewer hookups were in the middle of the site, with electric being at the back of the pad."
Water pressure considerations: Be prepared for potential utility limitations. "The water pressure was not very good at around 35 psi," notes MickandKarla W. about L.L. Stub Stewart State Park.
Cell service variability: Reception can be spotty throughout the region. "We got 3 bars LTE on Verizon," reports MickandKarla W., while other campgrounds like Camp Wilkerson have "no signal for sure and no Wi-fi is available" according to Schona K.
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