Three Best State Parks Near Portland

Ever since Oregon’s admission to the Union in 1859, it has been an escape for individuals looking to explore the great outdoors. Oregon is filled with lush green forests, beautiful mountains, and clear blue waterways. It is a state as natural as they come and that is why people are still heading to the Pacific Northwest today.

Portland is the largest city in Oregon. It makes for a great base for renting an RV rental and seeing the area. Portland is within a short distance of three of Oregon’s best state parks: Ainsworth, Milo McIver, and L.L. Stub Stewart. Each state park offers its own unique activities to entice RV lovers. Traveling by camper rental gives parkgoers the perfect opportunity to experience each state park in their own way. 

Ainsworth State Park

Ainsworth State Park is 34 miles from Portland. RV travelers can start their journey in Portland and drive the short distance to the beautiful forest park in less than an hour. Ainsworth opens in March for the camping season and attracts visitors from all over the state. Unlike some of the state’s other parks, it closes down in late October.

The gorgeous state park is situated in the Columbia River Gorge. It is a breath-taking park that gives trail runners, hikers, and mountain bikers plenty of great paths to explore. Ainsworth has been called a waterfall wonderland thanks to the unbelievable flowing falls inside the park. The most famous water fall is Multnomah Falls which woos visitors each year.

RV travelers will not only see the world’s largest concentration of water falls, but they will also discover St. Peter’s Dome. The natural landmark is a basalt monolith that rises 2,000 feet above the Columbia River.

Ainsworth State Park has extensive campgrounds and plenty of area for RV rentals. There are 40 full hookup sites. The area is surrounded by green trees that provide a perfect shelter during the warm months of the year. The campsite also provides toilets and showers to RV visitors.

Milo McIver State Park in a Motorhome Rental

Milo McIver State Park is just 23 miles from Portland. RV visitors can find an assortment of different activities in Milo State Park compared to Ainsworth. One reason Milo is so popular is due to it being open all year long.

Travelers can find a plethora of enjoyable activities including disc golf, fishing, horseback riding trails, and an amphitheater. There is even a boat ramp allowing RV travelers a place to put their boat or jet-ski into the water.

The state park is nestled along with Clackamas River allowing RV travelers scenic views and top-notch fishing. Whether it is the river, forest, or the local fields, there is plenty for a traveler to explore on a trip to Milo. One of the favorite activities in the state park is to spend the day floating down the Clackamas River. Parkgoers can regularly be seen floating by on rafts, canoes, and kayaks throughout the day.

Along with great fishing opportunities, there is also a fish hatchery located at Milo McIver State Park. Travelers can take a tour of the hatchery and learn all about the local fish that live in the local Oregon waterways.

After fishing in the Clackamas River, visitors can hike or run the extensive trails that go through the park or finish off the day with a 27-hole round of disc golf. Families can find programs during the summer months including guided hikes and craft events.

RV travelers will find 44 electrical hookup sites at Milo McIver State Park. All 44 sites come with water. The park has shower and toilet facilities. There is also an RV dump stations for travelers.

L.L. Stub Stewart State Park

Located just over 35 miles from Portland, RV vacation goers will find L.L. Stub Stewart State Park. The state park is open year-round giving visitors the chance to explore its trails in all four seasons. The park is filled with activities and amenities as travelers will find an amphitheater, cabins, hiking trails, and disc golf.

L.L. Stub Stewart State Park’s close proximity to Portland makes it ideal for weekend trips or for nature lovers looking for a day out in the wilderness. The park has 25 miles of trails that can be accessed by runners, hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. Thanks to Portland being a mecca for trail running, Stewart State Park is frequented by runners pounding the paths. The running and cycling trails can be a challenge, so visitors should come prepared. The park is 1,800 acres and much of that can be seen while roaming along its brilliant trails. Visitors will come across streams, lush forests and hills filled with colorful flowers as they roam through the wilderness. If the nature trails, streams, and forests aren’t enough to excite RV travelers than perhaps the 18-hole disc golf course is.

L.L. Stub Stewart State Park has extensive areas for RV travelers. There are three areas for RVs to enjoy during a stay at the park. The Dairy Creek Camp West is open year-round and features 43 full hookup RV sites. There are also flushable toilets and showers located there. Visitors wanting to start their own campfire can find wood for sale at the campground.

The Dairy Camp East is open from March until the end of October. It is a great area for families as it features a playground for children to enjoy. There are 35 full hookups for RV users. Hares Canyon Horse Camp is also open from March until the end of October. It is the smallest of the three RV venues with 13 full hookup sites. There are four-stall corrals for those bringing their horses with them. There are also two double-size full hookup sites with six-stall horse corrals. Horse riders will find manure bins to deposit their waste into. All three RV areas at L.L. Stub Stewart State Park have hookup sites for RVs that are at least 50 feet long.