The Tent Camper

Nehalem Bay State Park

2010-08-26T13:27:00.000-07:00

Overview
Minutes from endearing beach communities on the Oregon Coast and 30 minutes from Tillamook, Nehalem Bay State Park is a great base of operations for beach-lovers. For the low price of hoofing it across a dune, there is beach access immediately off the campground.

Activities
The activities available are a diverse bunch, virtually guaranteed to whet anyone's appetite. However, not all of them are accessible from the campground, so having some form of transportation is a definite plus. The park itself sports a bike path, paved roads suitable for rollerblades, spendy horse rides, and access to the beach via a short trail over a dune. One note of caution about accessing the beach from these trails: I never saw a sign indicating the way back to the park, so either take a good, long look back at the way you came or bring some flagging. The beach is a sandy beach while is even accessible at high tide. Granted, you have less beach to access, but you still have beach!

Within a brief drive, you have a variety of attractions. Oswald West State Park and others offer the classic opportunity to poke around in tidepools. If you do go tidepooling, simply remember to be courteous to the creatures and their homes, keeping in mind they want to stay. The community of Nehalem and others along Highway 101 offer the charming little beach shops one can go poking around in to find antiques, mass-produced knick-knacks from China, or locally created crafts. Though it was a bit tricky, we located Sarah Jo's Candy in Nehalem and will make it a tradition to pick up some of the delicious peanut brittle they hand-make! Finally, if you're like me and the thought of sand mushing around in your sock is a distasteful side effect of being near the ocean, there are several hikes within a brief drive. My favorite is up Neah-Kah-Nie Mountain - the view at the top is amazing, and the journey is a heart-pumping workout. Activities here earn a 4, considering you do have to leave the park for many of them.

Site Quality
Much to my chagrin, there's not a tent space to be had in the entire park. It's all yurts or hook-ups, which means you pay a premium. Generally speaking, the individual sites tend to be plenty spacious, well-tended, and possessed of some shade, though not full shade. Between the sites, there are a few trees, but you really don't have any expectation of privacy here. It seemed as if selecting a site close to the dune helped in sheltering you from some of the coastal wind. Each site is equipped with a mobile table, firepit, water spigot, and electricity. Bathrooms with flush toilets and warm water are within a short walk. Playgrounds are available within the park for the young ones.

When considering my rating for this section, I referenced my original post and kept in mind that on this blog, we're looking specifically at the value of a park for tent campers. A 1 signifies "no attempt made," which seems to be accurate if you enjoy sequestering yourself in tent sites without electricity. If you're in a trailer, the sites would be lovely, but for those of us tent dwellers, a 1 in this category is representative.

Maintenance
The bathrooms were clean with a constant presence of some sand on the floor. However, comparing this to most day use or overnight bathrooms along the coast, it wasn't the sand pit most of them tend to be. I never spotted any litter, and the grounds were well-kept. Rangers and hosts alike were both helpful and friendly. A strong showing in the category merits a 4.5.

Overall Value
Based on the fact you are forced to pay a premium for electricity or a yurt you're not going to use, this category will also be a place the park is hit hard. Generally speaking, it was well-kept and offered a number of great activities to take part in along the coast. However, considering the price one must pay for a site here, I'd rate the overall value at a 2, given the number of campgrounds the coast has to offer.

Amenities
All sites are equipped with a mobile table, firepit, water, and electricity. Waste water stations are near each site. Centralized garbage disposal is available, along with recycling, but only items you'd be able to put in a typical mixed rollcart. Just down the road, there is a transfer station that provides a greater number of recycling opportunities, including propane canisters. I know this is a bit geeky, but if you'll just bear with my Master Recycler self, I recommend a visit anyway - it's an incredible disposal area, staffed by an army of volunteers that really helps with recycling needs as well as setting aside items that have potential for reuse. Back on topic, Nehalem Bay does accept reservations. Insects with a taste for human flesh were present, though not aggressive. We saw crows, chipmunks, golden eagles, birds I believe were a variety of loon, seagulls, and deer.

Miscellaneous Notes
Visa, Mastercard, check, and cash are accepted forms of payment. As with all Oregon State Parks, reservations can be made through Reserve America. Flush toilets, showers, and hot/cold sinks are available. Everywhere I went, cell phone reception was good.

How hard is it to find?
Finding the State Park was simple enough, though it's slightly more tucked away than your average park. We missed the sign directing us to the campground, so we toured the day use areas prior to arriving at our site. Head to Nehalem on Highway 101 and turn onto Manzanita Avenue. Take a left on Classic Street and follow it south as it turns into Gary Street and it'll plop you right into the park. Just keep an eye out for those sneaky campground signs!

Will you go back?
The annual family camping trip was shifted from Cape Lookout to Nehalem Bay due to concerns over rapidly disappearing beach, so yes. However, left to my own devices, I would not visit a second time, though I must admit the beach is not my favorite biome.

Conclusion
If you're looking for a modern campground to stay at while you explore the Oregon Coast, Nehalem Bay is a sound choice. If you're looking to combine your beach visit with the ability to spend your down time in quiet contemplation of your surroundings, free from the whirring of pumps and overheard re-runs, I would suggest you keep looking. Overall, this park wound up with a composite score of 2.6.

**I believe photos for this one are on my hubby's SLR. I'll get them up as soon as possible!

Ainsworth State Park

2010-08-25T14:38:00.000-07:00

Overview
What natural setting do you drag just about every out-of-towner to if you're located in the Portland area? Why, Multnomah Falls, of course! Scenery is abundant within feet of your vehicle and there are also rewarding hiking trails for those who have a mind. Sitting within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area with its well-deserved reputation for spectacular beauty, sits Ainsworth State Park. This modern campground is as gorgeous as one would assume and sits conveniently next to I-84 and the Historic Columbia River Highway.

Activities
If you took your time and a picnic lunch, you could make an entire day out of driving along the Historic Highway, pausing to reflect on each waterfall and following the short, easy trails to falls just off the road. My recommendation, though, would be to follow any network of trails and make a few days out of hiking. The trails are of moderate difficulty, enough to get your heart pumping, but not enough to send the seasonal hiker back to their point of origin in defeat. I would also argue that many of the more spectacular falls are accessible only by hoofing it, giving you regular eye-candy rewards along your trek. The Oneonta Gorge trail has you wading up a creek in the lower-water level days of the summer that ends at the bottom of a waterfall. We were in long pants and my only pair of shoes when we were hiking, so we opted out of that adventure. This time. I just can't praise the hiking in the area enough – you can be gone all day in the woods, or you can find loops that will take you an hour or two, all with dazzling scenery.

Looking at Ponytail Falls from the trail behind it

As the campground is paved, rollerblading is also an option within the campground itself. The pavement tends to be a bit on the rough and rocky side beyond that, making for a hazardous trek. Biking the Historic Highway is also possible, though caution is necessary as there are many narrow spots to negotiate. If you're a family with young ones, I would certainly not suggest this as a route for your beginning bikers. Nearby Multnomah Falls offers a very small interpretive center and gift shop, as well. While the hiking and sight-seeing is out-of-this-world, the area specialized in that alone. Based on the narrow focus, activities gain a 4.

Site Quality
By and large, this campground has hook-up sites that are irritatingly small, slopey, and open, making them poor choices for those of us who love our tents. However, the actual tent area is well done. A parking area is separated from the campsites by a small, plant-covered burm. It blocks out some of the noise of the campground and light from traffic quite effectively. It does demand you carry your supplies from your car to your site, but it's a very short stroll, worth it for the benefits the burm offers. The sites themselves are arranged sporadically across a hill with waist high foliage, though the sites have each been leveled. It's possible to see your neighbors' tents and fires, though you only catch the loudest moments of conversation. Though fellows were close at hand, it certainly felt as though your site was your own. While we camped, clouds dominated the sky, but based on all the trees, I imagine you could expect mottled shade in your site.

Each site had a mobile table, firepit, and water available within a reasonable distance. Interestingly enough, bathrooms were a fair stroll from the sites compared to most well-established campgrounds. The tent sites were generously sized, easily accommodating 1-2 large tents. The only disadvantage that, as the campground is located close to both the freeway and train tracks, muted noise from cars and train horns was audible. However, it wasn't loud enough to be a major distraction, merely present enough that I was never able to envision myself all that far away from civilization. Assuming you secure yourself a tent site, the partial visibility of neighbors along with the freeway noise merits a solid 4.

Maintenance
Everything we attempted to take advantage of was in good, working order. The bathrooms were well cleaned, though I frequently sited bits of toilet paper on the floor. The winding path through the forest to the bathroom was typical of the campground – free of litter and a product of good groundskeeping. I must pause to define "good groundskeeping" as maintaining the area's natural vegetation in order to allow for passage rather than a park that feels expertly groomed and designed. Hosts we interacted with were very businesslike, but we had a wonderful time speaking with the rangers and gathering tidbits about the area. Consistent quality with respect for the habitat the campground was placed in gives this category a 5.

Overall Value
The hiking here is outstanding, among my favorite places to go in spite of it's popularity and increased traffic. The tent sites are well-done and the staff is dedicated to their work. It makes for a beautiful outdoor experience. This park falls pretty firmly into the 4 category.

Amenities
Ainsworth State Park boasts the standard, but well-appreciated complement of services I've come to expect from Oregon State Parks: a mobile table, firepit, water spigots, waste water disposal, garbage, full recycling facilities, and even a place to dispose of empty propane containers. Hook-up and tent sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Day use areas around the park are lackluster, featuring bathrooms and picnic tables designed for driving daytrippers. Most of the activities in the area tend to be hiking- or driving-centric. We saw a variety of insects, banana slugs, chipmunks, eagles, and osprey about the area.

Miscellaneous Notes
Visa, Mastercard, check, or cash are accepted forms of payments. No reservations are made for this park. From the lack of obvious standing water, I wouldn't have guessed it, but the mosquitoes can be rather aggressive. Flush toilets, hot/cold sinks, and showers are all available. Cell phone reception is good at the campground and I forgot to check up into the trail system – I was understandable distracted by nature!

How hard is it to find?
If you ever wished for a park to be easy to find, this one would be it. Hop on I-84 heading toward Multnomah Falls. Whether you elect to travel the Historic Highway or 84, signs will guide you flawlessly.

Will you go back?
Based on this park's proximity to my home, I know I will daytrip out to complete more of the hiking in the area. I may eventually head back to camp, but given the option of trying out a new place or returning to Ainsworth, at this point my wanderlust will certainly get the better of me!

Conclusion
Ainsworth State Park blends seamlessly with the relaxing natural setting that lures so many people out to the area, both locals and out-of-towners. Compromising between creating an outdoor motel, in essence, and a rustic getaway, this modern campground will satisfy car campers and families alike who wish to be able to take a short trip and enjoy the natural abundance Oregon has to offer. Overall, this park earned it's 4.25.

**Either I neglected to take pictures of the campsites themselves, or I need to track them down. I'll update this with pictures eventually, even if I have to go retake them.

Armstrong Federal Campground

2009-08-19T11:12:00.000-07:00

Overview
I was thrilled beyond expression when we pulled into this campground. Our friends had made reservations and I was only able to find a brief text-only description online, so this felt like a bit of a mystery. Armstrong Federal is one campground in the group of federal campgrounds along the Clackamas River. Numbering a mere 11 total sites, this area is all tent(though you could pull in an RV sans hookups) and completely rustic. The music of the river was audible throughout the shady, spacious campground and visible from some sites.

Activities
If you like playing in, on, and/or around the river, this campsite is for you. If you've no desire to have anything to do with a river, I'd suggest finding a different site. However, for my fellow water lovers, you can do virtually any activity here. There are great swimming holes right off the campground. Here, you have the option of sitting on a rock and diddling your toes in the stream, jumping in(though the water is very cold in this area), tubing, rafting, or kayaking. I'm sure you could put your non-motorized water craft in here, but I imagine there's a better place upriver to put in based on the number of folks going by. I saw a legal-sized trout at the bottom of the river, so you could cast your line, though no one actually caught anything while I was there.
Within 5-10 minutes driving, there are several wide pull-offs along the road made to facilitate more water activity. Apparently there's a bend where the salmon fishing is incredible. There are also several trails down to the river's edge where rock formations lend themselves to "cliff-hopping" into the river. Always, always check where the bottom of the river is unless you happen to be with someone who is familiar with the area. We never found an area where we would have been in danger jumping off the rocks, but making the assumption you're safe could lead to dire consequences. One note, though: in this area, the water is very cold. It could be unsafe to spend prolonged periods in it due to the temperature. If you're willing to make a 30 minute drive, there are areas where you can swim and float around in the water all day. Be honest with yourself and listen to your body. Thanks to the accessibility of the river from the campsite (not having to jump in a machine is always a boon), the activities have earned a 4.

Site Quality
This campground is a through and through tent camper's paradise. Between no hookups available anywhere, water from a pump, and solely pit toilets, this tends to be a very peaceful area, free from modern distractions. Privacy is also pretty good here. Typically, the campsites are visible from the road, but with only 11 sites, you don't get too much traffic pulling through. There is also a lot of space in between just about every site and the next, plus lots of greenery, so you can get a good feeling of distance, if not independence. However, the sites are still close enough that if you feel like being neighborly, it's quite easy! I could hear my fellow campers if they were noisy, but not conversational.
Parking pads are very large; you can comfortable fill your two car limit or easily pull in a camper or RV if that's more your style. While the table and firepit are fixed, there's lots of space to fit a large tent and a small companion tent in the sites without being uncomfortably close to the fire. During your stay, you'll be able to relax under the mottled shade provided by a tall, mixed forest. If you're feeling like a patch of sun, you can probably find one in your site, yet the shade is complete enough that you really don't need to spend all day dragging your cooler around to keep it out of the sun. Each site also has easy access to a restroom (but not too close) and a quick walk at worst to the water pump. For those of you who can't abide by smelly pit toilets, bring a can of spray disinfectant in your favorite scent. A little goes a long way when it comes to dealing with the smell. I have no complaints whatsoever about the campsites except for their proximity to the road. Due to that, the ranking stands at a 4.5.

Maintenance
Everything worked! The pump spewed water with kinetic coercion and the pit toilets, well, smelled. Beyond pieces of toilet paper in the restroom structure and a few faded bit of cardboard here and there, the grounds seemed clean and well cared-for. I imagine it's a fairly low-maintenance area for the caretakers, though, as the campground is dominated by either packed dirt or native plant life. As a random sidenote I can't resist, the lack of invasive species, English Ivy and Himalayan Blackberries most notably, impressed me greatly. Add in the presence of a few red huckleberry bushes and you have me smiling! Only being 11 sites strong, this park had no hosts and I never spotted any rangers or other benefactors, though toilet paper refills and exchanged reservation cards belied their presence. The actual maintenance seemed fine, but the lack of on-site personnel or any reference to where to talk to someone was a little bit disappointing. I've come to greatly enjoy the insight of hosts and rangers on the best things to see in an area. Due to the people-factor, I'm giving this category a 3.5.

Overall Value
I like rivers. I like the activities around them. Therefore, Armstrong Federal wound up having a high degree of value to me, particularly in the toasty weather. I liked that a "useable" portion of the river was within easy walking distance with an even greater number of options within a short drive. I feel like it supports both the "camping as home" and "camping as base camp" philosophies of enjoying the outdoors. The plethora of good swimming holes, rapids, fishing spots, and places to dip one's toes were very valuable features for me. Based on the ability to relax in nature and the experience of having a versatile river within a short walk of your campsite, I'm giving this one a 4. In your mind, feel free to adjust it high or lower based on your own feelings about rivers.

Amenities
The physical site offers a fixed table and firepit. Water is available by hand-pump. There is not firewood offered for sale, nor are there any recycling facilities. There are a pair of dumpsters for garbage. There is not a day use area or group camp site attached to the campground and there are no options beyond rustic camping. However, it does offer a variety of activities around the untamed river and plenty of wildlife. I saw a variety of birds, including an osprey, as well as fish in the river. If you were up early enough, I wouldn't be surprised if you were able to catch sight of a deer or elk lumbering to the stream for a morning drink.

Miscellaneous Notes
Armstrong Federal can be paid for with cash or check only. A fair number of insects joined our outdoor foray, though not enough to be labeled as extremely pesky. I think this can at least partially be attributed to the tendency of water in the area to either soak into the ground or move rapidly. We had a few yellow jackets, mosquitoes, and annoying (not biting) tiny flies. There were pit toilets and no sinks, showers, or waste water disposal locations. There is absolutely no cell phone reception in the campground and it's at least 15-20 minutes of driving to get any.

Conclusion
I recognize this type of camping will drive many campers away, but that only works to further my own enjoyment of the experience. When I camp, I tend to want to get away from blaring stereos, televisions, and cell phone ringtones most of all. If you're comfortable boiling any water you wish to be warm and really want an opportunity to get back to nature in a deeper, purer sense, this is a campsite, averaging a rating of 4, for you.

Champoeg State Park

2009-06-22T16:56:00.001-07:00

Overview
My initial reaction to this park was dislike. However, the more I walked around, the more I softened up. My typical vision of camping is a dense coniferous forest replete with sword ferns, moss, Methuselah's Beach, and the aroma of nurse logs. I found myself greeted with wide open spaces, a mixed forest, and a plethora of wildflowers. While not my traditional choice, I unexpectedly revelled in the beauty of this area.

Activities
Champoeg (pronounced "shampoo-ey") has a fairly decent mix of family-friendly activities. A few paved hiking biking trails wend through the park as well as a few well-maintained hiking trails. While I did not trod much of them with my own feet, they have been reported as very easy. The day-use area is large and within walking distance of the campground. It offered a 15-hole disc golf course, horse shoes, and access to a dock on the river. While trails may dip closer to the river, this was the only access to the water I found near the campground. It seems to be the "bring a book and cool your toes" sort of experience with the river rather than the splash in and poke at the water denizens type. A few people were also fishing off the dock.

One hugely unique perspective Champoeg offers in a historical look at the little town that was lost to the river flooding. They offer reenactments of everything from blacksmithing to children's games. There are old cabins and houses that have been transformed into museums. Quite a bit of history, complete with markers and monuments, seems to be the origin of this park. They also have the Historic Butteville store, the oldest continually operating store in the state. This history portion of the State Park will require you to drive or hoof it a decent, though not entirely daunting, way.

Finally, I noticed what I believe were goldfinches fluttering around the campsite frequently. After engaging one of the park rangers, I found out there used to be a host or ranger who frequently the campsite whose nickname is "Bird Lady." She took on many projects to encourage the avian population to settle in and around the campground. One of these was to construct nesting boxes for the bluebird population in the park. In the spring, they keep track of where bluebirds have moved in and denote the boxes with a strip of blue tape. If you have patience, you will certainly see the mating pair and perhaps even offspring. While the activities are not all quite my speed, the variety and availability certainly merits a 5.

Site Quality
I must admit, openly and honestly, that reviewing the sites were a bit of a trick this trip. I was actually camping in the group site with some friends which is removed from the rest of the campground, more attached to the day use area and down a little dip. As far as group sites go, this one was incredible. The group sites here are extremely spacious, complemented by enormous concrete fire rings which radiate heat from even a small campfire admirably, and plenty of tables. Plus, the dip gives you a lot of privacy.
The tent sites look surprisingly nice. After walking the rest of the park and seeing the hookup sites, I didn't expect much, but the tent sites have their own mini-loop and seemed to be cradled in foliage. There were many tall trees and thick shrubbery that provided both ample privacy and shade. I didn't get a chance to wander around in any as they were all occupied, but it looked as though there was plenty of room for a tent and still plenty of "living space" for the table, firepit, and enjoying the site.

The hike-in/bike-in camps left a lot to be desired. A short path from the campground let into a clearing with firepit and tables. There were no defined borders between sites and you could actually see the back side of someone's house from the sites. It also wasn't far enough away from the campground to really remove you from the activity and noise. None of the hook-up sites offered any privacy. The ones in A Loop were lightly shaded with flowers like wild roses between the sites while the B loop ones had short shrubs, if anything. However, they were spacious, open, and bright. Overall, I would say the site quality here is a 4, with the strong recommendation to get a tent site.

Maintenance
This park was extremely well-maintained. In fact, the expertly trimmed undergrowth and general landscaped feel removed some of the feeling of wildness from the park. All of the facilities were in excellent repair. The entire park was very clean; I'm not sure I saw a single scrap of litter. I never interacted with the hosts here and had a hard time tracking down the rangers on Saturday. It seemed like their booth was closed all day. When I did chat with one, he definitely knew the information you'd find in a pamphlet about the park. After I pressed, he shared the story about the Bird Lady. He knew what he was doing, but I didn't feel like there was much he had to share that was a special "extra." In general, I'd give it a 4.5.

Overall Value
Low-to-moderately priced, Champoeg State Park is a neat, self-contained park filled with a number of activities. However, with powerlines visible in parts of the park, homes, and the manicured look, the park sometimes feels less outdoors and more vacationy. I feel like the value here is a 4.

Amenities
Each site comes with mobile tables and firepits with water and sink disposal accessible. Interestingly enough, this park still offers dumpsters and recycling centers throughout the park rather than a central compactor. Hosts sell firewood and ice and the park also offers visitor parking. As far as sites go, Champoeg offers traditional tent sites, hook-ups with and without electricity, yurts, small cabins, and three group sites. The day use area is large with many gathering areas as well as individual picnic areas. It has disc golf, trails, and horseshoes. Wildlife is abundant at this park with gophers, moles, and/or voles making their presence known through little mounds here and there. There are many songbirds as well as nesting osprey. Garter snakes, coyotes, deer, squirrels, and other common northwest animals are all potential sightings here.

Miscellaneous Notes
As I was group camping, I did not pay. I believe the ranger booth accepted at least cards and cash, with checks a possibility as well. I noticed a few mosquitoes and no-see-ums around twilight, so during the buggy times of year, I'd be sure to bring repellent. Pit toilets, flush toilets, and showers were all available. In fact, one of the central bathrooms has been newly remodeled or rebuilt; I'm not clear which. I admit, I did not specifically check cell reception, but I know it was fine at the day use area and group site. With the proximity of the park to freeways, I feel fairly confident in saying you'd likely get reception throughout the park. Check out their website as they actually have a short video showing highlights of the campsites and day use areas.

How hard is it to find?
It's very easy; just off the freeway. Hit I-5, get off at exit 278 (Donald/Aurora), turn right at Ehlen (signs for Donald), take a right at Case, and a left at the T which is Champoeg Road. Alternately, if I-5 traffic is bad, you can zip onto 219 and turn onto Champoeg Road that way.

Will you go back?
I'm kind of itching to actually try out the tent sites, so I think I will return. However, I'm more likely to head out to the park to wander around the day use area than to camp.

Conclusion
This campsite is distinct from many of the northwest Oregon sites you will see out there. It is a refreshing change of pace that seems built for a relaxing weekend. Quite frankly, with all the overnight options and the flowery, mixed-forest style of beauty this campsite professes, I would suggest it as a great area for those new to camping. It is the sort of place you could bring a skeptical grandmother to win her over. If not for an overnighter, Champoeg State Park at an overall 4.4 is definitely worth a visit.

Olallie Lake

2009-06-21T21:15:00.001-07:00

I wanted to offer a heads-up about the Olallie Lake Campground, but I didn’t feel as though I could give it a proper “review.” Instead, it gets its own unique entry. The campground was closed all of summer 2008 and 2009 due to receiving over 30 feet of snow the previous winter. This precipitation damaged the historical building that houses the general store and generally made a mess of some of the trees and plant life surrounding the sites. Despite this, many people still camped and simply wound up paying no fees. Olallie Lake will hopefully be formally reopening August 2010.
In general, Olallie Lake is one of the more scenic areas I’ve visited. Bald eagles routinely perched atop snags looking to grab their next meal out of the lake, trees grew right to the edge of the lake, and mankind’s influence generally did not extend very far. A few hillsides worth of trees were dead due to fire and pine beetles, but otherwise the area was simply gorgeous.

I must admit, ashamed, that Olallie Lake did end up defeating me. This was the first time I retreated from a camping trip due to discomfort – and it was my birthday weekend! The lake seems to generate its own unique weather. It was drizzly, gray, and windy for the trip. At one point, I looked up to see the clouds moving the opposite way as the wind hitting me. Despite having a tent with a fly all the way to the ground, being a relatively hearty camper, and going during the month of August, after one night, it was just too cold to stay. Others assure me its been pleasant for their trips, but it seems like the weather is a bit of a gamble. Every other person I have spoken with loves Olallie.

The drive in to Olallie Lake is long – at least four miles on a rough gravel road. Granted, any vehicle with normal clearance can make the trip, but be ready for a slow, bumpy ride that will make you wonder if you missed your turn. There is also no drinking water provided here, so be prepared to haul or purify your own. It’s important to be aware there has been snow as late as July.

For years, the campground was run by a private family who kept a portion of the site fees. Apparently, having a historical building that needed repair was holding up the reopening of the lake and causing headaches for those involved. Dan and Katie, the new owners of Olallie Lake Resort, were kind enough to drop by and leave a comment. They hope to open by August of this year! Woo hoo! Thanks for the update! I'd encourage you to visit their website for all the latest.

If you’re willing to go out of your way for a gorgeous trips, visit Olallie Lake. However, be prepared for anything! And, if it comes down to it, you can always retreat back to the plethora of sites along the Clackamas River. Safety first!

Milo McIver State Park

2009-06-21T20:37:00.000-07:00

Overview
Milo McIver State Park sits along the Clackamas River on a huge piece of land. It boasts a campground and two day use areas. This was my first overnight trip, yet we made great use of several features of the park. I really enjoyed my visit to this park.

Activities
Milo McIver is the place to go when you want a lot of options and the ability to stay constantly entertained outside of your campsite. There are trails to hike, bike, and horse. Well-maintained trails meander through the trees, offering a sense of peace and a fairly cool place to be in toasty weather. The trails I have been on are great for beginning or intermediate hikers. There could be more challenging trips, but the ones I tested were pretty casual. If trails aren't cool enough for you, there is always the beautiful Clackamas River! This clean, cool river is a good place to dip your toes, fish, boat, or white-water raft. The day use areas even offer boat ramps. It pretty much offers post-card quality scenery.

The park also has 27 unique holes of disc golf. A 9 hole course and an 18 hole course start at separate day-use areas and wend their way through fields, stands of trees, and along the river. Lucky for me and my erratic throws, it wasn't dangerously close to the river. There is a hobby field with a runway for model airplanes that the deer also seem to be fond of frolicking in. Also, within the bounds of the park, is a salmon hatchery. You can see the thousands of alevins and battle-scarred adult salmon returning from previous years. Whether you're visiting McIver to camp or play for the day, all of this is available through a single day-use fee. The only disadvantage is that there is some serious distance between the campground and day use areas. Biking or driving is the most practical option - hoofing it is possible, but be prepared for quite the trot! Activities here are a 4.5.

Site Quality

This park offers a strong showing as far as sites go. There are only two loops in the park - one loop is populated by sites with hookups and the other with tent sites. In general, the sites were huge. However, there were a few randomly scattered sites that seemed to be a bit of a squeeze. Privacy was also impressive with a combination of tall trees and well-developed understory. Again, there were parts of the park (particularly in the hook-up sites) where the understory grew only a couple feet high. There is plenty of elbow room between most sites.

The tent sites offered a unique perspective on car camping. They were directly off a parking lot, so you could park very close to your site, but there was no actual concrete pad to pull your vehicle in to. Personally, I enjoyed the opportunity to have the convenience of a car within ten feet, but not have it sitting in the middle of my campsite. All the tent sites were roomie and boasted lots of the aforementioned undergrowth. Cedar trees and the rich smells of a healthy forest perfumed the site.

An outhouse was a short walk away, though be sure to close the lid to keep the smell down. Firepits and tables also complemented each site. Water spiggots were easily accessible. While the tent sites were separated from the others and you did not have the "RV fence" you find in some grounds, they were still close enough in proximity that the singing, laughing, and crying children from the hook-up sites was still audible in the tent sites.

Milo McIver also offered a group site as well as two horse camps. There were also hike in/bike in camps. With the variety and the careful planning, these near-to-perfect sites rank a 4.5.

Maintenance

Campground hosts and park rangers were both friendly and available. The rangers, in particular, had a strong and helpful presence within this park. I never managed to find any litter and bathrooms were clean and in working order. Fire pits appeared to be routinely scooped. The floor of the campsites had a good smattering of pine needles which may show lack of maintenance to some, but created a lovely soft camper's carpet for me. I never felt like they posed a fire hazard. The maintenance is a strong 5.

Overall Value

Milo McIver State Park is low to moderately priced in comparison with other parks. It boasts high-quality campsites and a plethora of fun activities. This really is a park which has something for everyone. I believe the value is a 5 on my scale.

Amenities

Picnic tables, flush toilets, showers, pit toilets, drinkable water, and fire pits are available, though you may have to travel to the hook-up loop to find some. Garbage and recycling are located centrally at the front of the park. The day use area contains disc golf, a whitewater raftable river, a salmon hatchery, a hobby field, and several trails accessible to hikers, bikers, and/or horse riders. Hosts sold firewood and the park teemed with wildlife. There was enough parking throughout the area and plenty to discover!

Miscellaneous Notes

Unfortunately, I'm writing this review terribly late, but I believe check, cash, or card were all viable payment options. Cell phone reception was good all over the park. At the time I went, the insects were not bad. The river moves rapidly, so it doesn't lend itself to mosquitos, but being a moist forest, I'm sure during peak times there is no immunity from the mosquito plague. The disc golf course, in my opinion, is one of the most entertaining I've played. It can be a bit tricky to navigate between holes your first time, but there is great variety in the way the holes play.

How hard is it to find?

Take I-5 to Mollala/Oregon City. Follow the signs to Redland Road. Take Redland until it Ts at Springwater and turn right. Milo McIver is a mile down on the left. You won't see any signs for the park until you're on Springwater, but it is an easy drive through plenty of country once you depart I-5.

Will you go back?

Absolutely. The park has the double-benefit of being close to home for me, providing some of my favorite activities, and being great camping in general. In fact, I have trips in August and September planned with family and Oregon State Park's Let's Go Camping! program, so I'll edit this post with any updates then!

Conclusion

This park is perhaps not the perfect place to bring a first-time, reluctant camper, but any other stratification of camper should find something they will enjoy. The privacy yet activity makes this a wonderful destination whether you're camping with a sweetie or taking the whole family along. I highly recommend checking out Milo McIver State Park, at an overall 4.8, and am happy to say it's likely to be a well-supported park for years to come.

"A Ray of Sunshine in the Gloom"

2009-02-16T14:22:00.000-08:00

While waiting in the dentist's office today(hooray for being insured!), I leafed through the newspaper. This article in The Oregonian caught my eye. It mentions that California and Idaho have put their public parks on the chopping block while Oregon's remain safe. It references a ballot measure passed in 1998 that designates 15% of net lottery profits go to the Parks and Natural Resource Fund. According to this article, the money is split evenly between salmon restoration, state parks, and heritage programs.

In my opinion, this is great news! Last spring break, I took a driving trip to San Diego to visit relatives and friends - my first vacation as an adult. Particularly in these economic times, that's not an option again in the short-term future and, therefore, 100% of my vacationing activities will be outdoor getaways - camping, hiking, backpacking, disc golf. Those free or next-to-free activities we have all come to love. Let's remember to support our parks with actions and words when dollars aren't possible and remember the availability of these wonders when that law expires in 2014!

Clean-Up Challenge

2008-05-26T18:05:00.000-07:00

Over Memorial Day Weekend, I went camping with a large group of people and one of them suggested going on a beach clean-up. In only about an hour, we had gathered four huge bags of trash and an enormous brick of styrofoam. I also learned that our state parks run off of lottery money, fees, and any donations they may recieve. There is no steady income from taxpayers. I'm amazed at what Oregon State Parks manages to provide with such limited resources.

Therefore, I am issuing a challenge and making a personal commitment. Each time you go camp, hike, or otherwise enjoy a park, make an effort pick up trash at some point on your trip. It saves rangers and hosts time, creates a more consistantly beautiful and environmentally sound experience, and gives us a sense of ownership for the places we love! I'll be looking for little ways to make our parks a little nicer. Will you join me?

Cape Lookout State Park

2008-05-26T17:47:00.000-07:00

Overview
Cape Lookout State Park is a fully loaded day use and overnight park on the Oregon Coast, just southwest of Tillamook. My occasion for visiting was an annual family reunion camping trip over Memorial Day Weekend. Accordingly, the park was packed but fared well under the deluge of humanity. I consistantly enjoy my visits to Cape Lookout.

Activities
What you expect from a coastal park is pretty much what Cape Lookout delivers. Lots of beach and a few hiking trails were the traditional activities offered. The trails were footpaths only, with an easy, moderate, and tough trail. They had a short, but informative loop close to the campground. I'd highly recommend this one for those of you with kiddos or anyone who's interested to see all the fascinating things trees can do over time. The only other trail in the immediate park goes from the day use area to the trailhead to a viewpoint. The stretch from the day use area to the trailhead is pretty grueling, so if you're not up for a workout, just drive to the trailhead. The last half is manageable and the viewpoint is worth every step.

The beach is an interesting story. On the surface, it's what you expect from an Oregon beach - typically chilly, windy, and sandy. However, the history (and future) of the park is much more interesting. Due to a combination of natural erosion and human activity, there is much more beach around low tide. At points during high tide, a great deal of the beach disappears entirely, so definitely check the tide charts before departing on your sandy excursion. Cape Lookout offers a number of activities, though few in great variety. Overall, I give the activities a 3.5.

Site Quality
This is where the park definitely shines. If you like to spend time hanging around your campsite, this is a place for you. Almost all of the traditional/hook-up sites have lots of privacy provided by tall native plants such as salal. Tables and firepits were in each, with water and restrooms close. In a few sites, it seemed as though large tents were a bit of a squeeze, but almost all sites were very spacious. All the roads were paved and well maintained, though I wouldn't recommend rollerblades due to gravel.

The group sites were fairly open and close to the road, but there was a plethora of space for tents and living. Group sites came with fire pits and stand-up grills, though the bars are rusty and too large to use for anything short of a small animal. I recommend bringing your own grates for the top. Flush toilets and showers are a bit of a walk from here. The group sites also have a great view of the ocean.

Group Site B's "Kitchen"

Group Site B's "Bedroom"

The hike-in/bike-in camps definitely felt like they were in a coastal forest, though there wasn't all the tall shrubbery separating each site. Some were close together, but they all had tables, firepits, and a place to put a small tent. Outhouses and water were close by. It's an easy walk from the day use area and all features of the park are accessible. The site quality is a resounding 5.

Maintenance
I never had any direct interaction with the hosts, though I did see them cruising around frequently in their golf cart. Park rangers were both accessible and friendly. Everything was in good working order. There was some litter in public places, but I would not categorize it as a large problem. Overall, maintenance scores at a 4.5.

Overall Value
Cape Lookout State Park is moderately priced compared to other state campgrounds. You're likely to love your site and enjoy the activities it has to offer, particularly on your first trip out. If you like to see something new each time you camp, this park may not bear many repeat trips. Considering the park offers a little something for everyone, the value is a 4.5.

Amenities
Picnic tables, flush toilets, showers, pit toilets, drinkable water, and fire pits are available in various locations throughout the park. Rental cabins and yurts are also available. Garbage is only available across from the check-in booth as a compactor. I didn't notice any recycling facilities. I'm wondering if Oregon State Parks are simply going to a single, centrally located trash facility to avoid the overflowing dumpster problem. I'll report back if I hear anything definite. The park features a day use area with convenient access to trails, restrooms, picnic tables, and a covered shelter if it's not reserved. There's also a meeting hall with a stove, heat, and lights available to rent. Sufficient parking was available at the day use area. This lot also acts as the overnight overflow lot. Firewood was available from the hosts.

Miscellaneous Notes
As I went as part of a group, I didn't have a hand in the payment, but I will post more details here within a week or so on payment options. Cell reception was clearly quite good, as some of the campers in my party communicated through text messaging. I noticed a few bugs and a few places where standing water was present in the park. Conditions are ripe for bad late season bugs, but the ocean breezes may be discouraging.

Since it's beginning, geology has had a huge effect on Cape Lookout. The campground has changed and matured around the ocean. Especially after the hard storms of last winter, their attempts to combat erosion with a Dune Restoration Project are failing. The campground shifts every 5-10 years. In fact, the park rangers think that as early as next season, the entire A Loop may washed away.

How hard is it to find?
Head to Tillamook and follow the signs. As long as you trust them, it's quite easy to find. There are a lot of turns and, at one point, it looks like you're going through someone's neighborhood, but the signs to Cape Lookout State Park really are accurate and visible. Keep the faith!

Will you go back?
Considering it's become a Memorial Day tradition, yes! Beyond that, though, I will return. Camping along the coast is always a good choice on those miserably hot weekends.

Conclusion
Cape Lookout really is a gem. Check out this park before it's gone. Considering an always uncertain monetary future, it's possible that the ocean may consume this park within the next 15-20 years. It's also possible they'll continue developing loops backward. While the campsites are perhaps not as primitive as I prefer, it is a very enjoyable experience worth a 4.4. This is the perfect place for your reluctant camper - tents, RVs, yurts, and cabins are all viable option with the beach right there to tempt them. Enjoy this site, and remember, the delicious Tillamook Cheese Factory is on your way out, so don't forget to stop for some ice cream!

Stub Stewart State Park

2008-05-07T21:46:00.000-07:00

Overview
Last summer, I heard a lot of hype about L.L. Stub Stewart State Park being the "outdoor playground in your backyard" or some similar business. Consequently, I arrived on the weekend of May 3-4, 2008 with high hopes and great expectations. Overall, I was disappointed with the park, though it did have its positive points. (As a side note, this is my first review and I may change the format. I'd appreciate any feedback on how to make this more helpful for you or on what was particularly meaningful. I realize there are endless factor to consider when choosing a campsite and I may have missed something!)

Activities
Versatility in activities seemed to be the park's main selling point. It boasts close to 15 miles of trails, of which almost all are open to hiking, biking, and horseback riding. This has its advantages and disadvantages. Bikes, and moreover horses, tend to be harder on trails. Horses, or organic ATVs as I affectionately call them, tend to make for muddier trails in the rainy season and dusty trails in the spring.

This was definitely the case here. A three and a half mile bike ride ended up turning into what felt like 10 miles. Between rough surfaces, mud holes, and some fairly steep slopes, a trip on a wheeled apparatus can become quite a challenge. However, there were several gorgeous views of nature as a reward for the efforts. In reality, unless you're a rather experienced mountain biker, I'd recommend sticking to foot power on these trails. Considering the balance between promised usability, variety, and scenic potential, I rate the activities as a 3.

Site Quality
Personally, I am a big proponent of national and state parks. I appreciate all the hard work that goes in to creating, maintaining, and funding them so they are affordable and accessible to the general public. I loathe to criticise them and it's therefore somewhat difficult for me to write this section, as I don't have much that's positive to say in this section. At a glance, the full sites and walk-in tent sites appear to be little gravel rectangles in a swath of unforested, unshrubbed meadow. The potential of having some degree of privacy at a camp site is a large consideration for me and there was no hope in any site. Tiny starts of ferns and Oregon grapes dot the "great plains" perhaps to someday offer definition for individual sites, but serve more as an annoyance at this point. Especially in the walk-in sites, it's hard to find a place to pitch a tent that's not on gravel, next to the fire pit, or on top of one of these starts. There were only two of twelve walk-ins that offered this possibility. There was definitely no hope of finding flat ground, so plan on bringing an air mattress or waking up stiff. Following the current trend in suburban building, the camp sites were snuggled right next to one another, giving neighbors very little breathing room. On the plus side, the walk-in sites were all close to parking, so it was no great hardship to transport gear to the site. There also seemed to be ample parking for whatever you choose to drive. Happily, water and restrooms were easily accessible from any given site. In my mind, the full and walk-in sites were like fraternal twins, except one was born slightly larger and with hookups.

Two walk-in sites with typical scenery for any given site

The hike-in tent sites deserve their own section. They, above any of the other site designs, boggle my mind. There is about a quarter of a mile gravelled hike in with a decent hill to scale. Typically, this is a good distance to get yourself away from vehicles and other sounds. However, no wheelbarrows or other handy methods of gear transportation are provided, so plan on bringing your own or camping very light, as lugging a typical setup would be grueling for your average camper. The sites are also considered primitive, having no individual fire ring and simply having brush cleared to bare dirt. Most of the sites did have a fair amount of distance between each other as well as ample underbrush. Each site had a picnic table, but a fair number of sites only had room to pitch a one-man backpacking tent next to the table.

A pair of pit toilets and two communal fire rings were available, but there was no water access. While I enjoy the idea of sitting around a fire and getting to know your fellow campers, I'm not sure if the occupants of 23 sites could comfortably cluster around them on a cold night. More than anything else, the issue of distance versus available resources drives me crazy. The sites would be very nice if you were backpacking, but who "backpacks" for only one-fourth a mile, stretches, and thinks, "What a nice place to set up camp?" Ultimately, the distance is too short for backpackers and too far for car campers. Between, in my opinion, utterly disappointing hike-in sites and traditional sites that I would call "a place to sleep," I can only give the site quality a 2.

Maintenance
This was definitely the park's strong point. The roads were impressively smooth and the signs were all visible, though due to gravel I would recommend against rollerblades. Every site was manicured and I was at a loss to find even a single piece of garbage on the ground. The bathrooms were extremely clean and didn't even have a faint suggestion of a smell. Even the fire pits were recently scooped out. The hosts were outstandingly friendly and helpful. I cannot say enough nice things about them. I believe the park has earned a 5 in this category.

Overall Value
Stub Stewart is actually at the high end of the price range as far as Oregon State Parks are concerned. Operating on the assumption that the average user is a resident of the Portland-Metropolitan area, it is highly convenient. However, it's not a park I would feel comfortable recommending to a friend for a heartily enjoyable night's stay. The trails are certainly enjoyable as hikes, but are unnecessarily challenging for casual bikers. The value of an overnight stay here is a 2.

Amenities
Picnic tables are available at all sites. Flush toilets, drinkable water, and fire pits are available at the walk-in and traditional sites. Garbage and expansive recycling is only available across from the visitor's center. The park features a day use(shown below) area with convenient access to trails, restrooms, and picnic tables. There was no hope of having a shaded table, though. The tables are spaced across a grassy area. Parking was ample at the visitors center and camp sites, though there seemed to be limited parking for the day use area. The park also features cabins and a horse camp.

Miscellaneous Notes
Checks, credit cards, and cash were all accepted forms of payment. I really didn't check thoroughly, but at a glance, I didn't notice any cell phone reception. (If someone notices differently, please let me know!) There was no sign of pesky insects, though it is early May. The camping areas seemed clear of standing water, though, so I would guess the bugs won't be too bad here.

How hard is it to find?
The park is clearly signed, right off of highway 47. It's really hard to miss.

Will you go back?
For day hikes, absolutely. It is close to home and featured varying terrain(deciduous forests, mixed forests, coniferous forests, and marshland). However, I don't plan on going back to camp or to bike.

Conclusion
I am truly glad the state decided to reclaim these once disintegrating logging roads and morph them into a fun getaway near Portland. Especially if you hold loggers in contempt, the information about Mr. Stewart, the park's namesake, at the visitor's center is worth a healthy read. However, I have the distinct impression someone got a good idea for a state park, cleared out the space for campgrounds, then asked the question, "So how do we want to design this?" As is the case with many natural areas, with time there is room for improvement. I have heard speculation that as the foliage in the park grows, it will be fantastic in 5 to 10 years. I'm not quite that optimistic unless directed, specific effort is put into establishing a bit more of a forested, private campground. Considering this, my current rating is 3. Stub Stewart is a fun place to go for a day hike and I am looking forward to seeing it grow and mature over the years.

Rating Overview

2008-05-07T21:43:00.000-07:00

This is my first blog and my first attempt at systematically rating anything. I am presenting my explanation for various categories and what ratings mean to me. Please keep in mind this is completely subjective and we may have a different set of values surrounding camping. I will always try to elaborate on my reasons, so hunt down the pertinent information if the rating scale doesn't resound with you. This may be revised and I always welcome reader feedback!

What exactly are you rating?
I am a tent camper, through and through. I will evaluate sites with tents in mind, though I will specify whether it is "car camping" or backpacking. I like to hike and I'm a beginning mountain biker, therefore I will look at surrounding activities through this lens. I want my sites to be as visually stunning and natural as possible, with a reasonable degree of privacy. I will not rate based on camping in an RV, trailer, or cabin. I also know nothing about horses, so I can't tell you if it's a good idea to take them on a trail, only if they are allowed or not. I have tried my best to rate solely on fairly universally smiled-upon features by tent campers. For this reason, some details go in the amenities section. (For example, I would rather camp with pit toilets and no showers, but I know this isn't a view shared widely.)

Ratings and what they mean
1 - No attempt made or miserable failure
2 - Some amount of effort was put forth, but largely lacking
3 - Adequate, but nothing spectacular
4 - Very good, effort was made and paid off admirably
5 - Unrivaled, perfect or nearly so

Activities
Any diversion the park itself provides, from biking to swimming to hiking to canoeing. I may mention nearby activities, but this won't affect the rating. The factors I will keep in mind while rating will be diversity and upkeep. Basically, what is present and what is the quality? If the campsite has a dock to fish off, but the water is polluted, it's not really accessible.

Site Quality
A myriad of factors goes into consideration for this category. I'll be thinking about things like the size of the sites, ease of finding a flat place to put up a tent, privacy, enjoyable features (shade, rivers, etc.), and the accessibility of resources. Resources, especially, will be based on what is realistically expected. I'm not going to knock a backpacking site for not having running water. However, a traditional tent site should have this, even if it is only provided through a pump.

Maintenance
The park's relative cleanliness is the biggest factor. I don't like litter, but I'm understanding if a pit toilet doesn't smell exactly like a spring day. I'll also let you know if there seems to be an unreasonable amount of repairs needed. Finally, I consider the availability and friendliness of camp hosts (when applicable) in this category, as they are a camper's maintenance resource.

Overall Value
I'll consider the relative cost of other state parks or privately owned parks and weigh it against my impression of the park. This category is both a good quick look at the park, but also serves to balance out the rating.

Amenities
I will list the exact nature of facilities available, yet weren't applicable to a rating. Pit versus flush toilets, showers, water. Garbage and recycling convenience will be here as well as more information on day use areas, visitor's centers, and parking.

Miscellaneous Notes
Random things I think are worth noting but don't fit anywhere else go here. This includes, but is not limited to, payment methods, bugs, and cell phone reception. A quick disclaimer on the cell reception. I grew up before everyone had cell phones and camping was a time you stepped away from civilization and just returned to countless messages. I still adhere to this. Honestly, camping is my escape. For the sake of the information in this blog, I'll actually carry it around and turn it on from time to time just to check, but don't expect a thorough coverage map and painstakingly accurate information here.

Conclusion
I'll try to present fun facts and wrap up some of the stronger impressions here. I'm a chronic optimist, so don't be surprised if each posts ends with a positive or hopeful note.