91. Battle Ground Lake State Park
City: Portland, OR
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (888) 226-7688 (reservations)
Description: One of the biggest attractions in southwest Washington, Battle Ground Lake State Park tempts recreators from all over the area who are drawn by 280 acres of swimming, fishing, horseback riding, boating, and hiking as well as 50 campsites. The park is 21 miles northeast of Vancouver; it has a splendid lake in the center of an extinct volcano. The park is open from 6:30 a.m. until dusk from Apr to Sept and from 8 a.m. until dusk the remainder of the year. Summer camping is a breeze with the available kitchen shelters and showers—but remember, this park fills up fast. Kitchens with electricity may also be rented for large groups (20 to 150 people); fees depend on the number of people.
92. Champoeg State Park
City: Portland, OR
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (503) 678-1251, ext. 221
Description: Pronounced “sham-POO-ey,” Champoeg State Park is a place where Portlanders flock for the concerts and other events in the pretty amphitheater, but the park has even more to offer. First, there are the trails that cross the 615 acres; these curl through woods, meadows, and wetlands and are wonderful for bicycling or hiking. Then there’s the historical interest: The park is on the grounds of the first settlers’ government, and two museums and many educational programs and tours help to bring that early history alive. The park is regularly visited by school buses full of children eager to learn what life was like during pioneer days. There is a $5 daily day-use fee, but a $30 annual permit grants access to all day-use areas in state parks across Oregon.
93. Milo Mciver State Park
City: Portland, OR
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (503) 630-7150
Description: Milo McIver State Park is a quiet park less than an hour’s drive from downtown—the perfect place to go camping after work. The Clackamas River shoots through here, so you can use the park as home base for kayaking or rafting days. The park also rents horses; its trails and fields are fine country to explore this way. Another attraction is the disc golf course (18 holes). In the summer a variety of recreational and educational programs are offered, in addition to the sweet, simple pleasures of camping: The park has more than 50 sites of various levels of sophistication. Like many other state parks in Oregon, a $5 daily day-use fee is required (unless you want to spring for the annual pass at $30); overnight camping fees depend on the site.
City: Portland, OR
Category: Parks & Recreation