L.L. Stub Stewart

L.L. Stub Stewart State Park is Oregon's largest state park in the Portland metro area, encompassing over 1,800 acres of forest, trails, and recreational facilities in the northern Coast Range. Located near the community of Buxton, the park offers extensive camping, hiking, and mountain biking opportunities within easy reach of Portland. Named after L.L. Stub Stewart, a timber industry executive and conservationist, the park protects second-growth forests while providing diverse recreation experiences. The park features an extensive trail system, multiple campgrounds, cabins, and a popular disc golf course, making it a destination for both day trips and overnight stays.

The park supports diverse wildlife typical of Coast Range forests including Roosevelt elk, black-tailed deer, black bears, cougars, bobcats, and coyotes. Smaller mammals include Douglas squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons, opossums, and various bat species. Bird diversity is high with pileated woodpeckers, varied thrushes, Steller's jays, ravens, and numerous migratory songbirds. Owls including great horned owls and western screech-owls hunt at night. Amphibians such as Pacific tree frogs, red-legged frogs, and rough-skinned newts inhabit wetlands and streams. The recovering forest provides increasing habitat complexity as it matures.

Vegetation consists primarily of second-growth Douglas-fir forest with western hemlock, western red cedar, and red alder. The understory features vine maple, bigleaf maple, sword fern, Oregon grape, salal, and various berry-producing shrubs including salmonberry and thimbleberry. Riparian areas along streams support willows and alders with lush fern communities. Spring wildflowers carpet forest openings with trilliums, bleeding hearts, and woodland violets. The forest is recovering from historical logging, with diverse age classes and structural development creating varied habitat conditions. Invasive species including English ivy and Himalayan blackberry are managed to protect native plant communities.

The park is situated in the northern Oregon Coast Range, underlain by Tertiary volcanic and sedimentary rocks formed approximately 35-50 million years ago. The bedrock consists primarily of basalt flows and marine sedimentary formations that were uplifted and folded during mountain building. The rolling topography reflects millions of years of weathering and erosion. Streams have carved valleys through the resistant volcanic rocks, creating the varied terrain. Soils developed from weathered volcanic materials support productive forest growth. Landslides are common in the region during periods of heavy rainfall when soils become saturated.

The park experiences a maritime climate with mild, wet winters and warm, relatively dry summers. Annual precipitation averages 60-80 inches, falling predominantly between October and April. Winter temperatures typically range from 35-50°F, with snow occurring occasionally but rarely accumulating at this relatively low elevation. Summer temperatures average 65-80°F, with warm, dry conditions from July through September. Fog is common during summer mornings when marine air penetrates inland. The mild climate allows year-round recreation, though trails can be muddy during the wet season.

The Coast Range was traditionally utilized by various Native peoples including the Atfalati band of the Kalapuya who hunted, fished, and gathered throughout the forested landscape. Euro-American settlement brought extensive logging beginning in the mid-to-late 1800s, with timber harvest becoming the dominant land use. The area was heavily logged multiple times, with most old-growth forests removed by the mid-20th century. Logging roads provided access throughout the watershed. The land was eventually identified for park development to provide recreation opportunities for the growing Portland metropolitan area. The park's establishment represented a transition from extractive use to recreation and conservation.

L.L. Stub Stewart State Park opened in 2007 after years of planning and development, becoming Oregon's first new full-service state park in decades. The park was named after Lester L. "Stub" Stewart, a prominent timber industry figure and conservationist who advocated for forest stewardship and public recreation access. The park was designed from the outset to be a premier recreation destination for the Portland metro area, with extensive trail systems for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Development included modern campgrounds with RV and tent sites, cabins, yurts, restrooms, and day-use facilities. The park has become one of Oregon's most popular state parks for both overnight and day-use recreation.

The park features over 15 miles of hiking trails ranging from easy nature walks to longer forest explorations. An extensive mountain biking trail system includes beginner-friendly loops and challenging technical terrain, making it a regional mountain biking destination. The 18-basket disc golf course is one of Oregon's premier courses, attracting players from across the region. Equestrian trails accommodate horseback riding with dedicated parking and facilities. Interpretive programs and junior ranger activities engage families in nature education. The park's proximity to Portland makes it ideal for quick getaways and weekend camping trips.

The park offers multiple campgrounds with over 200 sites including RV hookups, tent sites, and group camps. Alternative accommodations include deluxe cabins and yurts equipped with electricity, heat, and furniture. Modern restrooms with showers serve the camping areas. Day-use facilities include picnic areas, picnic shelters available for reservation, and ample parking. The park is located approximately 35 miles west of Portland via Highway 26, providing easy access from the metro area. The visitor center provides park information, maps, and program details. All major facilities are designed to be accessible year-round with full services during peak season.

Management balances intensive recreation use with forest ecosystem protection and restoration. Invasive species control programs target English ivy, Himalayan blackberry, and other non-native plants that threaten native communities. The recovering second-growth forest is managed to encourage structural diversity and habitat complexity over time. Stream protection measures maintain water quality and riparian habitat for native fish and amphibians. Education programs teach visitors about Coast Range ecology, sustainable recreation practices, and leave-no-trace principles. The park serves as a demonstration of how former timber lands can transition to recreation and conservation uses while continuing to provide ecosystem services. Trail design and maintenance minimize erosion and protect sensitive areas.