Oregon is home to fantastic state parks. While Crater Lake National Park may get most of the attention, don’t forget about the outdoor activities at the smaller local parks. Whether you like to kayak, horseback ride, play disc golf, or hike, Milo McIver State Park has plenty to do. Let’s look closer at this park so you can plan your trip the next time you’re in the Beaver State!
Located near Portland, Oregon, along the Clackamas River, Milo McIver State Park is about 20 minutes east of I-205. Mt. Hood Village is about 35 minutes on the other side of the state park, and Salem is a little over an hour southwest. The Washington-Oregon border at the Columbia River is about 45 minutes northwest.
Pro Tip: Check out if you Can Just Camp Anywhere in Oregon before making a trip to the Beaver State!
Overnight camping is permitted at Milo McIver State Park. Residents pay $29/night, while non-residents pay 25% more. Twenty of the 44 electrical sites are available year-round. There are also nine tent sites. Guests can access hot showers, flush toilets, and a dump station.
The park campground accepts reservations up to six months in advance. When you arrive at the park entrance, follow the main road right to loop around to the campground on the eastern side of the state park. The campground is near the Rivermill Reservoir and Estacada Lake boat ramp.
Milo McIver State Park is well known for its water adventures. Visitors enjoy fishing, rafting, canoeing, and kayaking. If you prefer to stay dry, there are plenty of land opportunities to hike, bike, ride horses, or play disc golf. The day-use area has picnic tables, open meadows with shady trees, and restrooms.
Estacada Lake has a boat ramp and fishing dock. It’s an ideal place to cast a line and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Anglers can also fish the Clackamas River, which has steelhead and Chinook runs.
The Clackamas Fish Hatchery allows self-guided tours, and a staff member is available to explain the life cycle of steelhead and Chinook salmon. The hatchery raises and releases more than a million Chinook salmon each year.
If you’d like to hit the river in a raft, kayak, canoe, or paddleboard, bring your own or rent one from Clackamas River Outfitters at Estacada Lake. Book a guided tour along the Clackamas River or schedule a one-on-one lesson.
For a half-day excursion, put in at the Riverside upper launch and paddle to the Riverbend lower launch. Whether a novice or experienced paddler, you’ll enjoy the water recreation at this park.
Hiking trails run throughout 14 miles of the park. The Riverbend Trail follows the Clackamas River and connects to the Maple Ridge Trail on the park’s west side. The Rivermill Trail and Estacada Lake Trail circle the east side and are closest to the campground. If you have a pet, an off-leash area near the park office can be accessed via the Rivermill Trail. There’s also a parking lot nearby.
The horseback riding trails are on the east side of the park. The Rivermill Trail and Estacada Lake Trail are open to horses and hikers. The equestrian staging area and horse arena are east of the park office. The bat barn is also located here, where you might see the Townsend’s big-eared bat, a protected species in Oregon.
Disc golf is one of the main attractions of this park. The Riverbend Course is a world-class, 27-hole disc golf course. Bring your own discs or rent/buy one from the park office.
The park is also home to the Beaver State Fling, a Professional Disc Golf Association tournament. But whether you’re an experienced player or just starting, you’ll enjoy what this course offers.
A day-use parking permit is required to enjoy the activities at the State Park. You can pay $5 onsite per day or $30 for an annual site online. Overnight campers don’t have to pay the day-use fee. Your camping receipt will get you in and out of the park.
The Milo McIver State Park campground is pet-friendly. The off-leash area near the park office is a large, open, grassy space with shady trees and a water area. It’s not fenced, so you’ll want to keep an eye on your furry friend. But the park is a great place to bring your pets!
This state park is an ideal place to escape the bustling city of Portland. If you’re touring around this area, plan to stay a few nights or take a day trip to the park. Depending on traffic, it’s only about 40-45 minutes from the city. Bring your fishing rod, paddleboard, or hiking boots and enjoy a few hours in nature.
You can easily spend a day at the Mt Hood Skibowl, which is about 50 minutes away. Even Tillamook is less than two hours from the state park. There are so many things to do around the area that the Milo McIver State Park campground would make a perfect home base.
What will you do when you visit Milo McIver State Park?
