A hideout indeed! Google maps and pics do not properly show the enormity of this place. I came…read morehere a couple of months ago for disc golf, but there was way more to be discovered here then I had thought. Here's a little bit about Horning's Hideout: = Just Getting Here = Be aware that once you drive off the main road, you'll see the signs to the hideout, but it's all gravel and tall trees from there. From the main sign, the drive heads downward, winding through the forest, down the canyon. Similar to that of driving to Pittock Mansion, only unpaved and narrower turns. So please proceed with caution. Once at the bottom, it opens up to a pleasant little valley. = Parking and Fee = Past the barn, to your right is the parking area. It's an open field. Pay at the parking station, $5 per person. = Features & Activities = * For fishing, I had inquired at the office. Once you park, there is a house or an information office just above the parking station. The lady (or owner) was helpful as she explained to me the lay of the land. Again, this place was way larger than I had imagined. But back to fishing... There is a lake that gets stocked with trout. No fishing license required. Assuming due to this being private land. You do pay a catch/cleaning fee. They also have fly-fishing during the winter through spring season. More details on their website. I did notice they've got paddle boats as well. So, forget the stupid ipad, and keep the kids busy with fishing and paddle boating! * For disc golf, there are three huge courses. One, only being par 3's. Which to me was like a good hike, yet still challenging. A medium course that's par 3's and 4's through the canyon that's said to be scenic. I have yet to try it. And a championship course with par 5's; Difficult greens around trees, and a U-turn. Someday, but not any time soon! * As for the wedding venues, I can only imagine, but there are three venues to use depending on your wedding party size. Can you envision your wedding photos or even your reception being close to a pond, a lake, a creek, or even a waterfall, with trees all around? Yeah, that's this place! Oh yeah, and with peacocks too! * Camping is also allowed as well. Reservations required of course. * And as you can see with the yelp photos, they occasionally have concerts which I though was really cool. Well, that just about sums it up, not sure what else to say. It's just a secluded place worth checking out. Especially if you need to escape some city life.

An Absolutely Beautiful place for a wedding. My son and daughter in law chose the lakeside venue…read more We were blessed with a wonderful day weather wise. It had forecasted to rain but luckily it held off until the following day. It would have been a totally different event had it rained. I do wish there was a way of getting around having to walk in gravel but unless they pave it there is no getting around that. So guests were told ahead of time to be aware of that. Different chairs were rented rather than the plastic ones that are provided which was a nice thing. Extra hanging lights were rented and hung up by the brides father. It made a big difference and I think the venue should consider investing in adding them permanently.

The "walk-in" campground is a legit WALK-IN campground. It's far enough away that I suggest…read morecarrying in as much as you can, grab the wheelbarrows available (appreciated these) and start your trek. We arrived kind of late and didn't realize how far in it really was. It's pretty secluded and quiet which is nice, the fire pits are in areas shared with other campsites, great way to meet other people, but there is not individual pits. There was an outhouse next to us, it was kept really clean and park rangers went through consistently which was also nice. There are lots of paths to hike and other parts of the campground near by. Really loved the location and how close it is to Portland. Very nice area, would love to try the actual campground next time!

Went deep into the park to see the northern lights without city light disruption. It was peaceful,…read morequiet, and a crystal clear night to see stars. We think we saw some Aurora colors. Not sure though. Still a beautiful experience!

Forest Grove, Oregon "A place where families and business…read morethrive" We took a drive out to Forest Grove on Superbowl Sunday, before the big game. The drive to Forest Grove felt long from Portland, but it was a nice drive. The reason was to visit Kama'aina Comfort foods, we got our take out from the food truck and had to find a place to enjoy our lunch. My daughter searched for a park on her phone and we happen to be nearby Joseph Gale Park. Who is Joseph Gale? He was an explorer, fur trapper and member of Oregon's Provisional Government Executive Committee (1843-44) He was Commander in Chief of the Oregon Territory Milita and also championed the rights of Native America. A small park in the Forest Grove Community, located right next to Joseph Gale Elementary school. We found street parking right in front of the park. Joseph Gale Park as I observed had a small playground with a few picnic benches. I noticed on this beautiful cool Sunday, 2 families utilizing the playground, a gentleman utilizing the picnic table reading a book, and my family enjoying our lunch on another picnic table. This park is small, very green and also clean. The Amenities at Joseph Gale Park includes: barbeques baseball fields, picnic tables playground equipment restrooms, softball fields Parks and Recreation Director: Tom Gamble Parks Supervisor: Matt Baum Phone: 503.992-3237 Overall, We enjoyed our afternoon visit here at Joseph Gale Park and can't wait to be back again at this park and neighborhood!!

We drove an hour to visit Hidden Creek West Park in Hillsboro, and it was absolutely worth the…read moretrip! This park is a total gem--thoughtfully designed, beautifully shaded, and perfect for families. There are plenty of swings and a great variety of play equipment to keep kids engaged for hours. One of the things I appreciated most was the visibility--there's seating thoughtfully placed all around the park, so no matter where your child is playing, you can easily keep an eye on them. There's even a grassy area under the trees where you can lay out a blanket and relax. Even on a hot day, the metal slides stayed cool thanks to the shade, which is a rare and welcome surprise! The kids there were all friendly, and the parents seemed attentive and involved, creating a really positive, safe vibe. My kids had a blast and would've stayed much longer if I hadn't forgotten snacks--lesson learned! We'll definitely be back, this time with a picnic and more time to explore.

First of all the park is huge and the activities available for the kids are wonderful. Multiple…read moreswings, rotating ball, and great big climbing structure with slides and rock climbing wall. There is a fountain for the summer time and outdoor picnicking and grilling. Nice little trail to walk around. Across the street is 3 futbol piches and more park. The community center features indoor courts for basketball, badminton, track, and a gym. Staff is sorry nice and welcoming and the place is clean and inviting.

Celebrating 12 years of f-cking, s-cking, and occasionally eating Turducken (very rarely)…read more My girlfriend looks thrilled about it eh? We went to the Meating Place Cafe to get some food (I recommend the Turkey Cranberry sandwich with Mama Lil's Peppers) and then headed to Henry Hagg Lake (I also recommend) to eat, hike, and swim.

It's a decent sized lake with great views. There's ample parking and easy access to view the lake…read more Saw a bunch of people boating and fishing in it. Really worth going on a clear day and spending time in the sun laying down in the green grass. There's also a restroom nearby so that's a plus.

This review is day use only, and trail hiking…read more This is an excellent spot to jump on several trails that circle the area. Today I did an 8 mile loop that took me south for a bit then back around. My goal was to stay on the Storey Burn Loop Trail, and I mostly did. It turned into Gale Creek Trail and there were many places where I could have diverted. Watch your map or it will have you darting across highway 6 - don't do it! Although, University Falls is over there and its gorgeous. On the east side there are lots of dirt bikes and hand cannons. The west side is blissfully free of that noise. Now you know. It was super muddy today, suck you out of your boots muddy. The water is flowing with all the rain we've had, and the rain forest is lush with growth. Enjoy!

I haven't stayed here as a camper, but I've come often for the Day Use Area and to go hiking on the…read morenearby trails around the campground. The facilities are great. Clean, well-kept, and clearly marked. The campsites aren't right on top of each other which is nice! Definitely room to spread out and have a little privacy. The river runs through and it is beautiful! It's a fantastic place to just hang out. Bring the dog and a beer and you're golden! There are a few moderate to difficult hikes that run from the trailhead at the entrance of the campground, so there's always something to do and see! There are multiple points where you can access the river, so you don't have a bottleneck on one trail. You also won't have an issue of people trying to walk through your campsite for river access. Hoping to actually camp here soon, and I'll update my review. But at least for day use I can say it's fab!

Home is where the heart is. This area was my stomping…read more grounds for many moons! I use to go to Ecola state park, regularly growing up. Go on hikes,look for rocks shells,surf, get lost in nature, just sit in the grass and watch the ocean. Here is what you can do at Ecola State Park: Hiking & Walking: Explore trails ranging from easy strolls to challenging hikes through Sitka spruce forests. The Clatsop Loop Trail follows the path of1806 explorers, while the Oregon Coast Trail offers longer, scenic treks. Indian Beach: A popular, secluded cove for surfing, sunbathing, and tide-pooling to see sea stars and anemones. Viewpoints: Take in spectacular vistas from Ecola Point, including views of the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse ("Terrible Tilly") and distant Haystack Rock. Wildlife Viewing: The park is known for herds of elk grazing in the meadows, as well as sightings of bald eagles and migrating gray whales. Picnicking: Enjoy lunch at the picnic areas located on the grassy bluffs with ocean views. Photography: The dramatic, moody coastline provides excellent opportunities for photography. Oregon State

Forgive me for this late review. I should have written it long ago, but perhaps the trees and the…read moreocean were patient enough to wait. The drive through the forest is a passage into another world. Sitka spruce and hemlock lean over the road as if they are curious about you. At the end of the road the land opens and the Pacific announces itself in vast gray blues and greens, broken by sea stacks that rise like stubborn monuments. The trails are generous. Some wander to secret beaches, others climb to high points where the ocean and horizon meet like two old friends. Indian Beach is a gathering of tide pools, surfers, and quiet sand. Crescent Beach feels private, almost hidden, with the company of seals if you are lucky. Wildlife belongs here as much as people. Elk graze, eagles soar, and sometimes whales turn the water into theater. The park offers all of this without asking much in return, except that you take your time. Bring layers because the wind and mist move through the park like they own the place. Take your time. Sit, watch, breathe. This park gives you a rare combination of accessibility, natural beauty, and serenity. I regret not praising this place sooner. Ecola State Park holds the kind of beauty that makes you feel both small and fortunate. Five stars, without hesitation.

This is a great little park for the kids. It is not owned by the city, but rather a local group…read morethat makes it available for the kids of Banks. The high school soccer teams use it, the JV baseball team, and youth sports use it. Without this youth baseball would be a bit in trouble getting enough fields! They have a hall you can rent for events. They have a dirt track as well, which goes a bit late into the night. They have a small playground. They have a trap shooting area as well.

One of our family favorites. We like all the options for camping. It's clean. Kid friendly and the…read moreocean is close enough that even the little ones can make the journey. I found it gets the zoomies out of them and that makes for a quiet night, most times. Sometimes you have a small group of littles and they somehow are fueled by the laughter of other kids and seem to possess unlimited energy. We camp closest to the beach. There is no shade there. We bring our own but at night, the stars are like street lights. It's beautiful. The moon at times feels like you could grab it. The ocean will put you to sleep like a Dr.s prescription. It's amazing. All the bathrooms get used a lot because of the amount of people who stay here but they are constantly being cleaned. The showers are a little strange to me but good. Don't try to park an extra vehicle on your spot even if only unloading. The parking is terrible BUT way down the road, on the "Day Use Area" is plenty of parking. Ya, we all hate parking in the D.U.A. They hold cultural events in the D.U.A. We've seen some awesome Native American dancers. They looked super cool. The beach access is at either end of the dune. The beach is clean and the waves aren't that vicious. The shore is nice and shallow. Low tide brings a whole different look to the area with smooth rock surfaces and cobblestones. Of course the ocean is always awesome.

Truly a treasure, whether you are visiting for the day or to camp. Plenty of paid parking upon…read morearrival. There were park workers cleaning up the landscaping while we were there, as well as some volunteers. Almost completely direct access from the parking lot to the beach. There are many access points, restrooms onsite, and trails to walk. The beach itself is pretty spacious and so while there may be a lot of people, they aren't too close together. Many folks were using the bbq's to grill with charcoal and so it smelled additionally fantastic.

Bathe yourself in the forest, of springs and creeks and trails and the beach…read more It's an easy walk through old growth forest though there are also trails that involve more effort. Short Sand beach is a favorite spot for surfers. There are restrooms at the parking lot and seasonal restrooms as well.

such a great place to pull over and let the dog/kid blow off…read moresome steam! great trail network, obviously maintained. parking lot is clean, with a trash can and there's also bathrooms. i enjoyed the first hike we did down to sandy short beach so much that the next day i stopped again and walked the old growth trail which was short but stunning! if you're not from the pacific northwest and tou want to see why so many people flock here i. the summer, set aside an hour or two to explore in here. it's so pretty!