Metzler Meadows brings more camping near Estacada

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With summer just around the corner, Clackamas County is taking steps to add more spots for families and friends to gather and enjoy the outdoors.

Clackamas County’s Metzler Park, located five miles south of Estacada, draws campers from throughout the region due to its picnic areas, access to Clear Creek, hiking trails, and a disc golf course. Reservations for weekends fill up quickly each camping season, making it difficult for some to score a spot to enjoy the outdoors.

Recently, however, the county took aim to fix this. County officials from parks and tourism teamed up with the goal to expand camping opportunities at Metzler Park, creating a new campground called Metzler Meadows.

One pass does it all

Buy your all-in-one Clackamas County Parks annual parking pass now!

For one low price of $55, a parking pass gets you in to 15 county parks all year long, and includes use of four boat launch facilities along with two seasonal watercraft launch sites. You can save even more by purchasing a two-year pass for $90.

Your parking pass will allow you to take in the scenic beauty of Clackamas County parks where you can enjoy hiking, fishing, camping, boating, and more.

To buy a pass, go to County Parks webpage or call 503-742-4414.

“We’re really excited to bring these new campsites to people who want to spend time outdoors in Clackamas County,” said Tom Riggs, Parks and Forestry Manager. “Our parks have so many outdoor opportunities that people love, and we hope the expanded capacity and variety will bring more people out time and again.”

With the roadway and parking lot infrastructure already in place at the park, the county got started creating 15 more campsites. The county has purchased fire rings, site posts, and other materials for campsite construction, as well as some outside labor to help accomplish this project. The Parks division also received nearly $21,000 as an in-kind donation to purchase picnic tables.

The county will construct ten walkin sites and five parking campsites (primarily suited for people who live and travel in vans full time), along with a loop trail around the meadow with connector trails to the walk-in sites. Also at the park, crews will install a new water line from the south camp loop to the meadow access so campers can have easy access to a water spigot. Sanitation at sites will be supported by Porta-Potties and garbage cans or a dumpster in the meadow area. The new campground will be open seasonally, like the other campsites in the park.

“There is unmet demand for camping in Clackamas County and van camping is growing in popularity,” said Samara Phelps, Tourism Director. “It’s exciting to partner with Parks to address both trends and increase access to the exceptional experiences that County Parks already offers visitors and residents.”

The new campground will be ready for campers by June 1. For more information, go to the County Parks webpage.