Best Places To Camp On The Oregon Coast

An easy day-trip distance to Crater Lake, Natural Bridge Campground also lends immediate access to nearby attractions. Exemplifying the rugged nature of the southern Oregon coast, Harris Beach State Park lends access to stunning sea stacks, cliffside views, and one of the best beaches of Oregon. Find the top spots to pitch a tent or park an RV with our list of Oregon’s best campgrounds. There are few who know what it’s like to wake up to chilly noses and frost on the tent. While state parks typically charge a fee to stay within their grounds and utilize camping spots, a few groups are exempt from this charge. Campers may not stay for longer than 14 days within a consecutive 28 day period.

We personally enjoying crabbing and clamming in the mornings and hiking one of the numerous trails the afternoons. We don’t personally fish but have notice tons of folks out on the water when we stay here. My husband films national parks and forests for a living (I know, I can’t believe that can be a real job either) and so we spend a lot of time in nature. We haven’t spent a ton of time in Oregon, however on a recent visit to the Wallowa region, we were absolutely blown away by the scenery. We’ll definitely be back to explore more campgrounds but for now, here’s an amazing campground in east Oregon.

More Places To Camp Near Portland: Cabins And Glamping Options

Winters see big waves and storms, and fog lingers through the warmer months, too — but that’s part of the charm. Camping is open year-round, and RV campgrounds at Fort Stevens State Park can be reserved for $34. Before embarking on your camping adventure, please check local Department of Parks and Recreation websites for information and updates regarding the status of park openings. This self-contained guest suite is within walking distance to the beach and downtown Brookings and has a garden, barbecue facilities, a terrace, and free WiFi. The Little House has a perfect location on 14 acres, right by the ocean, Garrison Lake, and Port Orford.

Along the way stop and enjoy waterfalls, scenic views, and some great fishing. This welcoming and sunny cabin on the lower Rogue River is close to Gold Beach and has everything you need to enjoy your vacation. There’s great fishing nearby and you can swim or float the river right in front of the cabin. This adorable cottage has views of the Rogue River and has an open floor plan with vintage beach decor. Enjoy the hot summer days on the patio which has a grill, and a free gourmet breakfast every morning.

These 9 Crystal Clear Alpine Lakes In Oregon Are Absolutely Magical

Connected by the Oregon Coastal Highway, and located just south of neighboring Seaside, Cannon Beach is also home to Ecola State Park. This is a hiker’s paradise, with many trails snaking through the coastal landscape. Elsewhere, there’s Indian Beach, which is not only great for surfing and lounging around on the sand, but also boasts some quality hiking routes.

Luckily, there’s a seemingly endless amount of space to spread out. Dozens of side roads splinter off from FR 21, most with places to dispersed camp. I can’t give any exact coordinates, but some campsites in this area have impressive views of Grande Ronde Valley. Less than 15 miles north of La Grande, Spring Creek Road is the perfect dispersed camping destination for those traveling through Eastern Oregon on I-84. Another option is to continue on down Brooks Meadow Road until the turn off for Surveyors Ridge Road . This road is littered with dispersed campsites as well as turnoffs for other roads with even more dispersed campsites.

Rock Creek Campground At The Oregon Coast

If you are traveling with kids, there is a playground at the park in addition to the kite flying and sandcastle building fun of the beach. There really is no reason to leave the campground but if you do decide to venture out, Cape Perpetua is only 6 miles away. This area is great for tide pooling and taking a whale-watching trip. Just a few miles north, crabbing, clamming and shrimping are popular in the Alsea Bay and River.

Situated between Sutton Lake and the Alder Dunes, which tower over the crashing ocean waves, Sutton Campground is host to ample outdoor recreation opportunities. Rare birds such as the tufted puffin make their nests on the inaccessible islands just off the coast. Bring your binoculars to catch all of this magnificent marine life in action. “Hart Mountain is a gorgeous location and although didn’t see any antelope, I was treated to solitude and scenery. Hot springs were great and met some wonderful people who were very welcoming and had been coming to the same area for years. 100% free and plenty of spaces to pull up and choose from across the preserve.”—The Dyrt camper Zach A.

It would be a 45-minute drive to either destination from your campsite. Known as a popular destination for windsurfers and kiteboarders, Floras Lake is often as windy as the blustery Oregon coastline. That’s because it is right on the beach, barely separated from the ocean by a tall sandbar. The wind will die down during dawn and dusk, but it is never silenced for long. A 2.5-hour drive from Depoe Bay, Coos Bay is yet another classic rugged portion of the Oregon coast. There are some adorable restaurants and shops that sell fudge, while a huge portion of the area is famed for its natural attributes.

Best Campgrounds Oregon #7: Harris Beach State Park

Plymouth Park Campground sits on the edge of Lake Umatilla, which is technically a dammed-up reservoir of the Columbia River. This puts this campground on the northside of the Washington and Oregon border. The Olympic Mountains, the Sol Duc River, and the rocky coastline make Olympic National Park consistently one of the most popular National Parks in the country. Not far north of the state line between Oregon and California, this South Coast town is a good base for nearby hiking. Situated in Oregon’s Central Coast region, Newport boasts a range of accommodation to fit different needs and budgets. There are affordable motels near the road, seafront lodgings, and mid-range hotels spread throughout town, which sits at the intersection of Route 101 and Highway 20.

The temperate rainforests of the Oregon coast are but a few steps away from the state’s sandy shores and swaying beach grass. Here, Rock Creek and its campground exist in a unique ecosystem that heavily contrasts the adjacent shoreline. Sunset Bay andShore Acres State Park are among the most scenic locations on the entire Oregon Coast.

Moderate in size, the campsites also offer a fair amount of privacy with plenty of shade and underbrush. Although Jones Creek is typically open May through September, the site was closed in 2020 due to the virus. It would be a good idea to contact the ranger station prior to your trip to check on the campground status. Located on the southern Oregon Coast in Brookings, Captain’s Quarters is a cute cottage with a hot tub.

The Oregon coast tends to be pretty wet and cold so make sure you pack layers and good rain gear. Stay somewhere unique when camping in Oregon in Nehalem Bay State Park. Oregon state park camping here is set on a four-mile sand split that separates the bay from the ocean, and with 260 electrical sites available, there is room for everyone. Views, views and more views are what you should expect from a stay at Driftwood Campgrounds, whether it is of Three Creeks Lake or the surrounding mountain ranges.

A short trail from the campground leads to a sprawling day-use area and the ocean. The day-use area features a playground, beach picnic area, and green space. When some of the state’s most coveted campgrounds are under snow , the Alvord Desert and the high desert of the Columbia Plateau become havens for wintertime weekend warriors.

Tillicum Beach Campground, Siuslaw National Forest, Yachats

The rocky shoreline is fun to explore, and unreachable spots are often covered in sunbathing seals. “Immediately upon pulling into the grounds, the park was gorgeous- lush green shrubs, subtle salty sea breeze, generous space between campsites, and the friendliest rangers ever encountered! “It was raining while we were here but it’s a beautiful spot and if you’ve got an RV who cares about the rain! I really like the spots towards the back that back up to the trees and the Necanium River. They even have onsite laundry facilities and clean bathrooms/showers.” — The Dyrt camper Alicia F. Located not far from Tillamook State Forest in Northwest Oregon, you will find Jones Creek Campground.

With a short drive or uphill hike, campers at Mazama Village can reach the breathtaking beauty of Crater Lake’s southwest rim. The view from this vantage point illustrates why this ancient caldera is one of Oregon’s top attractions. Odell Lake is sandwiched between the volcanic mountains of Diamond Peak and Maiden Peak. It’s a wild and scenic location that’s conveniently adjacent to a major highway, yet it is surrounded by such verdant and lush forest that you’ll feel as if you were in an Alaskan wilderness.

Umpqua Lighthouse State Park

As the season changes, most West Coast residents pack away their camping gear and store it up high to gather dust until Labor Day and warmer weather. Tucked up the Arizona high country, Flagstaff is prime camping territory for both local Flagstaffians and out-of-towners. Sleeping bags are great for tents, but it’s tough to beat wool camp blankets when you’re chilling around the campsite. Crater Lake National Park is Oregon’s lone national park — and it’s a sight to behold — but there are many more historic landmarks throughout the state to see as well. The reservoir is filled with jet skis and party boats throughout the warmer months of the year. Fishing is a year-round activity on the lake and can be especially rewarding in the winter months.

Cove Palisades is a great place to explore; the rugged landscape, wide open sky, and shimmering Lake Billy Chinook will mesmerize you. That’s because Detroit Lake is a wonderful destination for all kinds of watersports and lake activities. There is a visitor center on site with snacks, souvenirs, and firewood. The snow-capped peak of Mt. Jefferson looms in the background and there are plenty of nearby access roads that lead off into the surrounding wilderness areas. Some travelers think that the best Oregon lake campgrounds are loaded with amenities and conveniences, while others prefer their campsites primitive and remote.