Places To Camp On The Oregon Coast

Nearly 400 miles of beach graces the Oregon shoreline, and all of it is public land. Operated by the National Forest Service within the Siuslaw National Forest of Central Oregon, Rock Creek Campground provides a well-shaded place to stay close to the ocean. The 14 sites at Rock Creek are non-electric and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The Spencer Creek Bridge frames the campground’s western loop, and all 250 campsites are distributed among massive shade-producing trees.

If you can luck out, or go in the off season, this is a nice far out spot, off the beaten path to just relax by Sharps Creek. I liked how this place is small and more primitive than others, while still being a legit campground.”—The Dyrt camper TJ B. You do have to walk your stuff there but it’s totally worth it.” — The Dyrt camper Alicia F. There are good bathrooms with showers on site, a sand volleyball court, a store, little wild bunnies running around, and great fire pits at each site.” — The Dyrt camper Ryan E. “In the cute little fishing town of Garibaldi, on the Oregon Coast, we found this gem of an RV park.

In Boundless Roads I share travel stories and practical information about the places I visit and the nomadic lifestyle. I hope you will join me in this exciting neverending journey that is life. Another determining factor for the best part of the Oregon Coast is the weather. It is generally warmer in the south and cooler in the north.

Northern Oregon Coast Things To Do

A paved pedestrian path within the campground accesses the beach and inspiring views before connecting to Downtown Brookings. Even with more than 300 tent and 150 RV spaces available, advanced camping reservations are still recommended . Shower houses, flushing toilets, and running water can be found within the two massive campground loops at Fort Stevens. The campground also features one of the most impressive amphitheaters in the country, which showcases educational movies throughout the week. Forest Service roads are indicated as NF-##, while roads running through BLM lands often also have several free camping options alongside them.

The ancient remains of the Peter Iredale shipwreck on the beach is a must-see sight. And unique to the rest of the coast, vehicles are allowed on parts of the beach at Fort Stevens. Despite this vehicle traffic and its popularity for clamming, it’s easy to find your own space on the wide beach, which stretches for nearly 20 miles to the south. This unique history, alongside an expansive sandy beach, makes Fort Stevens one of the most popular places to go camping in Oregon.

But, whether you’re going for a week or a month, you’ll love your time on the Coast! Let’s jump into all the details to help you plan an epic Oregon Coast road trip. With a little extra planning, campers can easily take advantage of free camping in Oregon and enjoy all the scenic wonders of this state. Apps – FreeCampsites.net, iOverlander, and FreeRoam.app are three of my favorite apps to find dispersed campsites anywhere in the United States.

Carl G Washburne Memorial State Park Campground, Near Florence

The Bagby Day Use space stays open so long as the positioning is accessible to hosts and managers. As soon as roads turn impassible, the positioning is not maintained. A novel kids’ playground is in style with locals in addition to campers. Guests take pleasure in strolling on the seashore and fishing within the surf. Seashore guests need to be cautious of sneaker waves and harmful rip currents.

During the winter, especially, you can typically see hundreds of them! This popular chain started in Newport back in 1946 and is the perfect spot to try some seafood. You might be able to spot some whales from the Whale Watching Center or you can join a tour.

Bring your camping boots, as there are some great hikes in the area. The park is situated in the Scenic Crooked River Canyon, therefore ideal if you are looking for a little adventure while having somewhere a little luxurious to head back to. The area is a popular bird watching spot, so be sure to bring your binoculars.

My Favorite Dispersed Campsites In Oregon

They took out the bathrooms and now there is crap and toilet paper all over the forest behind where the used to be. MVUM Maps – Stop by a nearby USFS ranger station or BLM visitor center to pick up paper motor vehicle use maps. The campground near Hart Mountain Hot Springs is among my absolute favorites in all of Oregon. For some of the most remote camping in Oregon, look no further than Slocum Creek Campground. Free camping near the Painted Hills just doesn’t get much better than Priest Hole Recreation Site.

Picture yourself nestled underneath the stars and the slow, steady sound of ocean waves lulling you to a sweet night’s slumber. Whether you prefer to camp in a tent or an RV, the Oregon Coast has campgrounds dotted up and down the 360-mile stretch of coastline. I also think Rockaway Beach deserves a run at the title of “best beach town in Oregon,” although it’s not as popular as other spots. It’s quiet and peaceful – the best beach town in Oregon to relax, in my opinion.

Free Rv Campingalong The Oregon Coast

Determining the best beach town in Oregon is difficult because everyone will have a different opinion! That said, the most popular town on the coast is Cannon Beach, followed closely by Newport and Pacific City. If you want to extend the drive and stay overnight in a few spots, budget 1-2 days for every place you want to stay. This way, you can easily spend between 4-5 days or up to 3 weeks driving and exploring the Oregon Coast.

Just 150 yards from the ocean, you can hear the sounds of the shore at most campsites. Some campsites have partial ocean views so if you are interested in a site with a view, be sure to ask when booking. In addition, Fort Stevens is home to a shipwreck as well as six miles of hiking and nine miles of biking trails. Nature lovers will be right at home with freshwater lakes to explore along with lots of wildlife.

An avid hiker and camper, he’s traveled all over Australia, Europe and the USA in search of the world’s most beautiful and remarkable national parks. When he’s not out wandering in forests, over mountains or along coasts, you can find him in front of his laptop writing about his adventures and editing photos. You might also spot him in a local craft brewery sipping a beer or two. “This was by far my favorite place we stayed on our entire 4000+ mile road trip…. We stayed at Priest Hole, which is a few miles past the Painted Hills visitor center on dirt roads.

This first-come, first-served campground is free because there’s no vehicle access and reaching the campsite requires a moderate 4.5 mile hike . Offering more than 200 campsites, a handful of pet-friendly yurts and deluxe cabins, the Cape Lookout State Park campground is a favorite amongst visitors and locals alike. Aside from the military bases, you can also bike a few miles further out to the beautiful Jetty at the mouth of the Columbia river.

Port Orford is just a half hour to an hour away depending on the campsite you choose. Wildlife is abundant, including black bears (so make sure you’re bear smart). Summit Rock is often wrongly listed as part of Umpqua National Forest. Although it’s extremely close to the USFS boundaries, the dispersed campsites along FR 960 are actually part of Fremont-Winema National Forest. Pop-up campers are a great way to camp if you are looking for a near-authentic camping experience.

Siuslaw River Cottage

Sign up for our free email to join thousands of readers getting epic travel, hiking, camping and gear ideas every week. There are over 200 campsites, more than a dozen yurts, and several deluxe cabins to choose from. This is the place where people who love to walk will love to camp. Notorious as a stretch of beach where glass floats and other oceanic treasures can be found, Cape Lookout is popular among the beachcombing community. Walk out of the campground following Spencer Creek and under a bridge to access the expansive sands of Beverly Beach. This sandy shoreline is perfect for kite flying, fossil finding, and surfing.

Map Of Oregon Coast

The easement set by the state of Oregon exists up to the line of vegetation. If you are interested in checking out tide pools and the variety of marine animals that live along the Oregon Coast, Harris Beach is a great place to visit. Many harbor seals, California sea lions, and birds make their homes in the area. Shoppers will love Bandon by the Sea, which offers shops, galleries, and restaurants. You can also visit the Coquille River Lighthouse, which is open from mid-May through September. Beverly Beach is also really close to the attractions of Newport and the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, a great place to spend the day exploring.