Camping Along the Oregon Coast
There are Plenty of Suitable Campgrounds for Every Kind of Camper
Oct 7, 2008
Whether one travels in a camper, a motorhome, hikes, or bikes, the Oregon's coast has a plethora of campgrounds to meet every need.
Southern Oregon Coast
Dramatic best describes the rugged southern Oregon coastline. From Brookings to Reedsport, there are many wonderful accommodations for travelers.
Gold Beach, a small town just north of Brookings, Oregon, is a favorite stop for many vacationers. The Rogue River, one of the West’s designated scenic waterways, roars into town after a lengthy journey from the high Cascades of Central Oregon, and campgrounds along the river are a favorite stop. Indeed, in summer months many campers find exposed gravel beds along the river to be just about perfect. There are motorhome parks along the river as well as in the small community itself. Besides being a fishing mecca, Gold Beach is famous for its jet boat runs ninety miles up river to the small enclave of Agnes.
Just north of Gold Beach is the famous Cape Blanco, the most western point in the continental United States. Besides Cape Blanco State Park, there's also a horse camp located here, and just south of the cape is Humbug Mountain State Park and McGribble Campground.
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
The curvaceous highway 101 is dotted with small campgrounds and RV parks, but it is not until one gets to Reedsport that a serious section of the Oregon Coast is dedicated to camping and beach activities. This is an area that extends from Reedsport to Florence, and it is the sand dune buggy riding capital of the world.
Campgrounds abound along this stretch of coast, from Sunset Bay State Park to Umpqua Lighthouse State Park to the quintessential Jessie M. Honeyman State Park. Besides dune buggy riding, the area has a plethora of hiking trails and excellent fishing opportunities, both in fresh water lakes like the Tenmile Lakes, and river, ocean and surf fishing.
Central Oregon Coast
The Central Oregon Coast also is a popular camping area. From the dramatically scenic Cape Perpetua to Lincoln City, there's Beachside State Park, one of the most popular campgrounds on the coast, South Beach State Park, and Beverly Beach State Park. There are simply too many RV Parks to mention, so accommodations are usually not a problem.
The North Coast
Cape Lookout State Park, Oswald West State Park and Fort Stevens State Park are three outstanding parks in this area. Only Oswald West State Park does not accommodate vehicles. It's a walk-in campground. There are plenty of RV campgrounds along this stretch of coast also, and Fort Stevens State Park seems particularly well suited for RVers. This park has miles of paved hiking and bicycling trails that take one to old military battery buildings, accessible to the public. The remains of the Peter Iredale are still visible on the beach, and it’s even possible to walk to the south jetty for a spectacular view of the jaws of the Columbia River.
The coast is populated with small towns, each vying for the tourist trade and offering a smorgasbord of incredible activities. Besides hiking, golf courses are plentiful as are endless opportunities for beach combing on pristine, secluded beaches. Fishing is a given, and sunsets will never be more spectacular.
Bring Warm Clothing – Year Round
Summer winds often shriek down the coast from the north, so even a beautiful summer day can be windy and subsequently quite cool. Prepare for rain and you won’t be disappointed.
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