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HeadWest · 08-03-2015, 10:07 PM

My wife and I are planning to visit the Oregon coast starting at the end of the month for about 3 weeks. Unfortunately, with a busy schedule I have not been good with the planning part and haven't made any reservations. We normally have done pretty well with the "just wing it" mindset. However, I'm now finding out that the Oregon State Parks take reservations on all sites and don't have any non reservable sites for just walk in's. Pretty much everything I've checked on so far is full for Labor Day weekend including several private campgrounds and marines that I've called.

Any great suggestions would sure be appreciated. We have our 30 year wedding anniversary on September 6th so I would prefer to not be staying in a Walmart parking lot. We would like to be somewhere near the ocean but not super picky as far as exact location nor do we care about hookups for a few days. Other then the Labor Day weekend I'm not to concerned about finding other sites.

Thanks!

Meeks · 08-03-2015, 10:18 PM

I'm still learning about this, as well, and I live here! There are two state campgrounds on the Oregon Coast that are not reservations-only and have some sites that are first-come first-served. One is Carl Washburne SP (mid-Oregon coast) and one is Cape Blanco SP (south Oregon coast). Cape Blanco is known to be very windy at times but is very pretty and has a great lighthouse you can visit and get right next to the very old lens. In fact, one of the AirForums folks was volunteering as a host at this campground recently.
Additionally, there are some USFS campgrounds along the coast though these too are often reserved.
Hopefully, others will chime in with more information for you. Enjoy Oregon, there is so much beauty to see! And congratulations on your wedding anniversary!

Caffeinated · 08-03-2015, 11:00 PM

Give Sea and Sand a call. Private rv camp between Depot Bay and Lincoln City. Pretty nice, right on the ocean. Labor Day weekend could be a problem but I bet they have a few spaces midweek.

Mike

CaddyGrn · 08-03-2015, 11:38 PM

I use several phone apps to see what is nearby... and don't forget to check the NFS spots, many times they are first come first served. If looking for a spot and you don't have reservations, it can be very tricky along the Oregon Coast... but the "early bird" usually gets the worm! So if you don't have a reservation, call and ask anyway, someone may cancel or leave early.

Good luck!

HeadWest · 08-04-2015, 11:46 AM

Thanks for the suggestions. Has anyone had any luck dry camping at any marines that maybe don't have a regular campground or hookups?

dames7 · 08-04-2015, 11:53 AM

We have been on a week's trip and the best RV park was SEA & SAND, we only had 3 nights and wish we could stay for a month.

Ask for BEACH SIDE, you are so close to the water it will make you feel great you chose this RV PART.

NanaB · 08-04-2015, 01:50 PM

Nehalem Bay State Park (Manzanita) has walk in for two loops after Labor Day. If you go north into Washington, Kalaloch(Olympic National Park) has walk in sites.

Climber · 08-04-2015, 01:54 PM

Maybe book the week after Labor Day? Check out Ft Stevens, Cape Lookout, Nehalem Bay, Beverly Beach on the N Coast. Beautiful state parks. Check online everyday for spaces opening up due to cancellations. Good luck!

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NorthstarNW · 08-04-2015, 06:45 PM

Labor Day weekend is pretty busy everywhere, but the more money you're willing to pay, or the fewer amenities you need, the easier it will be to find something. Our State Parks (yes, I'm an Oregonian) have become so popular with folks across the nation, even those of us who live here can't just "show up" anymore for a spontaneous weekend. And a spur-of-the-moment spot at one of our beach state parks on a holiday weekend is practically unheard of.

If you are willing to forego hookups, you will have lots of choices with Forest Service campgrounds. Get on the USFS website and take a look. Many more options there, especially if you're willing to be a few miles inland.

If you really need to be at the beach (maybe especially for your anniversary??), I would try some of the private campgrounds mentioned, as well as some you can find online.

NorthstarNW · 08-04-2015, 07:06 PM

Sea and Sand has availability on the 6th for two nights (at least) in their forest section. I just checked for you. Go get it, happy anniversary:
Sea and Sand RV Park on The Oregon Coast

Mellinkat · 08-04-2015, 07:32 PM

My husband and I just returned from the Oregon coast today. We did not have our airstream with us as it was inland getting a solar package installed. However, we saw multiple RV Parks that appeared to have openings along the coastline between Seaside and Tillamook. The only one I remember the name of was called Circle Creek RV park. You could look up details on the Internet. I believe it is just a few miles south of Seaside. As others have said, Labor Day weekend might pose the biggest challenge, but you could always call and check. Good luck and Happy Anniversary.

leedav · 08-04-2015, 07:34 PM

Check Tillamook County Parks. Kilchis River is very nice. 10 m to the beach

Climber · 08-04-2015, 07:41 PM

Don't forget Cape Disappointment SP on the WA side of the mouth of the Columbia. Lewis & Clark's furthest point West, just a few miles from Astoria. But again, after the holiday would be best.

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John&Vicki · 08-04-2015, 07:47 PM

Cape Blanco SP is all first come first serve and is fantastic. Very remote, very raw, but the weather is good in September and October. The campground is very sheltered from the wind with large private sites. My wife and I are volunteering there as lighthouse hosts for the month of October. Very cool lighthouse, oldest in Oregon with a second order Fresnel lenses. Tours take you up all the way to the top level where the light is.

Not far from Bandon, one of the nicest towns on the Coast. Great Saturday market along the waterfront. Nearest town is Port Orford, the friendliest town on the Coast. Port Orford has one of the very few dolly docks in the world. They don't have a natural harbor so they use cranes to lift the boats out of the water and place them on dollies. There's a shack on the dock called Griffs with unique and outstanding fish and chips.

Cheers,
John

P.S. More about Cape Blanco at the fabulous Wheelin' It blog: http://wheelingit.us/2013/09/02/pure...ape-blanco-or/

John&Vicki · 08-04-2015, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadWest

Thanks for the suggestions. Has anyone had any luck dry camping at any marines that maybe don't have a regular campground or hookups?

There's always room to dry camp at Winchester Bay Marina. You can walk to the Umqua River Lighthouse. Fantastic red lens, not to be missed at night. There's also a very nice commercial RV park near the harbor. Cool area.

Cheers,
John

From the excellent Technomadia Blog:
Next Up on the Oregon Coast – Umpqua River Lighthouse & Winchester Bay | Technomadia

Drathaar · 08-04-2015, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leedav

Check Tillamook County Parks. Kilchis River is very nice. 10 m to the beach

The Trask River park is nice, too. Barview at the Tillamook jetty is nice as well.

McDave · 08-04-2015, 08:43 PM

We camped at the state park in Astoria, beautiful! Noticed on the way in that there was a KOA on the other side of the street, almost empty. Wondered why anyone would stay there, but this may be the answer. If you want to be in Astoria over the Labor Day holiday, you might call the KOA and see what they have available. Nice KOA, just sort of pales by comparison with the state park.

garybair · 08-04-2015, 11:32 PM

The state park by Astoria by the KOA would be Fort Stevens, if anyone wants to know the name of it. Beautiful place, many bike trails too.

CaddyGrn · 08-04-2015, 11:49 PM

One can download (or ask for a free paper copy) of the Oregon State Parks Guide. Oregon State Parks are excellent in my opinion! Many of the sites are lovely, not too crowded right next to each other, and they usually have full hookups or at least water and electricity. Their showers and restrooms are usually pretty good. Oh, and I agree with John & Vicki above Cape Blanco is awesome!

Here is the link: Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department: Publications and Maps

spenfolder · 08-05-2015, 12:12 AM

Last summer I stayed 5 days at Camp Blanco. Walk in sites only. John&Vicki's description is right on. Turned out to be one of my favorite stops on the coast. You might also consider Cape Perpetua Campground just south of the great little town of Yachats. This is a forest service campground and while you can make reservations, most of the sites there are actually walk in as well.

Stan
Salt Lake City