OR Coast in Early May w/o Reservations?

[Airhead59]

Considering a drive with the Safari 25 from Eureka, CA to Aberdeen, WA on 101 the first week in May. Can I "wing it" or do I need to make reservations? Any recommendations?

Thanks!

[field & stream]

Traveling without reservations is probably OK on weekdays, less likely on weekends. It is hard for anyone to give helpful recommendations without knowledge of your “style” — i.e. backroads boondocking, primitive campgrounds, full service RV parks, resorts?

[Airhead59]

Thx F&S - We prefer public campgrounds (USFS, state parks, preserves, etc.), no hookups needed.

[field & stream]

I can help, that’s our style too. Prairie Creek Redwoods SP near Orick CA is fabulous and the James Irvine trail is one of the best in America. Your trailer size could be an issue, certainly for most of the sites, I suggest you talk to them and make a reservation.

Once in Oregon our favorites are Harris Beach, Cape Blanco (more remote) Jesse Honeyman (terrific), and Fort Stevens up on the Columbia River. Not a place to camp but if you are a Lewis and Clark nut Fort Clatsop is worth a visit.

In WA, Cape Disappointment on the North side of the Columbia River is incredibly good with lots to do.

[Bill M.]

Ft Stevens would be a good place to make reservations if you want to go there. I have been turned away from both Ft Stevens and the KOA near there twice when we just showed up.

[tjdonahoe]

We go California up the Oregon coast in late April. , no reservations…always a place….even an old abandoned gravel pit overlooking the ocean…with the best view ever

[daleyocum]

I would certainly start spot checking the availability now and see how booked up they already are. If they are already getting full start booking what you can find. Maybe even use www.campnab.com. The world is different in this pandemic landrush. There’s not a lot of easily found forest service dispersed camping along the Oregon coast that can take a larger trailer.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

If you like to wander around, Harvest Hosts might be worth investigating. Yes, they do charge a membership fee. It does add another block of places to "the list".

Bob

[Atwebs]

To be certain reserve on Friday and Saturday nights, those are tough especially on holiday weekends; Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day and Memorial Day. We did that last year and wound up stuck for one weekend with no reservations. Not a happy time.

[CruizinDux]

I'm with tjdonahoe. We lived in Eugene for almost 20 years and the coast was a quick 60 miles west, only recently moving to MO. Smaller SP's like Beachside just N of Yachats was our fav with arguably IMO the best walking beach in OR, dog friendly no crowds. Possibly keep an eye out on reserve America as you're working your way up the coast. Also lots of private RV parks and larger SP's.

Worthy of note and consideration are the county parks up and down the coast. Often overlooked, cheaper and real sleepers. Our fav is Harbor Vista in Florence.

https://reservations.lanecounty.org/Index.asp We drove by the sign a zillion times heading to Beachside and one day finally turned and drove down the hill. Private spaces, with lots of Rhodies (which should be in bloom...maybe check out the Florence website for their Rhododendron Festival which would have an impact on availability) and Huckleberry's between sites for great privacy. By now they likely have finished the waste hookups which as of about 2 years ago was about 50% finished.

Happy trails

[Airhead59]

Thanks everyone for the tips. Air Forums is a wonderful community!

I will look into the status of reservations, especially around the weekends, and will check out the recommended campgrounds. The Florence Rhody Festival is May 18-22, a couple of weeks after our trip. Sounds like fun for a future visit!

[Wstewart]

Yup. Very popular area.

[mgblake13]

Following

[LBelle]

i certainly agree with what others have said: Cape Disappointment (albeit in WA), Fort Stevens, South Beach (Newport) and Honeyman are some favorite state parks. There are nice Forest Service campgrounds but some may not be open before mid-May.

[CruizinDux]

Another of our favorites is lunch at Seascape in Trinidad Harbor/pier. Great spot for some fresh fish n chips and a cold one.


https://www.google.com/maps/place/Se...4d-124.1474895


Since this is also a boat launch for locals, there is plenty of room form TV/TT parking too. Generally nice and sunny.

[KellyAndersson]

Originally Posted by CruizinDux

... and Huckleberry's between sites for great privacy.

You meant blackberries, right?


Many of the state parks on the Oregon coast (and N.California) have jungles of blackberries; excellent site dividers for privacy, and blackberry pancakes for breakfast. Huckleberries typically don't grow much taller than your butt.

[field & stream]

Originally Posted by KellyAndersson

You meant blackberries, right?


Many of the state parks on the Oregon coast (and N.California) have jungles of blackberries; excellent site dividers for privacy, and blackberry pancakes for breakfast. Huckleberries typically don't grow much taller than your butt.

Actually, on the Oregon (and Washington) coast huckleberry bushes grow to be well over 10’ tall, and wide. September is prime time for berries, there won’t be any in May.

[Dick tracy]

The only issue is the rain. I live in Portland Metro go all the time, just went to Astoria in late January, no problems if you not there for the weather and don't need the best site in the park.
if you need some campsite ideas send PM.

[KellyAndersson]

DEFINITELY make reservations now, the state parks campgrounds are not a good bet for availability this year. If your first day on the road is a short one, I very highly recommend McKerricher. I've visited about half of them on the Oregon coast and they're all winners.



ALSO: https://www.oregonlive.com/travel/20...h-a-visit.html

[CruizinDux]

Originally Posted by KellyAndersson

You meant blackberries, right?


Many of the state parks on the Oregon coast (and N.California) have jungles of blackberries; excellent site dividers for privacy, and blackberry pancakes for breakfast. Huckleberries typically don't grow much taller than your butt.

Kelly, blackberries i have done battle with. Just walk or ride down any alley in eugene at night. I planted thornless boysens in my garden.

As for the hucks, pretty sure that was the ID and agree on the height.