When summer finally comes to the Pacific Northwest coast, it goes by way too fast. So there’s no better place to spend the warm, sunny days of summer than outside. Even better, spend your nights outside, too.
Car camping is all the rage. Maybe it’s the lingering recession. Or maybe our past few winters have been so very cloudy that sleeping outside, under a clear night sky, just needs to happen this summer. But be warned – it’s crowded out there. Make reservations for a campsite if you can (some campgrounds take them, and some don’t). If you don’t have reservations, have a backup plan just in case you can’t get a campsite at your first-choice campground. My backup plan is usually knowing where some nearby, less-popular campgrounds are.
Many campgrounds take advanced reservations. For federal recreation lands (forest service campgrounds and national park campgrounds) go to recreation.gov to make a reservation. About half of Oregon state parks campgrounds accept advanced reservations – to make a reservation go to oregon.gov/OPRD/PARKS/reserve.
One of our favorite car camping destinations in late summer and fall is the north Oregon Coast, from the awesome mouth of the Columbia River near Astoria to the rugged coastline of Cape Perpetua.
Here are some of our favorite Oregon Coast campgrounds.
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Fort Stevens State Park
Get splashed! This is your front-row seat for watching the Columbia River join the Pacific Ocean.
The park’s offerings to campers are unique, diverse and fun. Where else can you swim in a freshwater lake in the morning, then while away your afternoon beachcombing near an old shipwreck? Walk along the six miles of hiking trails or bike on the nine miles of biking trails through dunes, shorepines, hemlock and spruce forests. Talk with long-distance hikers as they leave this spot for their journey along the Oregon Coast Trail. Visit the historical museum on site and learn about the military history of Fort Stevens. Watch migrating seabirds from the south jetty. Yes – that is ALL in one state park!
Details: 20 tent sites, all with picnic tables and fire grills, and a separate camping area for hikers and bicyclists. Enjoy showers, a playground for the kiddos, and firewood available for purchase. Sites at Fort Stevens State Park are $21 per night (summer rate), plus $8 if you make a reservation (recommended, though some sites held for first-come, first-serve). The pet fee is $10 per night.
Not into sleeping in tents? Yurts and deluxe cabins are available for rent here, too.
Info and reservations: Fort Stevens State Park / 1.800.452.5687.
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Beverly Beach State Park
Just to the north of Newport is a fantastic but popular camping destination, Beverly Beach State Park. You’ll camp in some lovely woods on the east side of Highway 101, but only a short distance away through a tunnel is a stretch of beach that offers miles of roaming and beachcombing. Just to the north is Devil’s Punchbowl, a spectacular place to watch the tide come in or go out as the carved rock formations cause the ocean water to swirl violently. Splash! Another good destination nearby is the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport.
Details: Choose from 128 tent sites ($21 a night in summer, $8 reservation fee) all with picnic tables and fire grills, and a separate camping area for hikers and bicyclists. Also there are 21 yurts ($40 per night) and reservations are recommended.
Info and reservations: Beverly Beach State Park / 1.800.551.6949.
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Cape Perpetua
If ever you have needed a heavy dose of scenery, this place will deliver. It’s one of the Oregon Coast’s top attractions for a number of reasons, and its rugged, beautiful scenery tops the list.
The Cape Perpetua Scenic Area is over 2700 acres in size and sits just two miles south of the awesome seaside town of Yachats. This is the heart of the central Oregon Coast, and noticeably less-visited than its northern counterpart.
This US Forest Service campground (Siuslaw National Forest) is in a truly spectacular setting near the town of Yachats on the central Oregon coast. Watch wales from the coastal cliffs or hike on one of the many nearby trails.
Details: Choose from 38 tent sites at Cape Perpetua, at $22 per night.
Info and reservations: recreation.gov / 1.877.444.6777.
Happy coast camping! And don’t forget the marshmallows!
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Cape Perpetua is the highest point on the Oregon Coast! We love the dramatic view and the miles of hiking trails there. Good list!