Camping the Oregon Coast
The Oregon coast is famed for its rugged beauty. The moody sea meets wide beaches strewn with driftwood, and rocky crags in the water contrast pine-covered overlooks on the mainland. An Oregon coast camping trip is a time-honored tradition among Oregonians, and a bucket-list item for nature-lovers everywhere.
With the following pointers, you’ll be ready to enjoy a treasured outdoor experience camping on the Oregon coast.
When to Go Camping on the Oregon Coast
In most cases, summer is the best time of year to go on a seaside Oregon camping adventure. The long hours of daylight are particularly pleasant along the coast, providing beaches with plenty of sunshine. The weather is warm enough, but not usually TOO hot – this allows for all sorts of outdoor activities as well as exploring the diverse ecosystems of beach, forest, and wetlands.
Summer is harvest season for most of Oregon’s signature crops. Shops and farms all over the state have their delectable items for sale, and many towns celebrate the harvest with fairs and special foods. Summer is also the season for the fruits of the sea. Seaside towns have all sorts of mollusks and fish on the menu.
The smart camper will book their trip in the early part of the summer season – think late May or early June. Or, you’ll want to book during the closing weeks of summer – the end of August or early September. During these times, your Oregon coast camping adventure will feature all of the delights of summer, but with fewer crowds.
For some nature lovers, spring takes top prize for seasonal camping. This is when the snow-capped mountains begin to melt, blue skies peek through the clouds, the state explodes in colorful wildflower blossoms, and rivers are swift and full.
Things to know about Oregon Coast Camping
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Make Reservations in Advance
Summer is an extremely popular time for an Oregon coast camping trip. Hoping that you can show up at a campground and nab a camping spot, or attempting last-minute reservations, may mean you are turning around or staying at a nearby hotel.It’s well-advised to book your campsite along the Oregon coast months in advance, preferably when the booking window opens. This is when reservations open up for a certain campground. Each campground is different, with booking windows opening anywhere from 6 months to a year in advance. Use ReserveAmerica to make your reservation easily online.
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Pack Warm-Weather Clothes
Oregon is known for its temperate climate, but it can get hot. There are six climate zones in the state, each with its own weather patterns and temperature variations. The coast, for example, can get into the 80s on a summer day and down into the 50s at night. If heading inland, the weather can vary quite a bit depending on the area’s elevation and proximity to the mountains.
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Bring Rain Gear and Layers
Regardless of the season, bring a rain jacket and layers on your Oregon coast camping trip. Even when no precipitation is forecasted, the rain and fog famous to the Pacific Northwest can roll in and quite literally dampen your plans.
Top Oregon Coast Campgrounds
Situated along the Nestucca River off the northern coastline, Raines Resort is the perfect Oregon coast camping destination for fishing enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. The river location draws anglers of all levels for Steelhead trout fishing in the winter or Chinook Salmon fishing in the spring, summer, and fall.
Raines Resort is only a few miles inland of Pacific City Beach, home to sandy beaches, surfers, and the iconic Haystack Rock. Just north of Pacific City Beach is Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area, where visitors can climb the towering sand dune and explore the unique rock formations or tide pools briming with colorful sea creatures.
A short drive south of Raines Resort leads to Bob Straub State Park and Nestucca Bay Area National Wildlife Refuge, where multiple hiking paths give stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the coastal prairie areas that burst with wildflowers in the late spring and early summer.
Raines Resort offers 30 AMP RV sites with full hookups. The sites are back-in only and may be a little tight for larger rigs. There are coin-operated laundry facilities, restrooms, and showers on-site.
Located off Coos Bay in southern Oregon, Bay Point Landing provides a seaside Oregon camping experience with something for everyone. At the campground, guests enjoy beach access to the bay and clean, modern amenities—including laundry and private bath facilities, a saltwater pool, a fitness center, fire pits and lounge areas, a general store, and a dog washing station.
A short drive from Coos Bay takes guests to Cape Arago State Park, Shore Acres State Park, and Sunset Bay State Park, which all lie along a 10-mile stretch of coastline south of the campground. These parks offer a combination of stunning sea cliff views, swimming, hiking, kayaking, and tide pooling. Bastendorff Beach is also located right next to the campground, and is the perfect place to swim, spot wildlife, and watch the sunset.
A scenic 40-minute drive north of this Oregon coast campground leads to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, where you can rent ATVs, walk the beach, or take a dip. If your visit is met with PNW rains, the Coos History Musem & Maritime Collection, Coos Art Museum, and Egyptian Theater offer plenty of indoor activities in town.
Conveniently located off the Oregon Coast Highway, Cypress Hills RV Campground offers a quaint, quiet, and well-kept home base while exploring the state’s southern coastline. Cypress Hills is just a 15-minute drive south to the small town of Port Orford, where you can visit three state parks all within several miles of each other. Paradise Point, Port Orford Heads, and Humbug Mountain State Park each offer views of the rocks, coves, and bluffs that line the shore, with plenty of hiking trails and beaches to explore.
Other nearby attractions include the historical Cape Blanco Lighthouse at Cape Blanco State Park, a costal food trail featuring fresh seafood and craft beers, or a 5-minute drive to Floras Lake for kite or windsurfing.
A hidden gem of Oregon coast campgrounds, Cypress Hill Campground has 5 back-in sites and 8 large pull-through sites, all with full hook-ups and their own picnic table and fire pit. Guests enjoy private, heated showers, ADA-compliant restrooms, fast WiFi, and coin-operated laundry facilities.
It’s Time to Plan a Great Trip
Seaside Oregon camping can be as idyllic as it sounds, especially with the right planning. Head over to ReserveAmerica to book your Oregon coast camping trip and read our camping-related articles to ensure you make the most of your time in the great outdoors.