Campgrounds & things to do along Oregon Coast

[NVR FNSH]

The wife & I are going to spend 4-5 days driving down the Oregon coast from Lincoln City to our home in Santa Rosa, CA. We are picking up our '00 Patio Hauler 351F from my parents in Vancouver, WA - thought I had the retired parents talked into towing the trailer down but the wife nixed that idea.



The only thing I know I really want to do along the way is the jet boat ride up the Rogue river. Any other suggestions? How 'bout favorite campgrounds? We'lll probably do Crescent City to Santa Rosa in 1 day since we can do that area on 3 day weekends.



We can take the dirt bikes (street legal '99 WR400 & '92 XR250R) if there is any good riding along the way other than the sand dunes. Any suggestions?



Brian

 

[Ranger Dick]

Brian, I know that this is CA, but we just got back from doing the lost coast/Usal road in northern CA, above Fort Brag. Since you have bikes, the ride would be really fun. I would not take the trailer/ram combo down though. It's a really pretty drive, and without a holiday, it will probably be close to deserted. Granted, crescent city to santa rosa is close, and this is a detour from legget, I think it would be a great one day diversion. You can also access it from Shelter cove. Look it up in google under Usal Road/lost coast. Matt

 

[chuck3]

Campgrounds

Your going to one of my farorite areas, I know a couple of real nice campgrounds right along the ocean in Oregon. One is Cape Lookout and the other is BeverlyBeach. Cresent City has a KOA thats right under the Redwood trees, beautiful campgound and theres lots more im sure some of the locals will tell you about . have fun.

 

[Thomas]

Brian,



How is Usal Road with just the truck? I've been tempted a number of times but haven't done it yet.

 

[weber1048]

NVR

At Lincoln City theres the Devils Lake state Park camp ground, Cape Lookout is a little south of Tillamook, while in Tillamook stop at the cheese factory great ice cream and cheese. At Newport there is a aquarium and the water front to see. South Beach State camp ground is about two miles south of the aquarium. Beverly Beach is about seven miles north of Newport. There are a lot of places to collect agates, view tidal pools etc on the beach. At Florence there are a couple of camp grounds one state and one county. Florence is also the start of the sand dunes area. Hope this info helps. I spend a lot of time on the coast, it's a great place. Any questions email me.



Doug

 

[JSoloman]

I just got back from the coast myself. I stayed at Beverly Beach, a state run campground, which is 5 miles north of Newport. 10-15 miles south from there is Carl Washbourne, then Beachside; both state campgrounds about $20/nite. Tillicum and Sutton, which are USFS campgrounds are near Florence and about $10-12/nite. Down south of Coos Bay is Horsefall, Spinreel and Bullards Beach campgrounds. Dunes around these areas too. Cape Blanco campground near Pacific City is about 15 miles north of Gold Beach, if your talking the jet boat trip. There are lots of USFS campgrounds, as well as private RV parks up and down the coast.

You can look up Reservations America on the net, for the state campgrounds and their availability too.

Hope this helps. Have fun.

 

[merryman]

The acquirum at Newport was mentioned, but I must add that it is really special. In the major area, the people are in large glass tube which runs through the area where the sea life lives, so that it is all around you. Pretty neat.

With out reservations this time of year you will likely need to stop early----especially at the premier parks such as Honeyman State park just south of Florence. Smaller areas such as Blanco (where there is a neat lighthouse to tour,)will probably be less a problem, BTW, Blanco is just north of Port Orford, not Pacific City, and it is about 5 miles off 101. Bullards Beach just north of Bandon is very nice, but would bet its pretty busy. Bandon is a nice sight seeing town.

Harris Beach State Park just north of Brookings is allso very nice, but also likely to be pretty busy.

If you are just looking for a place to stop for the night--or to park and look around, in Port Orford, about 3/4 mile off 101 on Port Orford Loop Rd, there are two private parks that are nothing special, but probably never full.

The Jet boat rides on the Rogue River are a real kick, but as of last week they were having some problems due to extremely low water levels. It was reported that they were not able to reach Agnes, the usual lunch stop, because of the lack of water. We appear to be in a 20+year drought.



Vaughn

in Port Orford

 

[hotel6]

I did that area last year with our pop-up and we had a great time We are going back this Aug with the 5er to cover even more ground. But, in Folrence ther is a Norweigen restaurant on the seaside that you will recognize when you see it. ( I can't remember the name) Really great food

 

[Sky]

All the places everyone mentioned are great. One that was not said was one of my favorite and its called Arizona Beach , I cant exactly rember where it is but I think its around Port Orford to Gold Beach area.

 

[Diesel Freak]

SAND!

if you have paddles for the bikes I suggest you visit Florence or Winchester Bay.



For Dirt there is Browns Camp in the Tilamook State forrest. there are lotts of trails and roads to ride on, but it is a little dusty this time of year.

-Cliff

 

[drawson]

Just got back yesterday from the coast this trip we stayed only at two camp grounds. First was Nehalum (sp) Bay which is 30 miles north of Tillamook and then Cape Lookout 12 miles south of Tillamook. I took all three of my kids samon fishing and came home with 8 samon.



We make a habit out of going to the Or coast every couple of years. We luv it there.



Have fun