Oregon Trip planning

[nwcountry]

Originally Posted by traveler of california

Certainly for the 4th of July.

Fave places off the top of my head, and I was born & raised in Oregon, and have lived on the coast

Charleston is neat, just head into North Bend on your way down the coast, and follow signs "to beaches". I can give you a turn by turn map if you need that. If you drive on past Charleston, you will come to a few campspots, but I think Sunset Beach is the best. There is one before that, but I don't choose to camp there because it doesn't feel as safe.

Bullards Beach Bandon, OR is one of my friends fave spots, they want to live there they love it so much. I haven't stayed there for too many years to remember. Honeyman Park is further North. Astoria is lovely, and I'm sure there are wonderful campgrounds near there as well.

I don't know about reservations, someone actually "out there" would know better than I I'm in Crescent City CA, just south of the Oregon border. There is Harris Beach in Brookings OR, and they call Brookings the Banana Belt because it is so lovely and sheltered. Several other campgrounds, Humbug Mountain has been recommended to me as well. If you get down to Port Orford, be sure and already have your groceries stocked up. They have one, main market and it is outrageous on prices. 5-6 bucks for a loaf of bread, you can imagine the rest of the prices. That isn't typical in the larger cities on the Oregon Coast. Lots of Farmers Markets going on now, usually Saturdays, you can get the best vegies if you need them

denise

[twogypsies]

The very best blog I've come across for travel information and campground reviews is this one:

Wheeling It – Living the Fulltime RV Dream with 12 Paws, 40 Feet and the Open Road

On the top 'Clicky' row, click on 'Travel Tales' and all the states come up. Click on 'Oregon' and you'll have a lot of good reading. Also click on Oregon's campground reviews. She does an excellent job including which sites to get for big rigs and which loops.

They love public campgrounds and boondocking spots but also do RV parks.

Her photography is awesome and if you get a chance take a peek at the Grand Canyon photos.

They also do volunteering and giving lighthouse tours are their favorite, as are ours. She's doing a gig right now on the Oregon coast.

[Fushux]

We are leaving on a 16 day trip this weekend through CA and OR. So far we've got planned stops in Bishop, CA, Lake Almoner, Collier Memorial State Park ( outside crater lake), La Pine , OR (outside Bend) and then to the coast. Going to a bit in Winchester Bay, OR where there are some sand dunes. Make our way down home along the 101 until just South of San Fran where I'll head over to the 5 for the final stretch home.

We have 90% of campgrounds already booked. Having a hard time on the way home 4th of July weekend. Most state parks are booked up and KOA's require a 3 night stay that weekend. I might end up hitting up the local walmart or rest stop for the final 2 days but I know the kids won't like that too much. I'll probably post up a trip report.

Andrew

[ykcamom]

Great advice! Any suggestions on parks in each area? Thanks!

Originally Posted by twogypsies

We've traveled the coast five times without reservations. There are three coast state parks that don't even accept reservations: Washburne at Florence (Heceta Head Lighthouse), Cape Blanco at Port Orford - a favorite of ours - big sites, beautiful beach and walking trails and Loeb at Brookings. We've also gotten in reservable campgrounds by getting a cancellation. We've stayed at Beverly Beach, Fort Stevens and Harris Beach by doing this. We've also stayed in a couple national forest campgrounds, casinos and county parks. We love public parks the best.

We rarely traveled with reservations in our 16 years of full-timing. We didn't want to have to be there on a certain day.

I'd suggest staying at three locations on the coast - northern, mid and lower. It makes for a lot less driving to see things.

We try to get to a park by Noon or earlier and never try to move around from Thursday thru Saturday.

As far as taking I-5 to Oregon, there are more scenic ways with minimal traffic. We like CA395 on the eastern Sierras and we've also and we've also gone up through Idaho - beautiful country. From I-84 you could take 20 or 26 and weave your way to the coast or Portland if that's where you want to begin your coastal stays.

Have a great time. It's always a favorite with us!

[Melvo]

There are some OR State Parks or at least there were that do not take reservations and there are some that only reserve some of their sites. Their web sites should tell you. We have found that if you get to a campground early afternoon you can generally get in if you willing to wait a little. Only one at the coast I recall that was all reservation was Beverly Beach.

[Cicada]

[QUOTE=LarryH1481;3114737]Since you have the time...I would take the scenic route CA north via Hwy-395. You can pickup Hwy-395 at Barstow. Lots to see along East Sierras. Head north of Reno/Tahoe to Susanville, CA, then west on Hwy-36 and drive thru Lassen Volcanic NP, then continue west on Hwy-44 to Redding and I-5 north to Shasta Lake and Mt. Shasta. Safe travels!

I will be taking the MH on a Sacramento, Portland, Seattle, Oregon Coast loop starting July 3, for 2 weeks. Maybe, we'll meet up on the trail.

Get a copy of the Oregon State Parks Guide for your Oregon Coast trip!

Hopefully leaving Tuesday..as of today hwy 395 is closed at hwy 120 for about 4 miles to hwy 167... dept of trans says find alternate route...we planned to take 395 from Barstow to Susanville....could you recommend alternate route...

[twogypsies]

Here's the report on the fire incident. It's 30% contained with minimal fire activity. The highway isn't closed - about a 20 minute wait for escorts. It should be clear to go shortly.

InciWeb the Incident Information System: Marina Fire

I wouldn't change your plans but keep watch on this web site.

[LarryH1481]

Hwy 395 is too important a highway to stay closed very long. Fire is now reported as 37% contained. CHP is escorting traffic for safety, as crews work along Hwy 395 north of Lee Vining.
I would proceed with your trip as planned. You may experience afternoon wind gusts, along the Sierra's, so monitor your weather channel. Safe driving!

twogypsies...thanks for info!