Camping, northern Oregon coast (Astoria, Tillamook: cabins, beach, trailer)

[Neal2009]

I am going camping for 3 days and want to find a good campsite along the coast. It seems cape lookout, Nehalem Bay, Oswald west and Fort Stevens are the best places. Can anyone tell me which area is nicest in their opinion? Also, if you know of any other campsites, please tell me. Any advice at all would be appreciated.

[Lilly12103]

maybe check out Cannon Beach too, I haven't been camping out there but I feel in love with Ecola State park, and can't wait for it to warm up so I can explore the campgrounds. Be sure to post and let us know how your trip goes, no matter where you end up staying!

[Neal2009]

Originally Posted by Lilly12103

maybe check out Cannon Beach too, I haven't been camping out there but I feel in love with Ecola State park, and can't wait for it to warm up so I can explore the campgrounds. Be sure to post and let us know how your trip goes, no matter where you end up staying!

Surprisingly Ecola State park does not have any camping, but apparently there are some cabins hidden somewhere in the park. I personally have never been there, but it looks fantastic. I bet it is real crowded in the summer.

Cannon beach has some camping, but it is very expensive as you can imagine. Cheaper camping can be found at the sites I listed above.

Next 3 days are supposed to be sunny, so I am going to take advantage of it and explore the most beautiful coastline in America!

[EnricoV]

Well, Oswald West is closed until further notice. Something to do with the well-being of the trees. So cross that off your list. It refers you to the other parks you named, but also Cape Lookout. Not sure if there's a reason it's not on your lest. I'd say it's most similar to Oswald West in that the terrain is a little more mountainy/woodsy along with the beach aspect.

It's been a hundred years since I camped at the beach, but here's my impressions.

Biggest differences between the other two, which both are more open, flat campgrounds with options like good bicycling. I can see are:

Fort Stevens -- the terrain is more flat. It's near to Astoria, Fort Clatsop, etc. if you want other entertainment. It'll have more services available.

Nehalem Bay -- it's on the bay, so less pounding surf. In more isolated area, so probably fewer random tourists.

The Oregon State Parks website will give you a list of what's available at each.

[Jillaceae]

Of the campgrounds you listed, my favorite is Cape Lookout, because I really like the beach that it is on, and also the beach isn't that crowded, which is very nice.

I also really like Fort Stevens, EnricoV makes good points: excellent biking and there is lots to do. (Also, not a bad drive to Cannon Beach, and Ecola state park, my favorite as well!) But Fort Stevens is a little further from the actual beach, as opposed to right next to it, like Cape Lookout. Also, at certain times of the year, Fort Stevens can be a bit mosquito-y.

[juggler]

I have been camping at Fort Stevens, Oswald West and Cape Lookout, from your list.

My impressions of each:
Fort Stevens - very large campground, good place to go bicycling (but not scenic bicycling; most of the paths are thru campgrounds and such), good for history buffs (you can check out the old WWII batteries)

Oswald West - excellent beach, good for watching boogie boarders, nice woodsy environment; good hiking trail at nearby Neahkahnie Mountain, nice waterfall in the park

Cape Lookout - another excellent beach; great hiking opportunities, especially the trail out to the end of the cape, close to Tillamook in case you get a craving for a Tillamook Cheeseburger. Wide variety of accommodations - travel trailer, yurt, tent and cabins.

My overall favorite is Cape Lookout.

[lumiwa]

Originally Posted by Jillaceae

Of the campgrounds you listed, my favorite is Cape Lookout, because I really like the beach that it is on, and also the beach isn't that crowded, which is very nice.

We are going camping to the Cape Lookout end of the June. What is temperature of the ocean this time, please?
are there areas that we could fishing?

Thank you.

[Jillaceae]

The temperature of the ocean in Oregon is generally pretty cold year round (50's in the summer???). It is a wading ocean, not a swimming ocean.

I am not sure on the fishing. It depends on what type you are looking for, but usually people on the coast fish in the bays. You might even be able to fish in Netrat's Bay, which is right about Cape Lookout. If not, there is always the Tillamook Bay.

And you must go the the Tillamook cheese factory! $2 waffle cones! Plus the cheese.

[pdxMIKEpdx]

Nehalem Bay is an excellent state park, easy access to the bay and the beach, great facilities, but all in all is just a big state park on the beach with tons of people.
That being said, it's my favorite north coast state park to RV in and if you like crabbing and things like that, it's great!!

Cape Lookout is the same but makes up for any drawbacks with the beautiful scenery.
Cape Lookout is also farther north of Nehalem Bay, so you can save an hour or so of driving going north.

Fort Stevens is also similar to the other two, but there is quite a bit of history there.
It's the farthst north, almost in Astoria.
For some reason, I've always found Ft Stevens to be a little to "busy for my tastes, so I don't go there too much.

After all this rambling, I guess google is the place to start, combined with State of Oregon: Oregon Parks and Recreation Department: State Parks

I guess the barenekkid truth is.............There all good!

[mdvaden]

We just decided to go to Nehalem Bay for a night, at the end of June. Managed to snatch a campsite in B Loop registering online. Squeeked it in just in time, as the campground is thickly reserved on weekends. Seems that some of the campground may be first come - first serve, but I don't remember for sure.

It's my favorite on the west coast.

Should be a great change. I went there continually, and got sidetracked to Harris Beach and the redwoods for several years after we moved to south Oregon. Now we are back.

When are thinking about heading over to the coast?

Maybe you have already gone. Just noticed this thread is older and recently bumped with replies.