Forum Discussion

Craig95005's avatar
Craig95005
Explorer
Jun 09, 2016

California to Port Townsend, WA and back

In July we'll be going in our motorhome from the Santa Cruz, CA area up to Port Townsend, WA, and then returning. We've made that trip before, and the Oregon coast is so beautiful that we'll do that again on one leg, but either coming or going we'd like to explore other options, perhaps further inland.

Any suggestions as to must-see attractions, great RV parks, interesting routes?

By the way, the Point Hudson Marina and RV park in Port Townsend is one of the great campgrounds. The physical sites are only average but the views of the bay and the proximity to the charming town are wonderful.
Roads and Routes

8 Replies

  • paulj's avatar
    paulj
    Explorer II
    Jun 10, 2016
    Besides the coast there are 2 main NS routes, I5 and US97. One runs through the most populated parts of Oregon and Washington. There are cities, but there are also lesser roads and side trips. The other skirts the east side of the Cascades, with pine forests in the south, a dry stretch in northern Oregon, and modest pass in Washington after crossing the Columbia River.

    There are about a dozen highways that cross between the 3.

    Oregon has Crater Lake NP, Washington has Mt Rainier NP and Mt St Helens NM. Both have lots of National Forests, and lots of state parks.
  • 2gypsies1's avatar
    2gypsies1
    Explorer III
    Jun 10, 2016
    An alternate one-way would be Mt. St. Helens. Take Hwy 12 and there's a nice national forest campground on 131 at Randle on the back side then drive up to Windy Ridge Viewpoint (not with the RV) Then you could explore, from the same campground, Mt. Rainier NP by taking Hwy 12 near Packwood and get to it from the back side.

    Backtrack on Hwy 12 westbound to Hwy 7 north into Tacoma and the Olympic Peninsula.
  • Marine_By_Choic's avatar
    Marine_By_Choic
    Explorer
    Jun 10, 2016
    RWjSIM2003 wrote:
    Just off I-5 on Hwy 12 in Washington about 30 miles. Three great WA state Campgrounds on two nice lakes. MAyfeild, Mossyrock and Tadnipan. short day trips to Rainer and MT St Helens from there.


    Also Ike Kinswa park near those
  • corvettekent's avatar
    corvettekent
    Explorer
    Jun 09, 2016
    My mother grew up in the "Frank Hastings House" in Port Townsend. Her parents ran a boarding house there.
  • RWjSIM2003's avatar
    RWjSIM2003
    Explorer
    Jun 09, 2016
    Just off I-5 on Hwy 12 in Washington about 30 miles. Three great WA state Campgrounds on two nice lakes. MAyfeild, Mossyrock and Tadnipan. short day trips to Rainer and MT St Helens from there.
  • Marine_By_Choic's avatar
    Marine_By_Choic
    Explorer
    Jun 09, 2016
    I prefer the Oregon & Washington coasts on the southbound route. That way when utilizing turnouts to see the beautiful things one does not have to cross lanes.

    Crater lake is great. Seven Feathers RV park is on I-5 at Canyonville in Southern Oregon. Central Oregon does not become "central" until one crosses over the Cascades.

    The Oregon State Parks system is great. US-97 through Central Oregon has great views of mountains. The state park at Lapine is really nice. Also The Cove State Park between Redmond and Madras is great. Both get really busy in the summer, so reservations are recommended.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Jun 09, 2016
    The 101 up the WA coast is nice. I like Kalaloch campground, but for big rigs it's a challenge.
  • aerbus32's avatar
    aerbus32
    Explorer II
    Jun 09, 2016
    Lots between there. First two things that come to mind are 1.) Seven Feathers RV on I-5 in Central Oregon. Not really much around it, but most agree it is one of the best on the West Coast. 2.) Crater Lake.

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