We'll be camping along the Oregon Coast next month and plan to stay at Cape Blanco State Park. We're interested in moving North partway through the week, to another first-come, first-served campsite. We're open to anything between Port Orford and Lincoln City. We don't need hook-ups or amenities of any kind. We prefer primitive campsites that offer privacy and seclusion. Any suggestions? Heartfelt thanks!

try this site. Someone please make a clicky!http://www.oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=reserve.dsp_firstcome

Thank you, Paula! :) I've been to the state park site, but besides Cape Blanco the only other first-come, first-served state park along the coast is Carl G. Washburn. We checked that one out on a dunes drip last month and the sites are tiny and very close together, with barely a spindly tree or two between you and your neighbors. We're picky about privacy and I know it's a tall order given the destination. BUT, I thought it was worth asking. RV.netters know their stuff and have pointed me to some awesome places. Thanks again for the suggestion!

This site may be of more help as it shows federal, state, county and city locations.US CampgroundsThere is a forest service site across from Darlingtonia State Wayside north of Florence. Not many know about it. Sutton Campground

The forest service campgrounds inland will be more primitive than the state parks. But check with the districts. Concessionaire operated ones might be on the ReserveAmerica network.http://www.reserveamerica.com/Even if you don't reserve with them, the site gives details that you might not get on the FS site, including a sense of how full/reserved they will be for your target days.

Sutton is a short distance to the beach. It has been improved in the last few years.

First-come, first served campsites along Oregon Coast

BillAnn_C
Explorer
Jul 20, 2015
You might check out the Siltcoos area south of Florence. Waxmyrtle and the Lagoon forest campgrounds. You can hear Atv's at the campgrounds. There is hiking to the beach area and kayaking on the river.
Lauren
Explorer
Jul 18, 2015
Clicky ... was asked for but I do not see it - could be old guy eyesight though ! :-)

http://www.oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=reserve.dsp_firstcome
rhagfo
Explorer III
Jul 18, 2015
ktmrfs wrote:
most oregon state park campgrounds will have spots avaiable on a first come first serve during the week. we do this all the time. especially tues, wed and thursday. So given your plans to find spots during the week, you should be able to find something.

However, weekends are another issue, usually reserved full well in advance. your only hope is finding a camground where there is either a cancellation or a no show from the previous night, which cancels the remaining reservation.

the other option are some of the county parks, which very often have sites available and some are first come first serve. Many don't use reserve america, but a local number so they often aren't known about except for us locals.

X2 to these thoughts!

The Oregon SP, are VERY popular during the summer, you might get a cancellation. You can also reserve a site for the next day up to Midnight PDT the day before.
astraelraen
Explorer
Jul 14, 2015
Like ktmrfs said, I would try the county park system as well. We didn't have good luck planning our trip at any of the reservation parks.

We tried Bastendorff Beach Park 2 years ago, it's run by Coos County. It was first come first serve at that time and nice.
ktmrfs
Explorer II
Jul 12, 2015
most oregon state park campgrounds will have spots avaiable on a first come first serve during the week. we do this all the time. especially tues, wed and thursday. So given your plans to find spots during the week, you should be able to find something.

However, weekends are another issue, usually reserved full well in advance. your only hope is finding a camground where there is either a cancellation or a no show from the previous night, which cancels the remaining reservation.

the other option are some of the county parks, which very often have sites available and some are first come first serve. Many don't use reserve america, but a local number so they often aren't known about except for us locals.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Jul 11, 2015
Even with our 40' motorhome we've just driven up to the state parks along the coast and have gotten a site without reservations. Folks cancel daily. There are a couple nice forest service campground around Florence but can't recall the names at the moment - a much-photographed lighthouse (at which we gave tours). We've been at Cape Blanco often and rarely saw it full. It's one of our favorites - nice and quiet, not a congested area, beautiful beach and lovely lighthouse.

Pull in early morning and you'll find sites.
SwanInWA
Explorer
Jul 11, 2015
cpaulsen wrote:
And also....Cape Blanco is almost always full during the summer even without the music festival.

Planning to show up early Wednesday morning and hopeful to find an open spot. It worked for us last year, so fingers crossed. :) Wherever we go, we pretty much always show up on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning. So far, it's worked out pretty well.
cpaulsen
Explorer
Jul 11, 2015
And also....Cape Blanco is almost always full during the summer even without the music festival.
SwanInWA
Explorer
Jul 11, 2015
Thank you for the great suggestions and links everyone, I will check out everything. And to korbe -- thank goodness we're not going that weeekend -- I never even thought to check! Good reminder for me and very much appreciated.
korbe
Explorer
Jul 11, 2015
Just a heads up. Cape Blanco will be next to a festival around the 1st of August. I'm guessing the park will be packed.