Hello,My wife and I live near Daytona, Fl and after seeing most of the East and Midwest have decided to venture further West while we can.Plans for this June/July are to travel North to North Dakota, then West through Montana, Idaho, into Washington, then South through Oregon & California, with most of the time being spent in Washington and Oregon.My question is general in nature. Would I have trouble getting into state parks or private parks without reservations in Washington and Oregon, as our time frame is unknown at the day level, where we would be.We're traveling in a 38' fifth wheel

June/July will be difficult for state parks. National parks, Forest service and private parks would be easier.Try to avoid weekends. If your schedule can be changed , much easier in May for Wa/Or.

Don't forget about County Parks--there are quite a few in Calif. and seem to be not as crowded or in demand. Lars

Yes we had trouble getting into a Oregon Park in February - the coast is so mild a climate that you can camp there all year round. We have spent 11 weeks on the Oregon coast in the winter in the past two years.Yes get reservations - you will find about only two decent state parks on the Washington Coast

...and from the other side...we've stopped at state parks along the Oregon coast often without reservations in May to mid-June and Aug/Sept. We had a 40' motorhome at the time. As mentioned, weekends are busy. We planned it so we arrived on Sunday afternoon or Monday. If unable to stay through the weekend we had already sought out other options such a forest campgrounds (arriving early Friday), a casino, county park or as a last resort a private park. We even found a few boondocking spots along the way. It just takes research.

2gypsies has it pretty correct, you shouldn't have much trouble during the week at OR and WA state parks. We travel like you do, play it by ear and don't put up with the hassle of reservations, makes for a lot more freedom in your travel. Don't have to be in a hurry to get to your next destination. USFS, BLM, and county CG's are easier for nonres camping.

North West trip | Good Sam Community

enblethen
Nomad
Dec 04, 2015
June/July will be difficult for state parks. National parks, Forest service and private parks would be easier.
Try to avoid weekends.
If your schedule can be changed , much easier in May for Wa/Or.
lhenry8113
Explorer
Dec 04, 2015
Don't forget about County Parks--there are quite a few in Calif. and seem to be not as crowded or in demand. Lars
rr2254545
Explorer
Dec 04, 2015
Yes we had trouble getting into a Oregon Park in February - the coast is so mild a climate that you can camp there all year round. We have spent 11 weeks on the Oregon coast in the winter in the past two years.

Yes get reservations - you will find about only two decent state parks on the Washington Coast
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Dec 05, 2015
...and from the other side...we've stopped at state parks along the Oregon coast often without reservations in May to mid-June and Aug/Sept. We had a 40' motorhome at the time. As mentioned, weekends are busy. We planned it so we arrived on Sunday afternoon or Monday. If unable to stay through the weekend we had already sought out other options such a forest campgrounds (arriving early Friday), a casino, county park or as a last resort a private park. We even found a few boondocking spots along the way. It just takes research.
Islandman
Explorer
Dec 05, 2015
2gypsies has it pretty correct, you shouldn't have much trouble during the week at OR and WA state parks. We travel like you do, play it by ear and don't put up with the hassle of reservations, makes for a lot more freedom in your travel. Don't have to be in a hurry to get to your next destination. USFS, BLM, and county CG's are easier for nonres camping.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Dec 05, 2015
2gypsies wrote:
...and from the other side...we've stopped at state parks along the Oregon coast often without reservations in May to mid-June and Aug/Sept. We had a 40' motorhome at the time. As mentioned, weekends are busy. We planned it so we arrived on Sunday afternoon or Monday. If unable to stay through the weekend we had already sought out other options such a forest campgrounds (arriving early Friday), a casino, county park or as a last resort a private park. We even found a few boondocking spots along the way. It just takes research.
X2
rhagfo
Explorer III
Dec 05, 2015
rr2254545 wrote:
Yes we had trouble getting into a Oregon Park in February - the coast is so mild a climate that you can camp there all year round. We have spent 11 weeks on the Oregon coast in the winter in the past two years.

Yes get reservations - you will find about only two decent state parks on the Washington Coast

X2
Yes summer can be tough! Winter and spring are bad enough it is amazing how full SP are on weekends.
ksg5000
Explorer
Dec 05, 2015
My 02

Once school lets out finding a site in a State Park gets tougher - weekends often require reservations and even weekdays depending on the Park and the weather.
Blazing_Zippers
Explorer II
Dec 05, 2015
Our area is great!!! Try searching county fairgrounds, as some offer hookups. Port Townsend, WA has a nice fairground RV park.
Murphsmom
Explorer
Dec 05, 2015
River Bend County Park outside of Sweet Home OR has sites that would suit you. We have always made reservations when we were headed that way, but there seem to be open sites most of the time. We mostly use this park for our overnighters while on the way to the coast, but have spent a few days there a time or two, just to kick back and relax.