We will be making our first trip to Oregon in Mid May. There is so much to see and we know that we cannot see it all. We do know that we would like to see the Coast as well as Crater Lake National Park. I have read that it is best to see the coast from north to south. We will be coming into Oregon from Redwood National Park CA like I said about May 15. Not sure how busy it will be so will heading up Hwy 101 in a 40 foot motor home from the south be a problem? Also will we need to make our reservations for our whole trip in advance? Not sure if they allow boondocking along the Oregon Coast or not. Any must stay at campgrounds along the coast that might have a spectacular view? We are thinking about getting on 101 at Harbor and getting off at Florence. We tried doing a search but could not find the information that we had hoped to. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

Oregon trip!1. Make your reservations "today"! Oregon RV parks are very impacted in the spring and summer months. The RV parks, especially the State Parks, are frequently full during the weekends by those living in Oregon. This makes staying for a week or more difficult.2. RV parks and areas I like to stay. Winchester Bay, Coos Bay, Florence, Newport, Tilamuck, Cannyon Beach, Seaside.

The North entrance to Crater Lake will most likely still be closed due to snow in mid-May. I've never been thru there at that time of the year when it wasn't.

Don't think you will have any problems finding a camping spot in the OR SP's in May, unless it's on a weekend, therefore I wouldn't bother with reservations. You're beating the heavy use time which is after school lets out. All OR SP's are fine, good showers and nicely laid out sites. One of our favorites is Harris Beach immediately north of Brookings OR. Buy your fuel in OR, a lot cheaper than CA where you'll be coming from. Take US 101 all the way up to Astoria, then cut over to I-5 thru WA, avoid the Portland area traffic during commute hours if you're in that area.

You might want to consider heading further north. Some spectacular scenery north of Florence. State Parks might be a problem getting into on a weekend without a reservation. Sunset Bay, Tugman, South Beach, Beverly Beach, Fort Stevens, all State parks, all very nice. Ya I know lots of folks recommend north to south but not that big a deal . Have done it both ways many times.

The only limitations going south to north are that you miss some of the views, you cannot cross the highway to some view points. Either way it is one of our favorite trips. I took a buggy trip on the dunes at Florence, most fun I have had for thirty bucks. Take a p&s camera in a zippered pocket for the stops, you will have sand in places you didn't know you have.

First Trip to Oregon | Good Sam Community

rollexx
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
You might want to consider heading further north. Some spectacular scenery north of Florence. State Parks might be a problem getting into on a weekend without a reservation. Sunset Bay, Tugman, South Beach, Beverly Beach, Fort Stevens, all State parks, all very nice. Ya I know lots of folks recommend north to south but not that big a deal . Have done it both ways many times.
Islandman
Explorer
Feb 23, 2014
Don't think you will have any problems finding a camping spot in the OR SP's in May, unless it's on a weekend, therefore I wouldn't bother with reservations. You're beating the heavy use time which is after school lets out. All OR SP's are fine, good showers and nicely laid out sites. One of our favorites is Harris Beach immediately north of Brookings OR. Buy your fuel in OR, a lot cheaper than CA where you'll be coming from. Take US 101 all the way up to Astoria, then cut over to I-5 thru WA, avoid the Portland area traffic during commute hours if you're in that area.
bob_nestor
Explorer III
Feb 23, 2014
The North entrance to Crater Lake will most likely still be closed due to snow in mid-May. I've never been thru there at that time of the year when it wasn't.
MarkTwain
Explorer
Feb 23, 2014
Oregon trip!
1. Make your reservations "today"! Oregon RV parks are very impacted in the spring and summer months. The RV parks, especially the State Parks, are frequently full during the weekends by those living in Oregon. This makes staying for a week or more difficult.
2. RV parks and areas I like to stay. Winchester Bay, Coos Bay, Florence, Newport, Tilamuck, Cannyon Beach, Seaside.

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