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

Bob___Ann
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
Thanks for all of the great input. Based on what we are hearing it sounds like it will be best to skip Crater National Park being it will be May. We might look at running up I 5 to Hwy 38 and cut over to Winchester Bay. Is hwy 38 okay for RVs? We will then head up the coast to Astoria. We will spend several nights in several locations along the way. Does this sound like a better plan?
Sinnettc
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
While it's not boondocking, there are some Forest Service campgrounds on the coast. Not sure if your RV will fit but it might be worth further research.

http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/pacficnw/sius.htm
donn0128
Explorer II
Feb 24, 2014
Bob & Ann wrote:
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.Very likely that this early you will not be able to get into the park. If you do the only road open will be from the west. And then likely only to the lodge 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?Mid May will be early season and should not be too busy. But be aware US101 is a major N/S road , albeit two lane. Also will we need to make our reservations for our whole trip in advance? YES, definitely yes make reservations. Now might be too late in some of the more popular parks.Not sure if they allow boon docking along the Oregon Coast or not.No, Boon docking is not going to be allowd unless you get way off the coast. And then I would not want to drive a 40 foot MH into the mountains in an attempt to find a secluded spot for the night. Read the horror stories of people why have tried to cross the coast range or get into the mountains and decide. 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.Like someone else mentioned you are going to miss so much of the coast. First stop in Oregon should be Brookings Harbor RV. Parking lot but the views more than make up for it. Cheap fuel at Fred Meyers in Brookings. Next should be Salmon Harbor at Winchester Bay. Probably the best park on the coast. Form there any of the state parks. We tried doing a search but could not find the information that we had hoped to. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

How much time do you have? If you have enough time, head all the way up the coast to Astoria and Ft Stevens State Park, nearby is Ft Clatsup, Lewis and Clarks winter fort 1805/6, wonderful Astoria and the mouth of the Columbia river. Ft Stevens is a historic military fort with a good museum. From here you can head inland on US30 toward Portland and the next part of your journey.
Lauren
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
DO NOT get off at Florence! Go at least to Cannon Beach !! We are headed back to OR Coast for 4th or 5th time this latter summer; love it.

For pix see www.LaurenBarbara.com Wanderings link on left and then Oregon
gat75
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
Don't know if you are going through Redcrest Calif, if so, you will like staying at Ancient Redwoods RV, right in RW forrest. They have a store stocked with all kinds of wood carvings.

Check out where the Klamath River flows into the ocean. This is just south of Crescent City. There are some high vantage points that are out of the world, You are looking down & watching the klamath & the pacific crash against each other.

Also, Hiouchi Rv Park is great place to stay, not far from Crescent City, Calif.

We stayed at Diamond Lake RV when we got to C-Lake. While parked there, we visited the Logging Museum, (located about 35 miles from C-Lake). This is a must see, don't cost nothing, is huge! Even DW was amazed at all the equipment, depicts logging from way back to current.
korbe
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
I always get a chuckle when I read the posts that say your trip will be much more enjoyable in a north to south direction. Appearently some people feel uneasy crossing the centerline of a two way road to enter a large turnout. IMHO, it will be just fine. And BTW, some state parks are already booked for the weekends.
diazr2
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
rr2254545 wrote:
If you are only going north to Florence you will miss alot of the coast.

We are spending 9 weeks on the Oregon coasst this winter
If your going to be here (on the coast) after Thanksgiving make sure to stop in and see Shore Acres. It's a spectacular light show and it's free.. It's truly a must see if you are here that time of the year.
rr2254545
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
If you are only going north to Florence you will miss alot of the coast.

We are spending 9 weeks on the Oregon coasst this winter
diazr2
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
You might want to make reservations at places like Harris Beach State Park that has a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean by Brookings and Bullards Beach State Park that has huge beautiful beaches to play on with you and your dogs. They fill up rather quickly. Just a heads up while traveling through our coast. Port Orford and Reedsport both have speed traps so watch your speed.
romore
Explorer II
Feb 24, 2014
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.

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