My DW and I will be traveling north from the SF, wanting to stay along the coast. Then on up through Oregon and Washington along the coast before we turn east along the northern border states. We will be leaving SF in early May. I will do a separate posting for the northern states. Would any of you like to share your ideas for Boondocking and/or Dry Camping along the west coast? We know that ocean front locations are few and far between so we do do not expect to receive many of those. Our class B can get into some pretty rough places, and we are not limited by time. Thanks in advance. Happy Travels,

Boondocking along the coast is next to impossible. Just no available land. The good news, there are lots of wonderful state parks. Visit them.

Don thanks for the quick reply, We are well aware of how hard it is going to be to find "Boondocking and/or Dry Camping". We looking for ideas for both Boondocking and/or Dry Camping!! If you are aware of primitive State Parks, feel free to provided them too.

We do a lot of dry camping in forest service campgrounds and a lot of boondocking within the national forests. However, Not many national forests along the coast. Many of the california state parks have dry camping, but the Oregon state parks that I'm aware of include water and power hookups.IMHO, all the coastal boondocking areas are long gone because of the homeless problem that took advantage of the ability.

If you are going to Crater Lake, there is some great boondocking just north of the lake in the national forest. Depending on the season, you may need mosquito juice, though. Please don't ask me how I know that.

There is simply not a lot of choices on the coast. Even common places like WalMarts are off limits on the coast. Because it is so busy police and forest service rangers patrol heavily for illegal campers. There are just so many nice opportunities on the coast, just start picking some.

Northern CA thru Oregon and Washington | Good Sam Community

donn0128
Explorer II
Apr 20, 2015
Boondocking along the coast is next to impossible. Just no available land. The good news, there are lots of wonderful state parks. Visit them.
redwingfans
Explorer
Apr 20, 2015
Don thanks for the quick reply, We are well aware of how hard it is going to be to find "Boondocking and/or Dry Camping". We looking for ideas for both Boondocking and/or Dry Camping!! If you are aware of primitive State Parks, feel free to provided them too.
korbe
Explorer
Apr 20, 2015
We do a lot of dry camping in forest service campgrounds and a lot of boondocking within the national forests. However, Not many national forests along the coast. Many of the california state parks have dry camping, but the Oregon state parks that I'm aware of include water and power hookups.

IMHO, all the coastal boondocking areas are long gone because of the homeless problem that took advantage of the ability.
profdant139
Explorer II
Apr 20, 2015
If you are going to Crater Lake, there is some great boondocking just north of the lake in the national forest. Depending on the season, you may need mosquito juice, though. Please don't ask me how I know that.
donn0128
Explorer II
Apr 20, 2015
There is simply not a lot of choices on the coast. Even common places like WalMarts are off limits on the coast. Because it is so busy police and forest service rangers patrol heavily for illegal campers. There are just so many nice opportunities on the coast, just start picking some.
Y-Guy
Moderator
Apr 20, 2015
You might check with the Casinos along the Oregon Coast to see if they allow boondocking. I did see that The Mill charges $15/night for the gravel lot.

Chinook Winds
1777 N.W. 44th Street
Lincoln City
541-996-5825
http://www.chinookwindscasino.com
Toll-Free 888-CHINOOK

Spirit Mountain
Hwy 18
Grand Ronde
503-879-2350
http://www.spiritmountain.com
Toll-Free 800-760-7977

Three Rivers
5647 Highway 126
Florence
541-997-7529
http://www.threeriverscasino.com
Toll-Free 877-374-8377

The Mill
3201 Tremont Avenue
North Bend
541-756-8800
http://www.themillcasino.com
Toll-Free 800-953-4800
garyhaupt
Explorer
Apr 20, 2015
Such a nice drive. You haven't mentioned just when. The coast will be crazy busy starting mid-June and thru till September. Still and all..if that is when you are going...it'll be great!

Depending on you folk..there is no shortage of boondocking but you have to get good maps and look some miles inland. There is nothing on the coast at all, other than the odd hidy-hole. There are a couple..one I can think of...parking areas operated by local towns in Oregon, that allow for paid camping in the parking lot itself. It's pretty basic, but hey...right on the beach.

There is just no end of good places to explore. You really want to be able to just take your time. And, spitting distance from the Ca./Or. border is a outlet liquor store, if you imbibe, in Ca. Stop there. And, just for one night..plan on stopping..in fact, make a reservation, at the city owned campground in Brookings, Or. Ask for a front row spot. You will be putting me in your will.

Super foods to be found...oh man...now I wanna go too...

Are you heading into Washington too? There is really limited access to the Wa. coast but what there is is fabulous. Great state park right at the jetty on the Columbia and if you ARE going there, tell me and I'll give you the two primo site #'s in there.

Google maps are also the cats meow...being able to drive a road off into the weeds. Much of Oregon has a rich history of logging. Where there is logging, there are side roads.

Gary Haupt
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Apr 20, 2015
National forests are your best bet for dry camping. We use this publication all the time. It have good directions and their descriptions are pretty accurate as this couple has visited these campgrounds:

Dow's Forest Camping Guide
enblethen
Nomad
Apr 20, 2015
You might look at this site.
US.campgrounds.info
mockturtle
Explorer II
Apr 21, 2015
I just boondocked for several days at a NFS dispersed camping area on Lake Shasta, specifically, Lower Salt Creek near Lakehead, CA. It was free since it isn't open with services yet. All they ask is that you pack your garbage out (I wish other people had heeded the sign. I packed out several sacks of their garbage.:M) It's a very pretty spot but near a RR trestle, otherwise quiet. I'm planning on some NFS stops along the Oregon coast, too. They may not be free but with my ATB pass they are very affordable. This is the best site for NFS information NFS Camping but you will want to check the USFS web site for updates.