Northern CA thru Oregon and Washington

check out this web site http://freecampsites.net/

redwingfans wrote:
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. 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,

Forget boon docking all the coast in Ca., Oregon or Washington:( Look up all the state parks in each of these states and start making your reservations well in advance i.e 2-3 months, of your arrival dates. Especially in the summer months. Reservations can always be cancelled or changed but if the RV park is full when you arrive it is a BIG problem for you:(:(

We did that trip last summer in June. As has been stated, almost no place to boondock. And you REALLY need reservations ahead of time. We found a possible in Oregon when looking for a remote beach to run the dogs. BUT, there were already a moderate number of "economically disadvantaged full timers" camped there, with their beat down equipment and piles of trash. Got to see local police in action politely requiring them to move on. Good thing we were already established in a State Park, and were obviously tourists on a day trip.

One possibility just occurred to me -- Mattole Beach Campground, on the Lost Coast of California. Very difficult drive to get there, but your Class B should be able to do it, no problem. Remote, quiet, chilly, great beach for walking and beachcombing. The surf is pretty dangerous, though. And there are sharks -- no kidding!

I use this site and use it in my GPS: http://www.ultimatecampgrounds.com/uc/index.php It includes all public campgrounds as well as dispersed camping.

I remembered seeing some BLM land in Southern Oregon (BLM Coos Bay Area - Loon Lake Recreation Site) that had camping but even they want $18 dollars a night. I think if you want free sites you'll need to stay away from the coast. BUT saying that, there are a few pretty nice places for $20 and under.

mockturtle wrote:
I use this site and use it in my GPS: http://www.ultimatecampgrounds.com/uc/index.php It includes all public campgrounds as well as dispersed camping.

Thanks for this.


Gary Haupt

Thanks for the ideas. we use BLM, National and State Forest and Parks a lot. We have not stayed in a private campground in years. Finding a local campground can some times be the real prize. We will be leaving the SF area in early May, and have 6 weeks to get back to Michigan.

We have traveled highway 1 as far north as Fort Bragg many times. From there north it will be a new experience for us. Points of interest along the way include the: Lake Shasta, specifically, Lower Salt Creek, CA Lost Coast - Kings Range National Conservation Area, BLM lands just north of the CA, OR border, city owned campground in Brookings OR will be asking for a front row spot. Crater Lake just north of the lake in the NF,OR State Parks and forest (still trying to digest the long list if you have a favorite let me know.) Still looking for ideas for Washington, do know that we want to go the the Olympic NF.
Keep the ideas coming. Thanks Again

garyhaupt wrote:

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

Gary you seem to think a lot like my wife and I, we simple love finding that "hidy-hole", local campground/overnight parking at the beach, SUPER FOOD (would like to know more on this), camping on jetties (can you provide the name of the State Park on the Columbia?), oh logging side roads been there done that and will do it many more times. We will be taking our time on this part of the trip keep your ideas flowing. Happy Travels

Redwingfans: The name of the campground on the Columbia River is Cape Dissapointment State Park. It is next to the fishing town of Ilwaco, WA. I was just there a few weeks ago, and it is quite nice. About 2.3 miles of beach and you can walk out almost to the end of the jetty and be as far SW as one can be in WA. You reach it from the south by crossing the Astoria bridge.

It's really tough finding inexpensive camping in WA state. In Ocean Shores you can stay free at the Quinalt Casino, at the north end of town. Zero amentities, but if you go to the south end and back up to to the berm you'd have a panoramic view of the surf. You need to register at the casino once you get there. There's a nice State Park at Grayland, one at Ocean City (1 mile from Quinalt Casino), and one further north at Pacific Beach. They fill up fast - here's a link to reserve: https://washington.goingtocamp.com/Home.aspx

Further north on hwy 101 is Kalaloch, check for "South Beach", it's only $12 (or maybe $10 per night) but no reservations as it is NPS. Incredible ocean views.