First-come, first served campsites along Oregon Coast

[SwanInWA]

We'll be camping along the Oregon Coast next month and plan to stay at Cape Blanco State Park. We're interested in moving North partway through the week, to another first-come, first-served campsite. We're open to anything between Port Orford and Lincoln City. We don't need hook-ups or amenities of any kind. We prefer primitive campsites that offer privacy and seclusion. Any suggestions? Heartfelt thanks!

[BillAnn_C]

You might check out the Siltcoos area south of Florence. Waxmyrtle and the Lagoon forest campgrounds. You can hear Atv's at the campgrounds. There is hiking to the beach area and kayaking on the river.

[Lauren]

Clicky ... was asked for but I do not see it - could be old guy eyesight though ! 🙂

http://www.oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=reserve.dsp_firstcome

[rhagfo]

ktmrfs wrote:
most oregon state park campgrounds will have spots avaiable on a first come first serve during the week. we do this all the time. especially tues, wed and thursday. So given your plans to find spots during the week, you should be able to find something.

However, weekends are another issue, usually reserved full well in advance. your only hope is finding a camground where there is either a cancellation or a no show from the previous night, which cancels the remaining reservation.

the other option are some of the county parks, which very often have sites available and some are first come first serve. Many don't use reserve america, but a local number so they often aren't known about except for us locals.

X2 to these thoughts!

The Oregon SP, are VERY popular during the summer, you might get a cancellation. You can also reserve a site for the next day up to Midnight PDT the day before.

[astraelraen]

Like ktmrfs said, I would try the county park system as well. We didn't have good luck planning our trip at any of the reservation parks.

We tried Bastendorff Beach Park 2 years ago, it's run by Coos County. It was first come first serve at that time and nice.

[ktmrfs]

most oregon state park campgrounds will have spots avaiable on a first come first serve during the week. we do this all the time. especially tues, wed and thursday. So given your plans to find spots during the week, you should be able to find something.

However, weekends are another issue, usually reserved full well in advance. your only hope is finding a camground where there is either a cancellation or a no show from the previous night, which cancels the remaining reservation.

the other option are some of the county parks, which very often have sites available and some are first come first serve. Many don't use reserve america, but a local number so they often aren't known about except for us locals.

[2gypsies1]

Even with our 40' motorhome we've just driven up to the state parks along the coast and have gotten a site without reservations. Folks cancel daily. There are a couple nice forest service campground around Florence but can't recall the names at the moment - a much-photographed lighthouse (at which we gave tours). We've been at Cape Blanco often and rarely saw it full. It's one of our favorites - nice and quiet, not a congested area, beautiful beach and lovely lighthouse.

Pull in early morning and you'll find sites.

[SwanInWA]

cpaulsen wrote:
And also....Cape Blanco is almost always full during the summer even without the music festival.

Planning to show up early Wednesday morning and hopeful to find an open spot. It worked for us last year, so fingers crossed. 🙂 Wherever we go, we pretty much always show up on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning. So far, it's worked out pretty well.

[cpaulsen]

And also....Cape Blanco is almost always full during the summer even without the music festival.

[SwanInWA]

Thank you for the great suggestions and links everyone, I will check out everything. And to korbe -- thank goodness we're not going that weeekend -- I never even thought to check! Good reminder for me and very much appreciated.

[korbe]

Just a heads up. Cape Blanco will be next to a festival around the 1st of August. I'm guessing the park will be packed.

[enblethen]

Sutton is a short distance to the beach. It has been improved in the last few years.

[paulj]

The forest service campgrounds inland will be more primitive than the state parks. But check with the districts. Concessionaire operated ones might be on the ReserveAmerica network.

http://www.reserveamerica.com/

Even if you don't reserve with them, the site gives details that you might not get on the FS site, including a sense of how full/reserved they will be for your target days.

[enblethen]

This site may be of more help as it shows federal, state, county and city locations.
US Campgrounds
There is a forest service site across from Darlingtonia State Wayside north of Florence. Not many know about it. Sutton Campground

[SwanInWA]

Thank you, Paula! 🙂 I've been to the state park site, but besides Cape Blanco the only other first-come, first-served state park along the coast is Carl G. Washburn. We checked that one out on a dunes drip last month and the sites are tiny and very close together, with barely a spindly tree or two between you and your neighbors.

We're picky about privacy and I know it's a tall order given the destination. BUT, I thought it was worth asking. RV.netters know their stuff and have pointed me to some awesome places. Thanks again for the suggestion!