Northwest Coast

[VTLee]

We are planning on touring the northwest coast in 2016. We will be traveling from the east coast and have never been west of Utah so will need some advice. The only time that we can go is in April and early May so my question, is that too early? It looks like it will be wet but will it be too wet to do some hiking and site seeing? Planning on going north from San Francisco up Rt.1 and 101 to the Olympic peninsula and then heading to Canada and Glacier National Park before heading home at the end of May. We are debating what to take as we have a pickup camper and a 5th. wheel. Would the pickup camper be better on Rt. 1 and 101? Advice from those of you familiar with the northwest would be greatly appreciated.

[rhagfo]

dschamp wrote:
There's never a bad time to visit the Oregon coast. Sure, it will have a fair number of windy and wet days (you'll find the best weather in late July, August and early September), but it can also be very pleasant and warm (60s and even 70s) especially in the Brookings and Gold Beach areas.

So true, we have spent many a 1st of the year on the coast, have reservations again this year.
If worried about the rain bring some good rain gear. The coast is it's best during a storm!!!

[dschamp]

There's never a bad time to visit the Oregon coast. Sure, it will have a fair number of windy and wet days (you'll find the best weather in late July, August and early September), but it can also be very pleasant and warm (60s and even 70s) especially in the Brookings and Gold Beach areas.

[coastie_family]

If you are going to be staying in the area of Seattle, you will have to have reservations. I work at Issaquah Village RV Park a couple of days a week and we turn away from 500 to 1,000 people a week from April to September because there aren't enough parks in the area for the demand. It will be worse in 2016 because one park closed and the property has been sold. Another park just recently sold but we don't know when they are actually going out of business.

We are only 15 minutes east of Seattle and a quick drive to Seattle in order to do the touristy stuff. So, please, make your reservations now!

[enblethen]

Only part of April you would need reservations would be spring break. That should be first part.

[2gypsies1]

No, you won't need reservations during the week. We've done it often with a 40' motorhome.

[VTLee]

Very good info. One last question - Other than Fort Warden in Port Townsend, will we need reservations weekdays in April and May? We like to ramble around and that is hard to do if you have to have reservations for everyplace.

[Roy_Lynne]

Perfect time to come. I don't think there is a more beautiful State than Washington in May when all the Roddies are out in bloom, but then I'm a little prejudice. Also you should be able to see migrating shore birds by the millions, and whales also.
Coming up 101, make sure you check out the Redwoods as there is nothing so majestic as seeing those trees. Stay at Jedediah Smith State Park if you can. In Oregon, pick one or two of their State Parks cause you just can hardly go wrong with any of them and make sure you visit some of the lighthouses. Don't pass Tillamook without stopping for an ice cream cone,(you will see the Tillamook Cheese building with the tons of cars and RV parked around it.) Spend some time in Astoria and get a history lesson about Lewis and Clark.
Camping at Cape Disappointment will not disappoint .Also coming up the coast, stop at Ruby Beach, its just a day use pull out but you won't be disappointed at all. If you don't have a camera, your phone will do.
If you have a passport or enhanced drivers licence, walking on the ferry to Victoria (in Port Angeles) just for a day trip is worth both the time and the money. If you can spend a few days there, you will not need a car at all, as most is in walking distance of the pier. Dungenous Spit is a nice place to streatch your legs.
Port Townsend is also a must see, the town and Fort Warden are both good bets and if you can get reservations at Fort Warden all the better.
Happy travels.

[littlemo]

About going to Glacier, remember the Going-to-the-sun road won't be open until probably June.

[Bigdog]

I have pulled a 32' Cougar TT with a Excursion all the way from L.A. up 101 to 1 and then north to S.F with no problem and yhrn from S.F. north all the way to Wash. I did pull a 27' TT with my Suburban from San Rafael to Olema and then all the way up 1 Leggett on 1 and there were several curves that got a bit tight, but only because there was some idiots in their MHs heading south that were cutting the corners.
Do not try the run from S.F. to Olema pulling anything. In fact even tour buses can only go a certain distance up that route.

[D_E_Bishop]

I am going to add to the recommended sites to see, Kalaloch Campground on the West side of the Olympic Peninsula and the Ho Rain Forest.

Kalaloch(pronounced Clay Lock) might be tight for your rig and most likely will require disconnecting the truck. We have enjoyed the campground and surrounding environment since our girls were tweens.

The Ho is beautiful and while you probably won't see Mick Dodge:W, not much filming during the rain, it is beautiful. That time of year the campground may not be open and the resident elk herd should be around.

Forks was the site of a TV show about vampires and such and is a quaint little town. It is a very short drive from Kalaloch. Up in the very N/W corner of Washington State is the Makah Indian Reservation. Mick Dodge goes there for natural medicines and healing:R.

You could spend a week there with all the attractions, beachcombing is good that time of year as the winter storms have brought flotsam and jetsam onto the beaches. There is a very nice State campground just East of Port Angelus and it is easy to see Hurricane Ridge from there as well as a day trip to Vancouver Island.

Port Angelus is famous for Dungeness crabs as are parts of the OR coast.

I'd better stop now or you family and friends back East will wonder why you didn't return when you said you would. Good travels and safety in everything.

[TyroneandGladys]

Loved Wrights Beach Campground at Sonoma Coast State Park. North of San Francisco about 80 miles. It was then an easy drive up to Redwood National Park. Then kicking off the drives and stays along the Oregon and Washington Coast.

[Islandman]

Highway 1 is really something to see, but I'd leave the 5er behind when you drive that route on the northern segment (north of San Francisco), US 101 is a fine road and will present no problems for either rig you are considering. Highway 1 south of Monterey is OK for your 5er, nice scenery down by Hearst Castle and viewing the elephant seals on the beach is something to add to your journey. Nice private RV park in Paso Robles to the east of Morro Bay and San Simeon. Don't think your'e going to have any trouble getting a campsite during weekdays, but Fri/Sat nights might be a problem along the Oregon coast close to the Portland area. Should be no problem down by Brookings area though. Fuel up in Brookings before heading into California, save a few bucks!

[rhagfo]

VTLee wrote:
Thanks all for your advice. Very helpful and keep it coming.

Youjr 5er is only 29' I would not worry about it on highway 1, trucks run 101 and Highway 1 a PU and 29" 5er should be fine.

[VTLee]

Thanks all for your advice. Very helpful and keep it coming.