First Trip to Oregon

[Bob___Ann]

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.

[Lauren]

I agree with goducks10 completely! And some of the turnouts are on places where sight distance is limited. Go north to south.

On edit : typo only

[Us_out_West]

May 21st last year we did a 5 week trip up (NORTH) the Oregon Coast before exiting into WA on July 1.

Stays included Brookings, Charleston-Coos Bay, Winchester Bay, Beverly Beach SP near Newport, Garibaldi and Cannon Beach. Bunch of side trips of course like historic light houses, Tillamook Cheese Factory and more.

The Oregon coast is very scenic and we are going back again this Fall.

Feel free to check out our Trip Journal (link in our signature) for information on our stays.

Couple of sample pics;

View out the rear window at Brookings.



Short walk to the beach from site at Charleston-Coos Bay.



where you get this.



Winchester Bay was another great stop.



Oh...did we mention the fresh seafood??



They even help you pick out the Dungeness Crabs you want and then clean it for you too. Delicious!!!

[goducks10]

korbe wrote:
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.

Totally disagree. Having driven up and down the Oregon coast more times than I can remember. It's always tough to pull over to a turnout heading north. Heading south you just slide right in. When turning left into a turnout you could completely stop traffic which will be going 55 mph. And when getting back on the road you only have to deal with one lane of traffic.
Plus by heading north out of some of the turnouts you are going against the traffic coming in. There are numerous turnouts along 101 that are nothing more than a gravel pull thru just wide enough for one or two vehicles. It's tough to pull out heading north if someone wants in. It just creates less confusion if heading south on 101.
It's just more natural to head south on 101.

As far as Crater Lake goes, there's a good chance that it will be open as the snow levels are way down this year. But a late storm system could change that.

http://www.nps.gov/crla/planyourvisit/upload/Current-1web-274.pdf

[MarkTwain]

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?

Hwy. 38 is a great road for RVers. Enjoy the scenery. Strongly suggest you stay over at the 7 Feathers RV Resort. Beautiful and cost friendly park with 24 hr. shuttle service to the Casino. We always spend time at Winchester Bay RV Park. A little pricey but the ocean location and views make it worth while.

[donn0128]

If that be your plan, yes 38 is a great drive. Don't forget to stop outside of Reedsport at the elk viewing area. Personally I would forgoe I5 and just drive the entire coast. Just too much to see to miss any of it.
If the weather is cooperating, while at Winchester bay get one of the dune tours. There is a pretty good sea food place on the pier just across the boat basin from the park. Next stop north should be Netarts Bay rv park. A few miles west of Tillamook and right on the bay. The front section is older but offers fantastic views. The back section is pretty new and has 50 amp service, but no views. From here you can explore Tillamook, the cheese factory and don't forget the historic museum and wonderful mural painted in the 50's by Lucia Wiley. A rather famous muralist who did quite a few public buildings. Astoria is also full of history. And don't forget fish and chips at the Bowpicker.

[Lauren]

We have driven the 38 and connect with the 138 to Roseburg a few times and it is a little curvy in spots but definitely RV friendly. It is a beautiful drive.

Our favorite places to stay at Winchester Bay, Newport and Cannon Beach. God willing, we will be spending a month up this later this summer / fall and have two weeks plus at Cannon Beach, a few days at Newport and a week at Bandon - we have not stayed at Bandon before.

Like I said, check out the pix on www.LaurenBarbara.com and go to OR and Coast and you will see why.

[Bob___Ann]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.