Pacific coast SP camping in Oregon & WA

[Andy_F]

We are planning our next big trip next year out to the west coast. I am looking for suggestions and recommendations for state park camping along the Pacific Ocean west of Portland, OR, and then north to the Olympic National Park. We'll be coming west from Yellowstone and Spokane and Kennewick, and wanting to end up in Seattle before heading back east with a Glacier stop on the way home to MN.

We loved our trip to FL last month where we camped at a state park right off the Gulf beach. Looking for something similar out west.

[rarintogo]

If you choose to stay at Fort Worden state park, they have their own website for reservations. If you have a hard time with that you can call. We host there March, April, September and October. It's a great place, but you will need reservations more than likely depending on when you are going. Port Townsend is indeed a fun little town. There are 2 campgrounds there, the beach which has nice big sites, and the upper campground which is forested. Most of the sites up in the upper are ok, but some pretty tight. Have fun planning.

[Andy_F]

Traveler II wrote:
We just completed a 10 day run along the Pacific coast, only stayed in one state park, and that was Fort Worden in Port Townsend, WA., the rest we stayed in campgrounds. No matter where you stay the coast is just plain outstanding.

We pulled out of Minnesota two months ago.

Envious!

[Andy_F]

Wow--so grateful for all the responses! Thank you everyone. I'll look through them all this coming weekend and next week. Planning on making our reservations next week.

[Executive45]

Finding a campground will not be a problem, finding a camping spot may be a different story. Make reservations as soon as possible or you'll be really disappointed.
Fort Stevens Astoria. Visit the column
Cape Disappointment in ILwaco. Expensive!
Try Sunrise Resorts in Copalis Beach. You'll camp 200 yards from the water.
Quinalt Resorts in La Push. Right on the beach
Port Hudson in Port Townsend, watch the cruise ships
The only decent park near Seattle is the fairgrounds in Puyallup. $25/nite FHU

[Tom_Barb]

I don't believe the OP will have a problem finding camp spot, there is no less than 30 private campgrounds west of I-5 north of the Columbia.

[Traveler_II]

We just completed a 10 day run along the Pacific coast, only stayed in one state park, and that was Fort Worden in Port Townsend, WA., the rest we stayed in campgrounds. No matter where you stay the coast is just plain outstanding.

We pulled out of Minnesota two months ago.

[mockturtle]

On the Olympic Peninsula I recommend Salt Creek RA and Kalaloch Campground, Olympic National Park. All the state parks on the Oregon coast are good.

[2gypsies1]

From Portland the only Oregon state park on your way into Washington would be Fort Stevens at Astoria.

From there you'd cross the Astoria bridge and your first Washington state park on the ocean would be Cape Disappointment at Ilwaco and some sites are a very short stroll to the beach. Continuing north on 101 you could also stay at Grayland Beach S.P., or Ocean City S.P.

Staying on 101 you'll then be in the Olympic Nat'l Park's far western area (rain forest). Salt Creek Recreation Area just west of Port Angeles is a nice place to stay to check out the park's rain forest. Continue to Port Townsend and Fort Worden S.P. is great and it's a neat little town. From Port Townsend you could easily do a day trip up to Olympic N.P.'s Hurricane Ridge area - a must.

From Port Townsend you could also take a short ferry at Bainbridge Island (a short drive) for a day trip to Seattle's waterfront. It lets you off at the Aquarium and Pikes Market area. You can catch a monorail to whisk you to the Space Needle. It makes for a nice day without the hassle of driving in Seattle and their campgrounds aren't much.

Then from Port Townsend you could take your RV onto another short ferry to Coupeville and then continue driving north to Anacortes and get on I-5 for the continuation of your trip.

You could take Hwy 20/2 over to Glacier and continue on Hwy 2 to Minnesota. We've done that drive and it's very easy and pleasant.

Lots of choices. Have fun planning!

[Marine_By_Choic]

Agree with Pacific Beach SP in SW Washington! Our favorite. And as recommended make reservations now.
Stayed at Ocean City this summer. Was very clean, but about 1/4 to 1/2 mile hike to the beach.

[Murphsmom]

In Washington, Cape Disappointment State Park at Ilwaco, and Grayland State Park in Grayland both have beach access close to the campsites, but not right on the beach. We used to camp at Ocean City SP at Ocean Shores, but the last time we were there, it was pretty grubby. The beach is a state highway, so you really have to watch out for cars, especially when it's foggy.

[Andy_F]

TyroneandGladys wrote:
Harris State Beach OR close to beach. Beachside State Park OR ON the beach Our personal favorite Pacific Beach State Park WA ON the beach. MAKE RESERVATIONS NOW!! Sent you PM with link to photos of our trip this year up the coast and then on to Glacier.

Thanks!

[TyroneandGladys]

Harris State Beach OR close to beach. Beachside State Park OR ON the beach Our personal favorite Pacific Beach State Park WA ON the beach. MAKE RESERVATIONS NOW!! Sent you PM with link to photos of our trip this year up the coast and then on to Glacier.

[Andy_F]

donn0128 wrote:
Portland north? Sadly tour going to miss probably 90% of the best scenery on the coast. Besides going the wrong way. The pacific coast is best seen north to south. But since you asked, Ft Stevens State Park west of Astoria.

We are a bit limited on this trip on where we go because of our other stops along the way and because of where family lives that we are stopping to visit in Washington. We'll go south along the coast next time. We plan to full-time RV when retirement comes in 9 years. We'll be back!

[Andy_F]

Tom/Barb wrote:
We use THIS.
Woodall's camping directory is also a big help.

Thanks. I was kind of hoping for personal recommendations from those who live or have camped out there.