Oregon Trip - Will this work?

[Howie3]

Well, I had good intentions on better preparation, but busy schedules have got in the way.

I'm planning a trip to Oregon next week with the DW and dog in our TT for 3 weeks. No reservations as I prefer to wing it, and will be a combination of dry camping & hookups. Coming from Canada, our route will take us through Spokane, WA and into Oregon via Walla Walla. Will plan to pick up some campground directories at a Visitor Centre (Pendleton?) and then continue down Hwy 395.

I'd like to find a nice spot or two somewhere along this stretch, then after the Labor Day weekend take either Hwy 26 or 20 towards the Coast. I figure by then it will be easier to find spots along 101 and we can spend the remainder of our trip sightseeing along the coast. No route yet planned to bring us back to Alberta so open to suggestions. Just want to stay off interstates for better scenery and a more leisurely trip.

My slight online research shows dozens of State Parks and perhaps 100's of NFS campgrounds throughout OR. I don't even know where to begin in checking them out.

Here are my questions:

1) Can someone recommend a good spot in eastern OR for the first leg of our journey to spend over Labor Day? (We could arrive Wed or Thurs early in the day as long as it is not filled up too early).

2) Am I reasonable in my assumption that we can find spots in State Parks after the long weekend along the Coast? (again, assuming we plan to arrive weekdays early afternoon).

Our planned activities are just to relax, short hikes and local sightseeing and canoeing. Maybe a winery or museum, anything interesting in the area. Prefer not to use private RV parks unless they are quiet and scenic.

Any insight from those familiar with OR are welcome. I feel like the kid in school who forgot to study and then asks for your study notes the day before the exam!

Thanks
Howie

[Jframpey]

Do you have the dog's vaccinations up to date and documents in hand?

[SteveAE]

Your loop sounds good to me. You may enjoy going a bit further down the coast, into California, and coming back to Grants Pass via 199. Check out the Redwoods while down there.

Hwy 20 is faster. Hwy 26 is more scenic and invites one to slow down and enjoy.

Regarding the fires, I suggest waiting until you are about to head back as conditions are always changing. Use the ODOT website Trip Check to verify road conditions.

Steve

[Howie3]

OP here. Thanks for the tips on SP reservations over the weekend. I guess I should at least book for Sep 5-7. Florence looks nice and seems about midway down the coast. I appreciate the suggestion on Honeyman, Sillybugs. I'll check it out using the SP guide that rhagfo provided.

Thanks for the boondocking ideas, Steve. I'll also check the Burns area.

Gary, I like your north to south idea, even though I am used to the 80 mph trailers passing me on Alberta highways!

Does anyone have suggestions on whether Hwy 20 or 26 would be nicer towards Bend and the coast? From there, perhaps Hwy 22 through Salem to get further north up the coastline to start the journey down 101?

Coming home, was thinking of connecting to Hwy 97 via Grants Pass & Crater Lake. Does anyone know if the fire around Eagle Point is still an issue?

Thanks for the feedback. Any other ideas are welcome.

Howie

[sdianel_-acct_c]

oops... Hood Park closes Sept 1st. That may be a problem for some campgrounds that close early.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

Meanwhile, to find camping spots, you can use www.woodalls.com, www.rvparkreviews.com and www.recreation.gov for campgrounds. Search for Oregon, camping and lodging and then click on the tap for "view as map"

Here's one: Hood Park (Coe - Lake Sacajawea)
Burbank, Washington

[Sillybugs2]

PP are correct in that you will be able to find a spot on the coast mid-week but may get kicked out by reservations by people for the weekends. We stayed at Honeyman State park in Florence in July and really liked it.

[rhagfo]

Oregon coast just get reservations for sure for weekend dates, kids may be back in school, but weekends still get very full!

Here is a link to the Oregon State Parks Guide.

[garyhaupt]

Eastern Oregon is a big piece of real estate...can you be more specific?

The better the weather, the quicker the SP's fill up. Lots of us retired folk head for the coast day after Labour Day. I would think that actually getting a spot will not be big deal, but it might not be the 'best spot'.

You are going north to south, I hope. That coastal highway is a hazard if pulling left out of pull-offs to get back into traffic. Everyone accelerates when they see an RV trying to cross back over..mind you, being from Alberta, you'd fit right in. :B


The eating is fabulous...the views more fabulous. If you get as far a Brookings, book into the city owned site down by Coast Guard and pay the extra to get a front row spot.



Gary Haupt

[SteveAE]

Howie,

Going south on hwy 395, just before you cross the N. Fk. John Day river, turn left on the Forest Service road and go upstream a mile or two. You will find several nice boondocking spots along the river.
If you want a spot along Hwy 20, a few miles west of Burns, check out Chickahominy Res.

To wing it with Oregon State Parks on the coast this time of year, you would be best of getting there in the morning....like 9 or 10 AM...and having a back-up plan.

Have a great trip,
Steve

[rr2254545]

# 2 should be nor problem - I would however suggest reservations for the weekends as we were on the coast for 9 weeks in Jan and Feb of this year and some campgrounds filled during that time on weekends