There are some wonderful choices for camping on the north Oregon coast. Children especially will enjoy these Oregon Coast campgrounds and so will their parents.
Fort Stevens State Park
This is the largest state park with over 500 sites and it also has history. Fort Stevens was a military fort from civil war times to the end of World War II. The fort guarded the mouth of the Columbia River during the American Civil War and during the uneasy times when there were border disputes with the British. During World War II it was the only military installation in the United States that was fired on by a foreign power. A Japanese submarine fired 17 shells at the fort, missing everything. No shots were fired back because the Fort Commander didn't want to give the fort's position away. The underground bunkers are still there and can be toured.
There are fresh water lakes for canoeing and swimming, beach access, hiking trails, wildlife viewing platforms, and biking paths.
Fort Stevens has RV sites, tent sites, and yurts.
Make reservations through Reservations Northwest at 1-800-452-5687.
Copyright Dave Welton, Creative Commons
Astoria KOA Campground
This is a privately owned campground located in the same area as Fort Stevens. They have fully paved hookup sites and you can even have TV. They also have wooded tent sites and cabins. Amenities included a heated pool, tennis courts, volleyball court, horseshoe pits, bike rentals, snack shack, and grocery store. This park is a good choice for camping on the north Oregon coast if the weather is not so good.
Reservations can be made at 1-800-562-8506.
Oswald West State Park
Sadly this park is closed, possibly permanently, due to falling trees.
From this park you can get to the Cape Falcon overlook by a short walk through the forest or to the Short Sands beach nestled in a cove. The site is for tents only and all camping gear must be walked in from the parking. Wheelbarrows are provided. The Short Sands beach is popular with surfboarders. This is a first come first serve park.
Copyright Dave Welton, Creative Commons
Nehalem Bay State Park
This park is between the Pacific Ocean and Nehalem Bay so you can enjoy the ocean beaches and fishing and crabbing in the bay. This is the park for camping on the north Oregon coast with horses. Sites are available with horse corrals with a maximum of four horses per site. The yurts have lockable wood doors, wooden floors, electricity, heaters and beds with mattresses. All camp sites have paved parking, picnic tables and fire pits. There is easy beach access with trails across the sand dunes. It takes two to five minutes to get to the beach depending on where your site is located. A horse concession operates in the day visit area during the summer months.
Make reservations through Reservations Northwest at 1-800-452-5687.
Cape Lookout State Park
This is part of the Three Capes Scenic Route and is located on a sand spit between the ocean and Netarts Bay. Besides beachcombing there are eight miles of walking trails. It has easy beach access. There are full hookups for RV's, tents and yurts. Three delux cabins are available with ocean view through the trees. These cabins sleep five and have a bathroom, table and chairs, refrigerator, microwave, gas barbeque grill, heat, and covered porch. You supply bedding, food, dishes.
Make reservations through Reservations Northwest at 1-800-452-5687.
There are also some great campgrounds on the central Oregon Coast.