Desert camping in Oregon Coast
With sea cliffs and forest-fringed shoreline, this is not your typical beach destination.
- Oregon Coast
Popular camping styles for Oregon Coast
Nearby parks
Explore the area’s public lands.
Desert camping in Oregon Coast guide
Overview
Stretching nearly 400 miles from the mouth of the Columbia River in the north to the edge of the California redwoods, the Oregon Coast is one of the most beautiful natural features of an undeniably stunning state. Here you’ll find a mix of artsy towns and majestic state parks, an extensive network of national forest biking and hiking trails, and mile upon mile of shoreline. Like the rest of the Pacific Northwest, there's plenty to experience here for lovers of the great outdoors, and numerous camping sites operated by Oregon State Parks.
Where to go
North Coast
A weekend getaway from Portland, this region features a mix of coastal communities—namely Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, and Manzanita—plus plenty of state parks such as Hug Point State Recreation Site, famous for its tidepools. Other camping spots include historic Fort Stevens State Park, home to one of the largest campgrounds in the country (and a shipwreck), and Nehalem Bay State Park, which occupies a sand spit between Nehalem Bay and the Pacific. From here, it’s a short drive to Tillamook and Cape Lookout State Park, which offers tent sites, RV sites, cabins, and yurts—plus hot showers—at its Seaside campground.
Central Coast
Extending from Lincoln City down to the city of Florence, the Central Coast mixes developed areas and rugged forestland. Popular towns include Depoe Bay, which touts itself as the whale-watching capital of the Oregon Coast, and Newport, home to the Yaquina Head Lighthouse. When it comes to camping, consider Beverly Beach State Park, with its huge campground right by the beach, or South Beach State Park, just south of Newport.
South Coast
Extending from Florence down to the California border, Oregon’s South Coast is considered the state’s most picturesque stretch. It’s home to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, a massive stretch of sand dunes popular for off-highway vehicle (OHV) riding, and Coos Bay, the largest coastal Oregon City and a prime crabbing spot. Cape Blanco State Park marks the westernmost point in the state, while other beach camping spots include Humbug Mountain State Park near Port Orford and Harris Beach State Park near Brookings.
