New and traveling in Oregon Coast

[Liza258]

I just joined this site last week and have not been 'social'. I'm not sure if I am in the proper forum; so apologies if I shouldn't have posted here; please kindly direct me if I need to post some place else. I am exploring this lifestyle (no prior experience), and have this coming 2 weeks off. One of my desires is to travel down the Orgeon Coast. I will be coming down south from the North Coast. I will be driving in a car.

I figure my stops would be Tillamook, Lincoln/Newport, Coos Bay, Gold Beach, Brookings. Would that sound reasonable?
Would it be 'safe' to car camp in Tillamook Gen Hospital, or are there other places around Tillamook? Nelda also mentioned dispersed camping in Coast range mountains, how do I find the direction to get there? I'm thinking I can camp in the casino area in Newport. But not certain about the other areas as it goes further south.

Are there also other BLM sites as I travel south?

Would welcome any advise or words or wisdom, or foolish of me to try this on my own.

Thanks!

 

[user 15857]

In Tillamook area, free overnight is available at the Blue Heron French Cheese factory, and at the state rest stop about 5 miles south of town (max 12 hrs).

The casino in Lincoln City has an RV park ($$) but I think allow overnight in the parking lot for free.

Walmart in Newport still allows overnighters for free.

Casino in Florence has 4 nights free for overnighters, no facilities except in the casino building.

The casino in Coos Bay charges $15/night but has good shower/restroom/laundry facilities.

If you want boondocking in the forest, Siuslaw NF is in the mid-coast area and they have a free road map showing places to BD.  South coast there is BLM land, but be aware of fire restrictions already in effect.

Good luck, and enjoy the journey.

Daniel
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[Liza258]

Daniel - 
Thanks so much for the information!

 

[cyndi]

Liza, welcome to the CRVL forums! I took the liberty of moving your post to it's own thread and renaming it with the thought you'll get more replies.

Definately something you should do!!! You'll have a blast

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[A Savage Adventure]

Welcome, Liza258! Tillamook is awesome (so is the cheese)!

 

[wasanah2]

Hi there and welcome!

I lived for some time along the Oregon coast.  It's 62 degrees this fine July day in Coos Bay.  You have picked the best place to spend your summer.  Lots to see, but make a side trip to Charleston, OR and rent a crab pot at Davy Jones' Locker and throw some crab pots in.  At the marina there you can park at the bay for free still.  They have a couple RV parks in the marina, but you don't have to use their hookups and pay.  You can just park and watch all the activity going on. 

It is a beautiful area.  Then go up to Shore Acres State Park and later come back and spend the night at the Marine Biology Lab parking lot in Charleston.  There are also several casinos in North Bend and Coos Bay.  You can probably get a free night with them.  If you want to pay a little, you can camp at Sunset Bay State Park.  But beware of the ravens there.  I threw a couple hotdogs on the grill and a raven came down and quickly picked it up and took off with it.  It hadn't been on the grill for more than 1 minute and whoosh, gone.  I have a feeling that that raven has done that before.  He came back for the other one and then LAUGHED like they do.

A lot of RVers spend their summers along the coast.  You'll love it.  Tomorrow, 4th of July, they usually have a really nice fireworks display in Bandon, OR.  Big artist's community there.  Lots to do and temperate.   I found people very friendly there.

 

[QinReno]

dexstrom and wasanah2 have good information. However, it is problematical trying to find free camping on that coast. First it is so popular that you will likely find NO camp spots available in the state parks, They are reserved ahead of time, and this is high season. Despite what was said I would avoid Coos Bay. I felt it was the least safe place on the entire coast. There are some spots right on the ocean near Charleston below Coos Bay but they are so close to the city that there are apparently problems with locals and there have apparently been murders there (possibly hearsay). If staying in Coos Bay, I would stay in a motel. 

Also, I would highly recommend camping in the Oregon Dunes Natl Seashore south of Florence. There are a number of campgrounds and when I was there 2 summers ago it was mainly first come, first served. Those will be full of other campers and much safer than trying to boondock. Also, when you get down to Gold Beach and Brookings, there is almost nothing to choose from, except expensive motels and state parks with all sites already reserved. However if you drive up from Gold Beach towards Agness for 15-miles or so there are 2 extremely nice campgrounds with hosts, eg Quosatana is very nice. Plus the area along the river is just beautiful. 

The other thing to do is open google maps, blow up some area, and enter "camping" in the search window,
https://www.google.com/maps/search/camping/@42.4897182,-124.3827951,20881m/data=!3m1!1e3