Suggestions for campsites in Seattle and Portland (Oregon) area?

caseyc · Jun 3, 2013

I will be doing a 9 day road trip straight up north to Portland and Seattle area.  I think it will take around 16 hours to drive up there according to Mapquest.  But it will take me longer because I will take the slower scenic routes with many short stops in between. I've never drive that far up north. I will do this at the end of August. Anyone have suggestions for good overnight camp sites in Seattle and Portland areas?  Hopefully campsites that have clean, hot, and preferably private showers?  This is more for the GF! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/rolleyes.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> Also, what good sight seeing is there?  Is the Space Needle anything to see?  Or is it over-rated as with most tourist attractions?  I did go to the top of the Empire State Building in New York City several years ago and thought that was rather cool.  At one point, I had considered driving all the way to Vancouver, Canada.  But 2 things have persuaded me not to.  One is the recent bridge collapse in Oregon which I think is one of the main routes to Canada.  The other reason is one of my coworkers told me it's a long wait to drive back to the US from Canada. I can imagine it might be much longer for me personally because of my van. I'm afraid the border patrol might want to take apart my van to make sure I'm not doing any drugs or human trafficking. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">  I will be taking my conversion van which I've pretty much tricked out to my liking and this will be the first serious road trip for my van. Thanks, Casey

Terry · Jun 3, 2013

I can testify to the thoroughness of the border patrol when taking apart the inside of a van when crossing the border to enter the United States. At least they were in Brownsville Tx. back in the 80"s. I just thought about what was in the van about 15 minutes before crossing south and made a quick trip to a dumpster before continuing on our trip to just do a little border shopping. I advise thinking and searching any vehicle before crossing the border. Even if your the original owner, you can only be sure of what might be in it if your the only person to have ever entered it since it was new.

rvwandering · Jun 3, 2013

Both Portland and Seattle are great cities for just wandering around. Both have a lot of cultural attractions. It all depends on your interests. We've never been to the top of the Space Needle so I can't comment on that. The national parks - Rainer, Olympic and Mount Saint Helens are all fantastic and worth a visit.  There are many places to overnight around Seattle - most of the casinos, the rest areas on I-5 and on the street in industrial areas. Most of the Walmarts are not good - signs prohibiting overnight parking. We've stayed at Saltwater State Park - <a href="http://www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Saltwater&subject=camping" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Saltwater&subject=camping</a> We didn't use the showers so I don't know about the temperature of the water or the privacy of the stalls.  We've had a harder time finding good overnight spots around Portland. The rest area on I-5 about 20 miles away southbound is huge. Go to the farthest section from the highway. Camping World in Wood Village is good for overnighting. We've also stayed in Clackamette RV Park. It's a city park and is restricted to self contained RVs and doesn't have public showers as far as I know. The campground is just a gravel lot but the park is nice.  Sorry about not being more helpful. Commercial campgrounds around both of the cities would have the ammenities that you want but they're so expensive that we never use them. Check this site for more public campgrounds -<a href="http:// http//www.ultimatecampgrounds.com/uc/index.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> http://www.ultimatecampgrounds.com/uc/index.php  </a>

caseyc · Jun 3, 2013

Hi Tony, Thanks for the input. Yeah, better safe than sorry. I would be very peeved if the border patrol were to tear apart my van looking for non-existent contraband! <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif"> Casey

caseyc · Jun 3, 2013

Hi TonyandKaren, Thank you for the ideas, much appreciated!  I don't don't really have any agenda planned...yet.  Probably some of the usual tourist stuff, plus some backroads stuff too I'm guessing.  I usually reserve hotel stays for a vacation, but this time I'm driving the van and want to make use of the van instead of hotels.  Should I watch the "Sleepless In Seattle" movie with Tom Hanks? Will that movie help to get me in the mood for the roadtrip? Does that movie have any real bearing to Seattle?  You don't have to answer if you haven't seen the movie.  I haven't seen it myself. <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif"> Casey

Suanne · Jun 3, 2013

Hi Casey, I'd check out the city and county campgrounds in Washington State.  I like the Snohomish County campgrounds which is the next county north of Seattle.  We last stayed at Flowing Lake and enjoyed it (see picture below).  King County Parks has a campground about 30 miles east of Seattle in the town of Carnation which I also like (Tolt-McDonald Park).  It's right on the confluence of the Tolt and Snoqualmie Rivers.  Both of these campgrounds have beautiful wooded campsites. <img class="bbc_img" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/68510_10200989604602279_823004300_n.jpg" rel="lightbox"> In Oregon, we've stayed at the Campoeg State Heritage Park, just south of Portland, about 40 minutes off of I-5.  The sites are not wooded, but the campground is nice.  Also, we've stayed at Valley of the Rogue State Park directly off of I-5 and just south of Grants Pass.  You've got freeway noise there and the sites are not wooded, but this campground is also nice.  The other place you may want to check out in southern Oregon is Seven Feathers Casino, just off of I-5.  They have a very nice RV resort. The Space Needle is definitely touristy, but still cool IMO.  Also, Pike Place Market is one of my favorite places to go in Seattle, lots of local color.  Seattle also offers an underground tour (of Seattle before the big fire) ... I've not been on it, but hear good things about it.  While in downtown Seattle go to the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, free, nice exhibits and ranger programs.  Another one of my favorite things to do is take the Ferry from Seattle to Bremerton and back.  At the ferry dock in Bremerton is a little free water park and a Navel Museum.  Don't take your van on the ferry; rather walk on ... the areas that you sail through are really wonderful. Olympic and Mount Rainier National Parks are absolutely spectacular if you are into being in nature.  Both are a day's drive from Seattle and have campgrounds (don't know about showers tho').  Many of the river valleys close to the western foothills of the Cascades have lots of agri-tourism going on.  In the Snoqualmie Valley, where the Carnation Tolt-McDonald Park is located, there's several farms open for tours, fresh produce, farm animal fun, etc. Also, if you do make it to the Snoqualmie Valley, there's the Snoqualmie Falls to go see ... spectacular sight.  And, maybe we can meet for a cup of coffee ... just send an email, if you want. Suanne

caseyc · Jun 3, 2013

Hi Suanne, Thanks for the cool tidbits for campsite suggestions!  Question though.  Are those campsites only for RVs?  Will they accept vans?  In my neck of the woods, there are RV parks that are only devoted to RVs that are self sufficient (eg: water, toilet, etc).  My conversion van is not self sufficient, although I do have a porta potty.  I have literally been turned away at certain RV parks/campsites! Also, for those campsites you mentioned that are not wooded and near the freeway, does it get hot at those campsites during end of August?  I'm trying not to fry in the open sun if those campsites don't at least have tall trees for shading.  I can't take heat much above 75 to 80 degrees.  Unless I'm at the beach!  Even then, I still can't take the heat for too long, haha!  Heat gives me a headache! Thanks! Casey

Suanne · Jun 3, 2013

Casey, All of the campgrounds I mentioned are for tenting, vanning, RV'ing, etc ... I would even car-dwell there <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">.  The one exception may be Seven Feathers Casino in southern Oregon.  It's an "RV resort" ... we used it in our 20' Class C.  The cost is very reasonable with lots of amenities.  If that's someplace you'd like to stay, I'd call first to make sure they'll take you.   I wouldn't try camping in my Prius there, tho' <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> Also, on the campgrounds I mentioned (Washington counties, and Oregon State), some sites have hook ups and others do not.  If you don't want/need hook ups, I certainly wouldn't pay for a site that has them as they are usually more expensive.  And tent sites usually have more trees too. I'm not sure about the August weather at the Oregon campgrounds I mentioned.  I suspect it's like western Washington in that it can vary from the high 60's to high 90's in August.  Although I said the campsites aren't wooded, there are tall trees around that would provide shade at various times of the day. FYI:  The Skagit River bridge collapse on I-5 is about 60 miles and a couple of counties north of Seattle.  So, if it wasn't fixed yet, you wouldn't be effected by that road closure.  Tho' they expect to have the temporary bridge up in a couple of weeks. Happy Planning, Suanne

caseyc · Jun 3, 2013

Hi Suanne, Many thanks to you!  I now have more ideas for places to camp!  I'm excited to do my first long road trip!

Casey

Suanne · Jun 3, 2013

Just another quick note.  Seattle has lots of activities going on in August, most notably is Sea Fair and its many activities, including a big parade and hydroplane races.  If in the area at the right/wrong time, you may find yourselves amongst the activities, celebration and traffic.  A good website for checking out what's going on in Washington State is <a href="http://www.experiencewa.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.experiencewa.com/</a>.  That way you can plan.

highdesertranger · Jun 3, 2013

casey, I have no info about campsites but one thing worth seeing is mt st Helens.  take the highway off the i5 up to the visitor center.  I was up there before the visitor center was open.  it was still pretty impressive.  I watched a good documentary before I went up can't remember the name right now.  the experience is awesome.  highdesertranger

highdesertranger · Jun 3, 2013

o yeah st Helens is around 1/2 between Portland and seattle off the i5.  highdesertranger

IGBT · Jun 5, 2013

Hey, I live near Seattle...it is a great city!  All of Washington state is actually.  Right now the weather is blue bird nice!  72 degrees and sunshine.  If it gets rainy later this week, head over one of the passes to the Wenatchee area...lots of free camping over there.  We ride dual sport motorcycles around Fish Lake and Mad River, also up near Lake Chelan.  The Liberty mining district also has great free camping (that is on Blewitt Pass).  I just mowed the grass yesterday and took a pic standing in my backyard

IGBT · Jun 5, 2013

Oh, don't forgot about the coast of Washington...you need to go to long beach or ocean shores!  You can drive on the beach, it is considered a legal highway!  Very cool area, and I know there are some campsites there.  You need to spend like a month in Washington!  This is my wife on her dual sport at long beach...I really wash off the bikes after riding near the salt water though.

IGBT · Jun 5, 2013

I know you are coming in August, but this is what the Liberty area looks like in the winter.  I think my wife took this pic of me on my cat in Jan of this year.  The mountain in the background is Rainier

The elevation here was 6300 feet...I think we were near lion rock.  In the summer it would be about 80 degrees up there and most of the land is open for camping (BLM land).  There was a fire at table mountain that burned a lot of trees..in the winter it is haunting...haven't been there in the summer though.  Here is a pic of the burned trees where we were snowmobiling.

caseyc · Jun 6, 2013

Hidesert:  Mount Saint Helens sounds cool. Thanks for the suggestion! IGBT: Driving is legal on the beach?!? That's a new one for me! Nice pics!

highdesertranger · Jun 6, 2013

casey when I went to st Helens they were still building the visitor center,  I was still impressed the whole road up was full of interesting stuff.  the whole thing was pretty impressive.   my buddy will be coming though there around the 4th of july I am meeting him in the bend Oregon area on the 8th.  then on to the gold fields of eastern Oregon.   yahoo I am outta here on the 30th of june.  highdesertranger

caseyc · Jul 12, 2013

<a href="https://secure.camis.com/WA/WashingtonStateParks/NorthwestWashingtonStateParks" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://secure.camis.com/WA/WashingtonStateParks/NorthwestWashingtonStateParks</a> Hello again, I probably should be reserving a campsight now before everything gets sold out. Using the link above, can anyone recommend any campsites near Seattle? Thanks! Casey

blars · Jul 12, 2013

No showers, but Bagby Hot Springs (30-50 miles from Portland) has tubs in separate rooms.  It's 1.5 miles from the trailhead, where there is a campground.  It's run by Mt Hood Recreation (CLM), the company I am hosting for this summer.

caseyc · Jul 12, 2013

Tubs? As in hot tubs? Or bath tubs? Separate rooms meaning private rooms for 1 person? Or as in separated between male and female?  Any URL links? Thanks, Casey

Suggestions for campsites in Seattle and Portland (Oregon) area?

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