The Columbia River estuary near Astoria, Oregon sits at sea level, creating a unique ecosystem where salt and fresh water mix. Campsites near Astoria offer access to maritime activities with elevation rarely exceeding 100 feet above sea level. The region receives approximately 67 inches of rainfall annually, with summer months averaging 50-65°F and winter temperatures typically between 38-48°F.
What to do
Shipwreck exploration: Visit the Peter Iredale shipwreck at Fort Stevens State Park. "This is a great campground with a lot of sites. Visiting the Iredale shipwreck especially at sunset is beautiful. Also visiting the forts and cannons are fun. Bring mosquito repellent!" says Gail S.
Lighthouse viewing: Hike to the lighthouses at Cape Disappointment State Park. "There are lots of places to explore, a decomposing whale on the beach (stay upwind!), a nice lighthouse (under construction when I visited) and very close to Long Beach," reports Kier S.
Razor clamming: During minus tides from October to July, dig for razor clams at beaches near Seaside. "The Clatsop county beaches have the best razor clam digging in Oregon. On every minus tide, in the winter and spring, you have some of the best razor clams this far south of Alaska," notes Tracy at Seaside RV Resort.
What campers like
Ship watching: From Skamokawa Vista Park, watch international shipping traffic on the Columbia. "On any given day up to 10 ships can be found at anchor in the Columbia River along the Astoria waterfront waiting for berths to open upriver. Skamokawa is upriver and those ships pass right by Vista Park," explains Dee S.
Wildlife encounters: Elk sightings are common around Cannon Beach. "The Elk greeted us and were eating all the flowers as we entered," reports Brandon K. at Cannon Beach RV Resort.
Local festivals: August visitors should check out the Wahkiakum County Fair near Skamokawa Vista Park. "If you visit in August be sure to check out the Wakhaikum County Fair. You can walk to the fairgrounds from the park (the town in so small you can walk to anywhere in town from the park)," suggests Dee S.
What you should know
Off-season advantages: Winter camping offers lower rates and fewer crowds at most campgrounds near Astoria. "We came during offseason and it was super quiet and empty so we felt like we had the entire park to ourselves," notes one camper about Fort Stevens.
Campground layouts: Site spacing varies significantly between parks. At Thousand Trails Seaside, "Good angles for backing in. However, inner loops you have a neighbor front, back and sides. You can hear too much because they are fairly close. This place stays fairly full so reserve in advance to get an outer spot," advises Misty Z.
Weather preparation: Coastal fog and mist are common year-round. "Unfortunately we could see nothing but clouds this visit, but I would still come back! Not much for tent camping but better for cars or campers and very bumpy on the way up," reports Ashleigh Z. about dispersed camping options.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: For rainy day activities, consider campgrounds with indoor pools. "There's a pool and spa. There's also a lodge with a game room and laundry. Full hookups. Paved loop for kids and bikes," mentions C.M. about Cannon Beach RV Resort.
Historical interest: Fort sites capture children's attention. "We brought the kids and expected to listen to their complaints the whole time, but they were intrigued by everything!" shares Cadie H. about Fort Stevens State Park.
Playground options: Several campgrounds offer playground facilities. At Vista Park, "Two playground areas; one in the day-use area (but close enough to the camping sites) and one in the loop with sites 1-15," reports Lee D.
Tips from RVers
Limited cell service: Cell coverage varies significantly across the region. "I got zero reception in the campground. I use Verizon," reports Christina F. about Cape Disappointment. Many RVers recommend downloading offline maps before arrival.
Beach access considerations: Not all RV parks provide direct beach access. "Just east of Hwy 101 in Cannon Beach, this RV resort is an easy (really!) 10 minute walk to the beach, just north of Haystack Rock. A sidewalk underpass under 101 and a path through a small city park makes it a family-friendly, dog-friendly walk to the outstanding beach sunsets," explains Mari H.
Hookup variations: Pay attention to power options when booking. "The north side is the only side that has 50A power. The south side is all 30A," explains Tracy about Seaside RV Resort. This distinction matters for RVs with high power requirements.
