199 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The northern Oregon coast near Arch Cape features camping options ranging from full-hookup RV parks to tent sites and yurts, all within a short drive of the Pacific shoreline. State parks dominate the camping landscape, with Nehalem Bay State Park and Cape Lookout State Park offering well-maintained facilities just steps from beach access. Private options include Cannon Beach RV Resort and Wright's for Camping, providing varying levels of amenities within walking distance to coastal attractions. Most campgrounds in this region accommodate multiple camping styles, from tent sites to full-hookup RV spots, with several offering yurts and cabins for those seeking shelter from coastal weather. The area between Seaside and Tillamook contains the highest concentration of established campgrounds, all positioned to maximize ocean views and beach access. Arch Cape camping provides exceptional opportunities to experience the rugged Oregon coastline, with campgrounds strategically located to balance beach proximity with forest protection.
Reservations are essential during summer months when coastal campgrounds regularly reach capacity. Many campers report that off-season visits provide a dramatically different experience, with Kelly H. noting that Nehalem Bay "had the D loop almost to ourselves" in December. Weather patterns significantly impact the camping experience, with coastal winds and rain common even during summer months. As Mallory R. observed at Cape Lookout, sites can be "windy and cold on breezy coastal nights due to proximity to the ocean." Most state park campgrounds remain open year-round but with reduced services in winter. Campground proximity to Highway 101 provides easy access, though some inland forest campgrounds like Tillamook State Forest Nehalem Falls require navigation of narrower roads with limited clearance for larger vehicles.
Wildlife viewing opportunities rank high among visitor experiences, with several reviewers mentioning deer sightings at Nehalem Bay and elk at Barview Jetty. Nancy H. advises: "If you get up before the crowds, you will most likely see the large elk browsing on the grassy areas." Beach access trails typically involve short walks over dunes, with tide pools accessible at many locations. Site privacy varies considerably, with most reviewers noting the close proximity of campsites, particularly during peak season. As James T. described Nehalem Bay: "Hundreds of little sites were packed tightly together...but my gripes about the campsite's claustrophobic layout faded as we walked down the path" to the beach. Amenities like hot showers and flush toilets are standard at most established campgrounds, with firewood often available for purchase on-site.
"We definitely didn't try to interact with them, but they were comfortable to roam right around our site which was a really magical experience
- Nehalem Bay is such a beautiful area and the State Park"
"Mostly an RV park tucked into the Nehalem Bay peninsula, this does offer a couple dog friendly yurts and some very friendly camp hosts."
from $25 - $90 / night
Check Availability"We stayed away from our coastal communities during the first year of the pandemic, but now we wanted to get back and support our home away from home."
"Really well maintained and just 10 minutes away from the beach in Cannon Beach, it is a lovely walk from the campground to town and to the beach."
"Compared to many places this is still a five star campground, but I like others in Oregon better. This one can get quite crowded and tends to be a little more loud and rainy."
"Also there are many hiking paths, the beach and near by towns to explore like Astoria, OR."
from $17 - $162 / night
Check Availability"You can’t beat the location! Walk to the beach, shops and restaurants in a few minutes. The sites are close but it’s the Oregon coast. Wifi is solid and I’m able to work."
"After a mildly congested drive out to Cannon Beach, we pulled off the 101 into town. Sure enough, we were late. I called and it was no issue."
from $50 - $250 / night
Check Availability"Close to the tide pools in Barview, right on the beach, on the entrance to Tillamook Bay. Large clean bathrooms with several hot showers."
"Our campsite is spacious and relatively private with lots of trees and shrubbery around the perimeter. We're just a short walk from the beach access and it's a great section of beach."
from $38 - $56 / night
Check Availability"Open year-round, this RV Park is located in the town of Seaside on the Oregon Coast."
"It gives access to all the amenities here. They took out the propane site, cause they didn’t have anyone to take care of it. We come down here to get away from the heat, inland, area."
"We took the kids and stroller and walked under the highway on the path/sidewalk that eventually got us down to the beach."
"It's also a lovely walk. We came both years for the Canon Beach Sand Sculpture Contest. Lots of fun. "
from $38 - $54 / night
Check Availability"Oregon really doesn’t have bad campgrounds. It was raining while we were here but it’s a beautiful spot and if you’ve got an RV who cares about the rain!"
"We didn’t spend a ton of time on site, but it met all of our needs: close to town, easy to access, no problems with the size of the park or the sites."
"So I told him I’d also write reviews of some other good campgrounds in the area, so look for-Beaver Eddy (recently closed for logging, though didn’t look like a permanent close + one roadside site was"
"Nestled near a river, with easy access to the falls trail. Ensure you wear clothing suitable for wet hiking. The entire hike is a pretty easy and birding opportunities are many."
"Some great spots tucked further back but even with being right next to the road it really wasn’t too loud and dies down significantly after dark."
"Most of the campsites are on the north end of the marina on a grassy area with trees where you can drive up to the site."
ScoutJessica was extremely responsive, warm, and very accommodating :). The Sublime site is spacious, beautiful, and private. We planned for 2 nights and extended to 3rd because we were having such a great time. Our 25’ class C RV was a little tough to get up the site due to tight steep turns. Exiting the site was much easier.
TravelerLot of older people living here, but very friendly, no safety issues! Full hook ups! The other reviews are talking about the grass area at Seafarer’s Park, 1/4 mile up directly at the river. The Marina RV Park is before that.
GuideSite was OK for a one night stay. When we arrived we immediately noticed trash in the site. As this campground is next to dunes there is a ton of noise. Our neighbors were revving their dirt bikes (not even riding them) past midnight. No hookups. Close to the water.
GuideWe stayed in the RV area. As stated in other reviews, the spaces are pretty much on top of each other, with little privacy. It would be nice if they cut a few spaces out and added some trees or bushes between the spaces. Bathrooms are hit and miss, like most campground bathrooms. Nice playground for kids, easy access to the beach.
RangerPaved roads a little narrow so more challenging to back-in 90-degree sites vs. 45-degree angled sites. Good restrooms with flush toilets and h/c water sinks. Hot showers included as part of camping fee. Two dump stations at entrance use honor system to pay $10 via cell-phone app. Nice beach walks over sand dunes to long flat beach. Expect wind on beach. Some sites a little close together but ok overall. Expect lots of families with kids in summer and on weekends. Overall a good stay.
RangerThe road wasn't to bad getting there. There were a few spots in the campsite. River feet away, berry patches close. No cell coverage.
ScoutAfter days on the road it was nice to have peace and quiet. Got to sleep. Bed very comfortable clean and warm! Definitely a 10/10 Weather was perfect!! Staff very accommodating! Tiffany was very helpful!
RangerModern clean bathrooms and laundry. Friendly host and nice neighbors. Reservations made in the phone and then check-in with the host
RangerFirst wknd in October and the coast still busy. This place had walking spaces on a Friday night; a lifesaver.
Arch Cape camping offers year-round access to Oregon coast adventures with diverse terrain beyond just beach sites. While state parks dominate the region, several private and county campgrounds provide alternative options within 30 minutes of Arch Cape. Most locations combine forest settings with coastal proximity, creating microclimates where temperature fluctuations of 10-15 degrees can occur between beachfront and forested sites.
Crabbing excursions: Visit Kelly's Brighton Marina for direct access to some of the region's best crabbing. "We spent a week at Kelly's over the 4th of July holiday weekend and week... the girls working the crab pit were always happy to serve up some great seafood," notes Kristina G.
Horseback riding: Experience beach riding from Nehalem Bay State Park Campground, where guided tours operate directly from the campground. "Great dune area. Always horses riding on the beach too. Super neat experience," shares Jamie B. These rides range from standard daytime tours to specialty sunset and moonlight beach rides.
Historic exploration: The northern coast contains significant military history sites within a short drive. "Visiting the forts and cannons are fun," reports Gail S. about Fort Stevens State Park. For military history enthusiasts, the concrete gun emplacements and underground facilities make for fascinating self-guided tours regardless of weather conditions.
River access: Tillamook State Forest Nehalem Falls Campground offers an inland alternative to coastal camping with water features. "The tent sites are very private and right on the Nehalem River which is warm enough to swim in," explains Spencer C. Located approximately 25 minutes from Arch Cape, this location provides swimming holes during summer months when ocean temperatures remain too cold for comfortable swimming.
Marine wildlife viewing: Barview Jetty County Campground provides prime locations for observing coastal ecosystems. "If you get up early there are large herds of elk that come through the campground," notes a camper. The jetty itself creates a unique microenvironment for observing marine life during minus tides.
Tidepooling opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer tide pool access during low tides. "It was quiet and serene. The people there were respectful of the grounds and other people. When we went the tide had gone out leaving little tide pools around. It was very nice," says Deanna F. about Nehalem Bay State Park. Morning minus tides typically provide the best viewing conditions.
Seasonal differences: Off-season camping offers a dramatically different experience with significantly reduced crowds. "Right now in February it is very quiet," notes a camper at Nehalem Bay, with winter providing more solitude but requiring better rain gear and warm clothing. Winter camping typically means temperatures between 40-55°F with frequent precipitation.
Variable site privacy: Cannon Beach RV Resort offers more structured layouts than state parks. "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," cautions Misty Z. Requesting outer loop sites generally provides more separation between neighbors.
Shower facilities: Most established campgrounds provide shower facilities, but systems vary widely. Some charge per use, as Kelly P. explains about Barview Jetty: "Showers are available... but they are pay-showers. The rates are reasonable starting at $0.50 for 4 minutes and each additional quarter adds 2 minutes." Others include them with your stay but may have limited hours.
Beach access pathways: Wright's for Camping provides family-friendly paths to coastal attractions. "This was a nice, family friendly campground. We took the kids and stroller and walked under the highway on the path/sidewalk that eventually got us down to the beach," explains Casey R. Most campgrounds near Arch Cape require walking at least 5-10 minutes to reach beaches.
Playground availability: Many families appreciate on-site recreational options. "Good paved loop for kids to ride bikes," reports C.M. about Cannon Beach RV Resort. Campground circulation roads often become de facto play areas, with varying amounts of vehicle traffic throughout the day.
Kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer organized activities during peak season. "The campground is very quite except for the waves across the street," Tyler F. notes about staying at Cannon Beach RV Resort. Coastal Oregon campgrounds often remain much quieter than inland locations, with darkness coming early due to coastal fog and mountain shadows.
Site selection strategies: Circle Creek RV Park & Campground provides flexible options for different RV setups. "If you need power/water...those sites looked large and had decent amount of space between," notes Sara S. Most parks differentiate between partial hookup (water/electric) and full hookup sites, with price differences averaging $5-10 per night.
Weather preparedness: Coastal camping requires additional preparation. "We showed up after office hours and were still able to snag a spot," Sara adds about Circle Creek. Being prepared for sudden weather changes is essential, as coastal storms can arrive quickly with little warning.
Seasonal road conditions: Forested campgrounds may have access limitations. The road to Tillamook State Forest Nehalem Falls requires cautious driving for larger rigs, with a narrow forest road including tight turns and occasional low-hanging branches. Most coastal Highway 101 campgrounds accommodate standard RVs up to 40 feet without difficulty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the closest camping options to Arch Cape for visitors to Cannon Beach?
For visitors to Cannon Beach staying near Arch Cape, several convenient camping options exist. Wright's for Camping is one of the closest options to downtown Cannon Beach, offering a traditional camping experience with water and toilet facilities within walking distance of the beach. Sea Ranch Resort provides accommodations near Cannon Beach with convenient beach access. For those looking for a quick overnight stop while exploring the area, Sunset Rest Area in nearby Seaside offers clean facilities, restrooms, and parking for various vehicle sizes, making it a practical option for self-contained travelers exploring the Arch Cape and Cannon Beach area.
What amenities are available at Arch Cape camping areas?
Camping areas near Arch Cape offer diverse amenities to enhance your stay. Fort Stevens State Park Campground provides clean facilities, beach access, and a nearby lake for recreation. The park features historical attractions including old barracks to explore. For RV travelers, Cannon Beach RV Resort offers well-maintained grounds with friendly staff and is just a 10-minute walk from the beach. The resort provides full hookups, clean bathrooms, and is conveniently located to explore the area's attractions. Most campgrounds in the region offer basic amenities including potable water, restrooms with flush toilets, and showers, though specific offerings vary by location.
Where can I find camping spots in Arch Cape, Oregon?
While Arch Cape itself has limited camping, several excellent options are nearby. Cape Lookout State Park Campground offers forested sites with beach access just a short drive south. The campground features private sites with foliage between neighbors and is steps away from beautiful beaches with tide pools. For those traveling north, Nehalem Bay State Park Campground provides camping on a scenic peninsula with wildlife viewing opportunities and proximity to shops and restaurants in Manzanita. During peak season, reservations are highly recommended for both parks as they fill quickly, especially on summer weekends and holidays.
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