Astoria's RV camping options extend beyond the city limits to nearby areas in both Oregon and Washington. Located at the mouth of the Columbia River, campers experience Pacific Northwest coastal weather with average summer temperatures of 65-70°F and frequent morning fog. RV sites near Astoria, Oregon provide access to unique coastal attractions while offering varied terrain from riverfront to forested areas.
What to do
Beach exploration: Cannon Beach RV Resort offers easy access to iconic Oregon coast landscapes. "Walk to beach, coffee and restaurants if desired. Wonderful coffee at Sleepy Monk Roasters! Wayfarer is a great restaurant and they deliver to the park," notes one visitor. The campground provides a convenient base for coastal activities within walking distance.
Wildlife viewing: Sunset Lake Campground sits directly on the water for fishing and wildlife spotting. "We saw a huge blue herron and later a pair of bald eagles. Deer were grazing in the field right across the street from the camp entrance," shares a camper. Morning hours typically offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
Historical sites: Thousand Trails Seaside places you near significant historical landmarks. "Astoria and the Columbia River provide Lewis and Clark historical sites and Tillamook is a definite go to see facility. Portland is only an hour or so away via a scenic drive that has a natural water spring available to load up your water jugs," writes one RVer. Fort Stevens State Park and the Columbia River Maritime Museum are within 20-30 minutes by car.
What campers like
Seasonal events: Long Beach RV and Camping Resort puts you close to regional celebrations. "Ended up going during International Kite Festival! The beach is clean and lots of fun smaller cliffs to climb on. The International Kite Festival was in town couple miles up so we walked the beach to it few days while staying," reports a visitor. The festival typically runs in August with hundreds of colorful kites.
Indoor amenities: Astoria-Warrenton-Seaside KOA offers weather-independent facilities. "This is a great KOA...probably the best I've been to. It's very big with a lot of activity options including an indoor pool, playground and trails. Fort Stevens is right across the street and has a lot of great day activities as well," explains one camper. The heated pool remains open year-round.
Fishing access: Several campgrounds near Astoria cater to anglers with specific facilities. "The Columbia River estuary is just 10 miles away. Which is the place of the world class Buoy #10 Salmon fishery, every August - October. Both Large Chinook Salmon, and the feisty smaller, Coho (silver) salmon," explains a regular visitor. Crabbing opportunities exist in multiple locations throughout the area.
What you should know
Highway noise: RV Park At The Bridge deals with traffic sounds. "Noisy as the highway is right there. No beach access. Spendy ($45/night) when we were there," mentions one tent camper. Other visitors note: "Super nice bathrooms and laundry facility. Pretty well situated. Only downside is the highway noise." Sites furthest from the road are typically quieter.
Campground layouts: Most RV parks in the area have specific site arrangements worth understanding. "The north side and the south side. The north side has the getaway cabins, and cottages. It also has the pool/hot tub, cafe, group fire pit, kids play ground, and overflow parking. The north side is also the only side that has 50A power. The south side is all 30A."
Weather considerations: The coastal location means specific conditions throughout the year. "We come down here to get away from the heat, inland, area. It's usually 20-30 degrees cooler, than inland. So when the heat hits the valley, everyone runs to the coastline." Winter camping requires preparation for temperatures averaging 40-45°F with frequent rain.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Indoor swimming options provide reliable recreation regardless of weather. "The guys at the front area checking you in are awesome. The bathrooms are clean and the showers are hot. Each spot has a picnic table and electric available," notes a visitor at Columbia Shores RV Park. Several campgrounds maintain heated indoor pools for year-round swimming.
Safety awareness: Some campgrounds require extra caution with children. "You have to be careful with your kids. People don't drive the speed limit. It's 5mph. They drive like they are in the raceway," warns a regular visitor. Designated play areas are available at most larger resorts.
Educational opportunities: Wallicut River RV Resort & Campground positions families near learning experiences. "This is a good private campground just off Hyway 101 near Long Beach WA, the placement of the campground give a short drive to Long Beach or Astoria, OR both locations are loads of fun." The Columbia River Maritime Museum offers kid-friendly exhibits about shipping, fishing, and regional history.
Tips from RVers
Site orientation: Pay attention to hookup placement when reserving. "The odd numbered spots all have the sewer on the wrong side requiring a very long sewer hose extension that the hardware store nearby does have. Denis's Ace Hardware! I will say though... good luck finding an even numbered space." Extension hoses or additional length may be necessary at several area campgrounds.
Reservation timing: Summer months require significant advance planning. "The sites were the closest we've been to at a Thousand Trails, with no trees for privacy. What made the Seaside interesting was there wasn't much noise even though the sites were close to each other." Many RV parks fill completely during summer weekends and holiday periods.
Backing skills: Several parks have challenging site arrangements. "The spaces are very tight at 90 degree angles to the road. This requires backing skill level 10! The north side and middle give little room for it, and the south side has an area that at least gives some wiggle room." Consider pull-through sites if available for larger rigs or less experienced drivers.
