Bandon's coastal camping sits along Oregon's rugged southern coastline where the Coquille River meets the Pacific Ocean. Most campgrounds in the area sit between 20-50 feet above sea level, with the surrounding headlands rising to 100+ feet. The region typically receives 55-65 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush vegetation around campsites and consistent marine fog during summer mornings. Winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that can drop to the mid-30s.
What to do
Beach exploration: 0.75 miles from camp. The hike from Sunset Bay State Park Campground to its protected cove takes you through coastal forest. "There is a botanical garden, tide pools, swimming beaches," notes Elly A., who adds these natural attractions make it "so picturesque, it almost looks fake."
Wildlife viewing: Bring binoculars. Early mornings at Bastendorff Beach Park offer quiet bird watching opportunities along the beach. "We really enjoyed our stay here at Bastendorff beach. North bend is near by and it's just a beautiful place in Oregon right on the coats. Loved watching the fog roll in and exploring the tide pools," shares Jason L.
Lighthouse visits: 3 miles from campground. Bullards Beach State Park Campground provides access to a historic lighthouse. Rachel G. explains: "Beach is about 1 mile walk from campground. Lighthouse is about 3 miles from campground. Town of Bandon is right over the bridge about 3 miles."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many dog-friendly campgrounds near Bandon offer good separation between campsites. At Boice-Cope Campground, campers appreciate the layout. "The sites for the most part are nicely spaced. We were there in late December/early January, so we pretty much had the place to ourselves," reports MickandKarla W.
Clean facilities: Bathrooms and shower buildings receive regular maintenance. At Bastendorff Beach Park, one camper notes: "Brand new hot free showers close to the site. There is a day area open to the public overlooking the beach so lots of kid noise during the day but far off from our site."
Multi-use paths: Campers can walk directly to beaches without driving. A Boice-Cope Campground visitor shared: "The campground is within walking distance of the beach and also a lake. We did a lot of nature watching while sitting at the bench by the lake."
What you should know
Weather patterns vary dramatically: Coastal microclimates create significant differences between nearby campgrounds. At Cape Blanco State Park Campground, one camper cautions: "A bit windy. ...A lot of windy. but fantastic location and spots. Far walk from the beach at the site, but some very cool picnic areas, and a lot of privacy in the unique sites."
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds fill quickly during summer. Book several months in advance for peak periods (July-August).
Cell coverage varies: Service depends entirely on location and provider. At Sunset Bay State Park, a camper reports: "We had NO Verizon connection and limited Starlink connectivity — the beautiful tall trees obstruct the satellite visibility."
Tips for camping with families
Enclosed pet-friendly yurts: For families camping with dogs during wet weather, Bullards Beach offers weatherproof options. Jennifer C. notes: "They have tent camping and yurts. Highly recommend."
Playground accessibility: Sturdivant Park offers budget-friendly camping ($10/night) with play structures. "Fortress with a slide! Very kind camp host. Clean though there are train tracks with occasional sounds of heavy machinery at night," shares a visitor.
Bathroom proximity: Choose sites close to facilities when camping with young children. At Sunset Bay, "The women's bathroom is clean and also has a space heater running. How wonderfully, comfortable," according to Mea H.
Tips from RVers
Site angle considerations: Many RV sites require careful positioning. At Sunset Bay State Park Campground, Jeff M. advises: "This is an older park and wasn't designed for today's RVs. The driveways are narrow and so are the sites leaving little room for maneuvering and for the slide outs."
Utilities placement: Check hookup locations before booking. At Boice-Cope, "The water and electricity were at the back of the site, and we needed about 25 feet of water hose and an electric cord. They also had decent water pressure."
Urban convenience options: For RVers seeking in-town access, consider smaller parks with quality amenities. According to Misty Z., b.side motel+rv offers "solid" electricity where she "tested the 30 amp and electricity is solid. The WiFi was the best we have encountered."
