Camping cabins near Cannon Beach offer protected shelter from coastal weather patterns that bring an average of 90 inches of annual rainfall to this section of the Oregon coast. Situated between Highway 101 and the Pacific shoreline, most cabin accommodations sit at elevations below 100 feet, making them ideal base camps for exploring the region's diverse ecosystems. Winter temperatures typically range from 40-55°F while summer averages 55-70°F with occasional fog patterns.
What to do
Tidepooling at low tide: Visit Cape Lookout State Park during morning low tides to explore abundant marine life. "Do the Cape Lookout peninsula hike! Gorgeous views without great effort. Lots of tree roots that will tire your feet but not a strenuous hike overall: ~5 miles roundtrip," notes Kayla S. about the Cape Lookout State Park Campground.
Horseback riding on the beach: Several rental stables operate near Nehalem Bay State Park, offering guided rides. "Great dune area. Always horses riding on the beach too. Super neat experience," says Jamie B. from a visit to Nehalem Bay State Park Campground.
Historical exploration: Fort Stevens State Park features military installations dating from the Civil War through World War II. "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!" advises Gail S.
Crabbing excursions: Rent equipment from coastal marinas during summer months. "Great location - Go crabbing at Kelly's and then horseback riding on the beach!" suggests Jean M. after staying at Nehalem Bay State Park.
What campers like
Proximity to attractions: Cannon Beach RV Resort places visitors within walking distance of town amenities. "Walk to Haystack Rock," notes Mari H., adding that it's "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" at Cannon Beach RV Resort.
Remodeled facilities: State parks regularly upgrade their amenities. "Campground just opened back up after redoing it - the bathrooms are very nice and the rv pads and electric is redone," reports Diana L. about Nehalem Bay.
Seclusion options: Some campgrounds offer more private sites. According to Nathan R., "We love how much privacy is usually found between sites. For the most part, trees and bushes are substantial enough to make your site feel like you have your own sanctuary" at Cape Lookout State Park.
Beach access: Multiple campgrounds provide direct paths to the shore. "We loved it there! It was such a short walk to the beach and you could hear the waves when you're going to sleep!" shares Trina C. from Cape Lookout.
What you should know
Seasonal booking patterns: Summer reservations fill quickly at popular campgrounds. "This resort is very nice. The power was rock solid. There is free WiFi that works great early in the day but slows to a crawl at night. ATT reception is very limited," warns Misty Z. about Sea Ranch Resort.
Weather preparedness: Coastal cabins provide shelter but visitors should prepare for rapid changes. "We visited during COVID so a lot of stuff was limited to reservation or closed. It was still nice. Great proximity to town," reports C M. about Cannon Beach RV Resort.
Elk encounters: Wildlife regularly visits some campgrounds. "The Elk greeted us and were eating all the flowers as we entered," shares Brandon K. about Cannon Beach RV Resort.
Limited cell service: Many coastal campgrounds have poor connectivity. "I got zero reception in the campground. I use Verizon," notes Christina F. about Cape Disappointment State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Some facilities offer better recreational infrastructure. "The campground is split up into two sides. 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. Pickleball/tennis courts," explains Tracy at Thousand Trails Seaside.
Educational opportunities: Marine science centers provide indoor activities during inclement weather. "There is a two mile bike/walking path through the woods and along the bay. The beach is only a five minute walk away," notes smittie about Nehalem Bay State Park.
Sand dune exploration: Several campgrounds feature natural play areas. "I spent many a year at this campground, letting the kids (who am I kidding, me) run up and down the big sand dune and play on the tree at the top! BBQs, fires, music, ice cream down the street and fishing off the jetty," says Richelle H. about Barview Jetty County Campground.
Indoor facilities: When weather turns, having indoor options helps. "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," shares Alicia F. about KOA facilities.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose sites based on your specific needs. "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. about Cannon Beach RV Resort.
Dump station logistics: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. "No sewer hook up, so you had to use a dump station. Not a huge inconvenience," notes C M. about Nehalem Bay State Park.
Winter accessibility: Some campgrounds remain open year-round with reduced services. "We've lived in Oregon forever but never visited this park. RV spots are nice and level but not much privacy between spaces. Very nice setup with yurts right across the drive from RVs in loop A," explains smittie from Nehalem Bay.
Utility reliability: Power fluctuations can occur during coastal storms. "This campground is right on Barview Jetty near Rockaway and Garibaldi. There is a large climbable dune just inside the park that is great for exploring and seems to be popular with kids," says Kelly P. about the Astoria-Warrenton-Seaside KOA.
