Cannon Beach RV facilities cater to various camping preferences with options stretching beyond the immediate coastline. Most motorhome sites require reservations, especially during summer when coastal Oregon temperatures average 65-70°F with foggy mornings. Several campgrounds offer tent camping alongside RV accommodations for travelers seeking alternatives to full-hookup sites.
What to do
Beach exploration: Walk to Haystack Rock. Cannon Beach RV Resort provides convenient beach access without requiring highway crossings. "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," writes Mari H.
Crabbing: Rent equipment on-site. Jetty Fishery Marina & RV Park offers equipment rentals and preparation services for fresh seafood catches. "You can rent items to go crabbing or just eat some of their fresh clams, oysters and crab. We did a bit both! Staff is friendly and hard working," notes Jaime K. The park maintains dock access for crabbing and fishing activities.
Wildlife viewing: Watch for elk and birds. Coastal areas near Cannon Beach host diverse wildlife throughout the year. "Elk greeted us and were eating all the flowers as we entered," reports Brandon K. about his stay at Cannon Beach RV Resort. The area's wetlands and forests attract various bird species, particularly during migration seasons.
What campers like
Indoor amenities: Year-round comfort. Thousand Trails Seaside offers indoor recreation options for rainy coastal days. "The campground has all the normal facilities and amenities... activities we found at the campground to keep busy was a very nice indoor pool, indoor sauna, indoor spa and exercise room with treadmills," explains Jeff C. These facilities provide alternatives when outdoor activities aren't feasible.
Proximity to towns: Quick access to services. The area's RV parks provide convenient access to coastal communities. "Walking distance to the beach and Cannon Beach 'downtown'," notes Jennifer G. Many campers appreciate being able to walk or bike to restaurants, shops, and other services without moving their rigs.
Cleanliness: Well-maintained facilities. Many visitors comment on the cleanliness of bathroom and shower facilities. "The bathrooms are clean and well kept. Times for bathhouses in winter are minimal which isn't optimal but in the summer they are open all the time," states Sonya A. about Paradise Cove RV Resort & Marina. Clean facilities remain a priority for campers choosing RV parks over more rustic options.
What you should know
Site differences: North vs. south sides. Some parks maintain distinct camping areas with different amenities. "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. The north side is also the only side that has 50A power. The south side is all 30A," explains Tracy about Thousand Trails Seaside.
Cost factors: Premium locations command higher rates. RV parks near Cannon Beach charge premium rates compared to inland options. "Expensive ($80-90/night) but great facilities in a good location. Great showers, internet, hookups, pool and campsites," shares Mark B. about Cannon Beach RV Resort. Budget-conscious travelers may need to book further from prime beach areas.
Weather considerations: Temperature differences from inland. Coastal areas often maintain cooler temperatures than inland regions. "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," notes Tracy. This temperature difference attracts summer visitors seeking relief from inland heat.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Indoor swimming options. Astoria-Warrenton-Seaside KOA provides family-friendly amenities year-round. "A very busy campground with lots of things to keep you occupied and make the weekend go by way to quick," shares Scott S. The indoor pool facilities remain popular with families regardless of weather conditions.
Safety awareness: Monitor vehicle traffic. Parents should remain vigilant about campground traffic, especially in busy parks. "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 Tracy about Thousand Trails Seaside. Designated play areas provide safer alternatives to roadways within RV parks.
Activity options: Organized recreation. Many parks offer scheduled activities for children. "Tons of family friendly activities," notes David M. about the Astoria-Warrenton-Seaside KOA. These may include seasonal events, game nights, or outdoor recreation depending on the park and time of year.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Request outer spots. Harborview Inn and RV Park and similar facilities offer varying site layouts. "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. Corner or end sites typically provide more space and privacy.
Internet access: Variable performance. Connectivity varies across rv parks in Cannon Beach, Oregon region. "The WiFi has been decent (2-5Mb) with no real latency or packet loss. I use a router to repeat the campgrounds network with our same WiFi name that our devices always connect to, and allows us to all use a VPN without having to install anything," shares Tyler F. from Cannon Beach RV Resort. Many parks offer Wi-Fi, though performance may decrease during peak usage hours.
Parking arrangements: Space limitations. Larger rigs should confirm site dimensions before booking. "The pull trough sites are a bit narrow, but are adequate. The views and room around us was incredible until they filled up as you can imagine," notes Patrick J. about Harborview Inn and RV Park. Access roads within some parks may present challenges for larger motorhomes.
