Camping spots near Bandon, Oregon typically stay quieter during fall and winter, with temperatures averaging 45-55°F from November through February. The Coquille River watershed creates unique estuary environments where freshwater meets saltwater, attracting diverse wildlife to campgrounds in the area. Wind conditions vary significantly between inland campgrounds and those directly on the coast.
What to do
Beach exploration: Cape Blanco State Park Campground offers coastal access via the Coastal Trail running through camp. "You can follow it North for a half mile through the trees while listening to the ocean waves. You'll pop out into a meadow of wild flowers and tall grasses overlooking the ocean and out towards the Cape Blanco lighthouse," notes Ryan W.
Crabbing: Coquille River fishing is accessible from many campgrounds in the area. Rachel G. mentions at Bullards Beach that "Town of Bandon is right over the bridge about 3 miles. Restaurants and stores." Local campers recommend Tony's Crab Shack for seafood after your own crabbing adventures.
Lighthouse visits: Several historic lighthouses remain accessible year-round. One camper at Bastendorff Beach Park noted it's a "Great jumping off point for cape arago & sunset bay!" The lighthouse at Cape Blanco is "the oldest on the Oregon coast and you can get a tour of it," according to Tim W.
Water activities: The inland waterways provide alternatives to ocean recreation. At Boice-Cope Campground, "There is a lake that had wind coming from the south for 3 months out of the year. People from all over the world come to surf there. Met people from Nicaragua who had come just to surf," shares Tim W.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Several Bandon-area campgrounds feature natural barriers between campsites. At Sunset Bay State Park Campground, "the campsites are fairly private, separated from each other by thick hedges," according to Sarah. Similarly at Cape Blanco, "the plants surrounding the sites keep out most of the coastal wind and also provide plenty of privacy from other sites."
Convenient town access: Many appreciate being able to explore Bandon while camping nearby. At b.side motel+rv, "We had a great time walking/biking into old town Bandon to eat & rode a bit further to the beach," explains Mitch K. The central location puts campers within "15 minutes to old town" according to another reviewer.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently highlight well-maintained bathrooms. "Bathrooms and showers were clean and nice. Attendant at the front office was helpful and friendly when all the hosts were off duty at 7 pm when we arrived," notes Amy R. about Sunset Bay. At Bullards Beach, "They have bathrooms and showers if needed. Close to beach and nice to walk around campgrounds with 3 camping areas."
Wildlife viewing: The coastal location provides excellent nature watching opportunities. John B. describes seeing "seals being noisy out in the ocean" at Sunset Bay. At Boice-Cope, one camper mentions doing "a lot of nature watching while sitting at the bench by the lake."
What you should know
Wind conditions: Coastal exposure creates significant wind at certain campgrounds. At Bay Point Landing, one camper noted: "We were here for 3 nights. The sites are nice length and width. We had a back up site, with the water 50' away... It was howling 30 mph with fog when we checked in and lasted through the night."
Reservation timing: For summer stays, book well ahead. "We showed up the day of and ended up getting the last spot" at Bullards Beach, according to Grace A., who added it "was a super cool spot with a little path into a woodsy area."
Weather variations: Microclimates affect different campgrounds dramatically. At Sunset Bay, "While only a few miles away in the Oregon Dunes or south towards Bandon it's sunny and 80's in August but around Sunset Bay it's cloudy, misting and 68."
Site privacy differences: Many campgrounds have varied site layouts. At Bastendorff Beach Park, "The sites are packed in super tight, and at least the one I was staying in had a 3 foot tall bush serving as the only privacy barrier between myself and my neighbors who were about 5 feet away from me on either side."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer better facilities for children. Andrea M. found that Sunset Bay "is one of the most beautiful campgrounds I've been to. Very green with lots of cheerful birds chirping in the morning." However, at Boice-Cope, Tim W. notes "There are no playgrounds for the kids."
Beach distance considerations: Walking distance to water varies significantly. At Bullards Beach, "The beach is about 1 mile walk from campground," while Rachel G. mentions "Lighthouse is about 3 miles from campground." At other sites, like Bastendorff, the beach is "a 1/4 walk or drive" according to Vicky G.
Kid-friendly bathrooms: Look for campgrounds with reliable facilities. Bay Point Landing offers "huge clean bathrooms" and even a "saltwater pool" that Greg W. says his family loved. Meanwhile, some state parks have more rustic options – at Boice-Cope, showers cost "$1.50 for 6 minutes for delightfully hot water and good pressure."
Tips from RVers
Connectivity considerations: Internet access varies greatly between sites. At Sunset Bay, Sarah reports "We had NO Verizon connection and limited Starlink connectivity — the beautiful tall trees obstruct the satellite visibility." Meanwhile at Coquille River RV Park, connectivity is stronger.
Site sizing: Check actual measurements before booking. Misty Z. at b.side motel+rv notes "All 8 are back in spots but the angles are easy" and "Tested the 30 amp and electricity is solid." At Boice-Cope, "The campsites are all black-top paved. Take the campsite size to heart. If it's listed for 21 feet then it's only 21 feet long."
RV restrictions: Some campgrounds have age limitations. Doug O. mentions that at Bay Point Landing, "There's a 'no trailers older than 10 years rule'. Our renovated Vintage '64 Airstream needed a pre-approval."
