174 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The coastal region surrounding Gardiner, Oregon provides a mix of state park and Forest Service campgrounds accommodating tent camping, RV sites, cabins, and yurts. Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park and Umpqua Lighthouse State Park offer year-round camping with options ranging from primitive sites to full-hookup RV accommodations. Winchester Bay RV Resort provides waterfront camping for those seeking proximity to fishing and crabbing opportunities. Several campgrounds in the area feature easy access to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, one of the largest expanses of coastal sand dunes in North America.
Reservations are essential during summer months when coastal campgrounds routinely reach capacity. Most state parks and Forest Service campgrounds require advance booking through reservation systems, with many sites bookable up to six months ahead. "Some of these spaces are very small. We had to camp in a different space than the one I reserved because it was so tiny it wouldn't have fit more than 2 people," noted one camper about Tahkenitch Campground. Access roads are generally well-maintained, though certain Forest Service campgrounds have rougher approaches. Cell service varies significantly, with stronger signals near larger communities like Florence and spotty coverage in more remote coastal areas. Weather patterns include frequent coastal fog, particularly in morning hours, and steady winds that can affect tent camping comfort.
Campers consistently praise the region for its proximity to outdoor recreation opportunities. The nearby dunes provide ATV and dirtbike riding, while the coastal waters support crabbing, fishing, and boating. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, campgrounds near the dunes tend to experience more noise from recreational vehicles. A visitor remarked, "This campsite is awesome. Been coming here since 2003 and it never disappoints. We camp close to the sand so we can take our dirtbikes out early." Sites at Winchester Bay RV Resort receive high marks for cleanliness and bay views. Forest campgrounds like Tahkenitch and Eel Creek offer more seclusion and direct access to hiking trails leading through coastal forests to the dunes and beaches. Most campgrounds maintain clean facilities with varying levels of amenities, from basic vault toilets to full-service shower buildings.
"We stayed here at the group site and it was great—huge field, winding paths through heavy forest to arrive at a beautiful, sunny lake."
"Special and unique landscape right in the center of Oregon Dunes. We love it here. Located close to the quant town of Florence. Lots of nearby hikes, beach access, and of course the dunes. Enjoy!"
from $32 - $128 / night
Check Availability"I am a big fan of the Oregon state parks. This one stands out. The park looks like it was done by a landscape architect. Kudos to whoever designed this place."
"Make it up to the top, and you'll be rewarded with an out of the way, minimally populated camp tucked into the trees just past the lighthouse, and with trails, wildlife and brand new bathrooms and showers"
from $29 - $141 / night
Check Availability"We stay at Tugman often because it’s a great Oregon State Campground and is conveniently located off Hwy 101 and close to a lot of outdoor activities the southern coast of Oregon has to offer."
"Another Oregon state park wins again. Campsites feel tucked away in the forest. It was beautiful even when it was raining. Hardly anyone here in early March."
from $26 - $88 / night
Check Availability"Walking and bike path surrounds the park. Close to the small community of Winchester Bay that has a grocery store and restaurants. Just a great park."
"Park has a nice walking path that goes around the outside along the bay."
"Most sites contain a drive thru entrance with tent pad sites placed within large buses for privacy. The camproudn has a new flush toilets with sink & handdryer."
"I've been aware of the Eel Creek Campground since I started hiking the John Dellenback trail a few years ago. The trailhead is in Lakeside, OR, off Hwy 101 on the Oregon coast."
from $22 - $44 / night
Check Availability"Beautiful park on the Oregon coast just outside of the Oregon Dunes national park. Great people and clean well kept facilities."
"This is one of our favorite campgrounds, very similar to Thousand Trails Pacific City."
"The sites for the tent are a little walk behind the picnic bench. The site was quiet and surrounded by trees. It was full but didn’t feel like too many people. The hike to the dune was fun."
"Great starting place for the a hike to the beach through the Oregon dunes."
from $22 - $44 / night
Check Availability"We arrived after dark and simply drove into the campsite and looked around until we found a spot."
"Spacious sites, water nearby, clean bathrooms. Showers are located at an adjacent campground populated by bigger RVs and dune buggy enthusiasts. They create noise, but it’s tolerable."
from $22 / night
Check Availability"Handicapped accessible walking trail about one mile around campground. No ATV access, you will need to drive down the road to a day use site with adjacent dune access. Quiet. No utilities."
"This campground is located right on a lagoon, hence the name, with close beach and dune access. It also has some hiking and kayaking opportunities."
from $22 / night
Check Availability"The only consideration would be that all the campsites next to the lake are not recommended for people with mobility issues. "
"It’s the closest spot to the lake. The lake is small but very beautiful and easy kayaking/floating. The campground was quiet and very relaxing. Restrooms were clean."
from $22 / night
Check Availability
GuidePlenty of good pull offs all along the service road, and the road itself is really well maintained. Some spots have better phone service than others, obviously, and I found one with perfect service. Stayed two nights and saw maybe five total vehicles pass me by.
TravelerPerfect for those in a van. It’s cheap and right on the beach. No hook ups
Just be aware of those with their generators on all night.
TravelerMainly just a parking lot only one or two real campsites that felt like camping. She would probably work if you were there to ride ATVs
TravelerThe sides were almost all in disrepair very overgrown and not maintained This area did not feel safe
TravelerThe sites can be a little tricky for a larger rig especially with so many pull through sites that have large trees impeding. The campground is well maintained and the camp host was incredible. He even brought us wood to burn for our fire. Our site was very private and clean. The trail to the dunes was super cool although could be challenging to climb up to the top from our loop.
ScoutI noticed right off the bat that the campsite was very big and very nice. There is a spot for tents, rvs and there is a few cabins that I could see. I did not see any yurts. There is a very clean good sized bathroom with flushing toilets. And a shower room one for men one for women by the bathrooms. There is a nice playground for the kids, lots of kids riding their bikes and scooters around here so be careful with driving. Most of the parents let their kids just ride their bike around without watching them and a couple of kids came up on my blindside, thankfully my husband spotted them. There is a nice lookout spot with bench’s to view the beach. There is a big gazebo to possibly have parties etc with lots of tables and bench’s. This place is big but walkable. And it is dog friendly!
GuideOnline booking was easy and the space we chose was compact, barely fitting our 25' trailer w/ truck. It came with a table and firepit and was near the bathrooms/shower. I'm not sure if it was the time of year, but even though there were camp hosts and caretakers driving around, there was no 'check-in' process and they didn't stop to greet us. We didn't receive any info in the reservation email, including the bathroom code (which my husband had to track down & learned it has to be changed weekly). So we just found our spot, got set up and went in search of the sand.
You can walk out of the campground and down the road to the beach, but driving is easiest. If you have dogs, this will be your happy place! This is the dog-friendliest beach I've ever been on & the weather was perfect for kite-flying! The Nut made lots of friends and got all her zoomies out!
The campground is nestled in forest, with most sites separated by shrubbery or fencing for privacy, but it's still pretty cozy. We had electric & water hookups at our site, and there is a dump station available. Because of the tree cover, this was the first time on our trip that we had issues with Starlink obstructions, but Verizon had 3 bars 4G, so we still had decent service. We really enjoyed sitting on the benches at the edge of the park and watching the sunset & the Nut can't wait to come back and play on the beach!
TravelerThis place was perfect for our little getaway we had. The glamping tents have everything you need, super comfortable bed, wood burning stove, utensils, plates, bedding, charger, lights, fans, hammock, party cooler, and a deck that walks out onto the water. It’s honestly amazing.
The hosts were fantastic and very welcoming. They made sure we were well taken care of. There’s also a communal pavilion with a grill, microwave, coffee, games, and a giant fire place.
If you have time, I would recommend a nice kayak around the lake and of course the Rock Slides which are natures water park.
I was confused on the other review here that said no dogs in the tent, as I didn’t have that experience. They just prefer they don’t sleep on the furniture if they are dirty, which sounded reasonable to us. The facility and water ways was also immaculate.
This place was a dream come true, and we will definitely be back here for years to come. Great job!
GuideWarning ⚠️‼️ 4x4 is an absolute must here — and even then it can still get risky. We first took the wrong trail and ended up heading straight up a dune toward the beach after passing the staging area. We were in a Tacoma SR5 (not a TRD) with a rear diff lock and all-terrain tires, and we still almost got stuck digging into the dune climbing up. I was honestly worried that if we crested the top and dropped onto the beach, we may not have made it back out.
Thankfully I was able to reverse back down the dune and return to the staging area. We talked with some guys there and finally figured out the correct trail to the camping area.
Technically you do need a permit online. We paid for ours, although several people there claimed nobody ever checks and they never pay. Your call, your risk.
We arrived late and were a little stressed trying to secure a spot before dark because I absolutely did not want to get stranded out there overnight needing recovery. I ended up walking about a quarter mile through the sand to Site #1 first to see if the route looked manageable. After checking it out, I felt confident enough from previous beach and snow driving experience to carefully work our way in.
Even then, while we were there:
So seriously — be careful and don’t get stranded out at these sites.
In an emergency, you could probably sleep in the main parking/staging area that says “No Overnight Parking,” although there is a nearby host, so I wouldn’t count on it. To clarify, you are not actually on the beach, with ocean views here.
Despite all that, I’d still stay again
The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area dominates the region around Gardiner, Oregon, extending over 40 miles from Florence to Coos Bay. This area transitions between coastal forest and expansive sand formations, creating diverse camping environments with temperatures averaging 65-70°F during summer months, dropping to 45-55°F after dark. Many camping sites near Gardiner maintain year-round access, though winter camping often means dealing with significant coastal rainfall.
Dunes hiking access: Direct trail connections from Eel Creek Campground provide a quieter alternative to OHV areas. "The John Dellenback Dunes Trail, is an absolute must, especially at Dawn or Dusk, it's an other worldly experience," noted a camper who visits regularly.
Lake activities: William M. Tugman State Park offers water recreation without beach crowds. "There is a pretty lake trail and lots of recreation in the area. We had a nice night for the most part but it definitely wasn't our style. Too many people, sites too close, lots of noise, lots of rvs and atvs," notes one visitor who stayed during a holiday weekend.
Crabbing excursions: Several waterfront locations cater to crabbing enthusiasts with equipment rentals available in nearby towns. "We were able to cast our crab snares right off the back of our site and limit out. Park has a nice walking path that goes around the outside along the bay," reports a visitor to Winchester Bay.
Privacy levels: Carter Lake Campground offers some of the area's most secluded sites. "Get a site above the lake; great access and just the right amount of privacy. Unlike some camp sites in the area, this one doesn't have dune buggy noise," explains one camper who sought a quieter experience.
Lagoon access: Lagoon Campground combines inland water proximity with coastal access. "We stayed in the second loop where they had large sites for haulers/trailers. The site was secluded, and felt some what private. We had our trailer and two trucks to block the view of the bathroom and other sites," writes one visitor who appreciated the spacious layout.
Winter availability: Unlike many coastal areas that close seasonally, several campgrounds maintain year-round operation. "We flew into Oregon and drove down the coast from Portland. Tugman is more towards the southern end of the Oregon Coast but in and around the Oregon Dunes area. Very nice facilities and we stayed in a yurt there," shares a camper who reserved well in advance.
Reservation windows: The six-month booking window fills quickly, especially for summer weekends and holidays. "Pro tip—we made our reservations way in advance. I would highly recommend that if you know you're going to book as soon as possible, 6 months out if possible. We got the last yurt available for the time period we were out there," advises a visitor to William M. Tugman State Park.
Site selection strategy: Tahkenitch Campground and similar locations offer varied site configurations. "Campground doesn't have a formal check-in process. Reservations made online or over the phone only. Some campsites are amazing, and others are not so great. The good sites are spacious, secluded, and do not have a driveway. They are hidden in the brush 20-30 yards from where you can park the car."
ATV noise considerations: Engine sounds carry throughout the dune areas, affecting even non-OHV campgrounds. "This campground had everything you need. Fire pit and table ready for you. Grounds are accessible and when you've been driving all night it's exactly what you're looking for."
Bathroom facilities: Waxmyrtle Campground maintains higher sanitation standards than more remote locations. "Good variety of sites, clean, easy access. Picnic tables and fire pits at every site. Water stations and pit toilets available," notes a camper who appreciated the well-maintained facilities.
Kid-friendly swimming: Several area lakes provide safer alternatives to ocean swimming. "The lake is small but very beautiful and easy kayaking/floating. The campground was quiet and very relaxing. Restrooms were clean. Fire pit and picnic table at site."
Mobility considerations: Lakeside sites often require navigating stairs or trails. "The only consideration would be that all the campsites next to the lake are not recommended for people with mobility issues. The parking is on an upper level with the actual campsite on a lower level accessed by a trail or stairs."
Hookup limitations: Most Forest Service campgrounds lack electrical connections. "Large well kept and maintained park. Convenient to restaurants, shops and markets in and near harbor. All within walking distance. Dune attractions and dune vehicle rentals nearby."
Leveling challenges: Many sites require additional stabilization equipment. "We needed just 1 night and was able to find a spot for the night to relax in the woods. Spaces were spacious for our 43ft 5th wheel and truck. Starlink on roof was slow, but was just fin for a relaxing night."
Winter camping considerations: Seasonal rain creates drainage issues at lower elevation sites. "This is a great campground!! We stayed from 25 Feb - 2 March. The Oregon Coast had had a ton of rain in the last few weeks, so parts of the campground were under water. The Lesson: we arrived in mid-afternoon and quickly chose a site and got everything set up. It was one of the lesser flooded sites, but still very very muddy."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Gardiner, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, Gardiner, OR offers a wide range of camping options, with 174 campgrounds and RV parks near Gardiner, OR and 10 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Gardiner, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Gardiner, OR is Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 73 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Gardiner, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 free dispersed camping spots near Gardiner, OR.
What parks are near Gardiner, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Gardiner, OR that allow camping, notably Siuslaw National Forest and Fern Ridge Lake.
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