Coastal Oregon RV camping offers access to beach activities, dune adventures, and fishing opportunities. Winchester Bay sits on the central Oregon coast, 18 miles southwest of Reedsport, where summer temperatures typically range from 50-70°F with frequent morning fog. Most RV campgrounds near Gardiner, Oregon remain open year-round with varying seasonal amenities and occupancy patterns.
What to do
Crabbing from campgrounds: Winchester Bay offers exceptional crabbing opportunities directly from the resort area. "We were able to cast our crab snares right off the back of our site and limit out," notes a visitor at Winchester Bay RV Resort. The resort provides convenient access to crabbing piers and equipment.
Beach exploration: The mile-long beach at Sun Outdoors Coos Bay provides ideal conditions for tide pool discovery during low tide. "At low tide you can walk out to the tide pools where you can see various marine life including starfish," reports a camper. The wide, flat beach area makes exploration accessible for most ability levels.
Boating and water recreation: Loon Lake offers water-based activities including kayaking and motorized boating. "We rented a boat from the marina and spent most of one day on the water," shares a visitor at Loon Lake Lodge and RV Resort. Many lakeside campgrounds rent watercraft directly on-site.
What campers like
Proximity to local services: Campers appreciate the walkable access to coastal towns and services. "Short walk to pizza, fish, and shops. Lots of grassy areas for dogs," notes a reviewer about Winchester Bay. Many coastal campgrounds position visitors within walking distance of restaurants, fishing docks, and small markets.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathroom facilities matter to campers in this region. "Very nice campgrounds, very friendly hosts! Nice clean bathrooms and showers, highly recommended it," mentions a visitor to Sun Outdoors Coos Bay. Most established campgrounds offer shower facilities, though quality and availability vary.
Lake access: Waterfront camping creates prime fishing and recreation opportunities. "Great water access for boating, canoeing, kayaking," notes a visitor at Osprey Point RV Resort. Lakefront campgrounds typically feature boat launches, fishing docks, and sometimes dedicated swimming areas.
What you should know
Uneven terrain: Many coastal Oregon campgrounds require leveling equipment. "Most sites are paved and flat. Has a fire pit and picnic table. Full hookups," shares a camper at Sun Outdoors Coos Bay, though this varies significantly between parks. Bring leveling blocks if traveling with an RV.
Reservation requirements: Demand runs high during summer and fall. "We had called ahead of time to determine the best site to reserve," notes a visitor, indicating the importance of advance planning. Many campgrounds allow booking 6-12 months in advance.
Site privacy concerns: Site spacing varies significantly between parks. "Spaces are pretty close together and turns are tight. There are some big rigs here, so it can work for you big guys," explains a camper at Osprey Point RV Resort. Research individual site dimensions when booking.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming beaches: Limited swimming areas exist along the coast, but inland lakes offer better options. "The swimming (sandy) beach is cosy (read: tiny). There are no lifeguards on duty but enough trees offering shade for parents/families to sit back and keep watch," writes a visitor to Loon Lake Lodge and RV Resort.
Kid-friendly accommodations: Several resorts offer alternative lodging for families without camping gear. "We stayed in October of 2021, we liked it enough to come back and have our kids and their families meet us here. On our latest visit our children and grand children stayed in the cottages they have on site," shares a visitor to Sun Outdoors Coos Bay.
Playground access: Limited playground facilities exist at rv campgrounds near Gardiner, Oregon. "No kids playground, but does have a fish cleaning station and a bar that's open till 10," notes a camper at Osprey Point RV Resort. Bring portable recreation equipment if traveling with children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Explore the entire property before settling on a site when possible. "The lesson, .....look at the entire campground before you pick your spot," advises an RVer at Thousand Trails South Jetty. This particularly applies during wet seasons when some areas may flood.
Campground navigation: Large rigs face challenges in some parks. "Notice the asphalt spaces were not very level. Most RV/Campers had to use blocks to level out," confirms another visitor. Narrow interior roads can create tight turning situations.
Seasonal considerations: Winter camping requires planning for wet conditions. "The Oregon Coast had had a ton of rain in the last few weeks, so parts of the campground were under water," warns a winter visitor to Thousand Trails South Jetty. Check weather forecasts and ask about site drainage when making reservations during rainy seasons.
