Fort Stevens State Park Campground near Gearhart offers over 480 campsites within a coastal forest setting. Located about 15 miles northwest of Gearhart, the park combines historical military installations with diverse natural environments. The campground maintains separated camping loops with varying levels of tree coverage and site privacy, while seasonal mosquito activity peaks during May through August in wooded areas.
What to do
Beach exploration at Peter Iredale shipwreck: Visit the iconic shipwreck remains at Fort Stevens State Park Campground, a popular sunset photography location. "Visiting the Iredale shipwreck especially at sunset is beautiful. Also visiting the forts and cannons are fun. Bring mosquito repellent!" notes Gail S.
Tidepooling at low tide: Nehalem Bay offers excellent tidepooling opportunities when water recedes. "When we went the tide had gone out leaving little tide pools around. It was very nice," shares Deanna F. from Nehalem Bay State Park Campground.
Creek wading and fishing: Jones Creek provides shallow, family-friendly water access. "The river is where it's at, folks are swimming, tubing and fishing dawn to dusk. Folks jumping off the bridge and having picnics," reports Aria R. The unpaved access roads require careful driving during wet weather.
What campers like
Forest trail diversity: The extensive trail network at L.L. Stub Stewart State Park offers multiple difficulty levels. "The park has many hiking trails of varying length, access to the Banks-Vernonia State Trail, several disc golf courses, cabins, a horse camp, a day use picnic/event area and a hike-in camp area," explains Shane B. from Dairy Creek East.
Spacious equestrian facilities: The Hares Canyon Horse Camp features dedicated equestrian sites with corrals. "Each site has a picnic table, fire pit, and a corral. There is a double corral on the double sites," reports Stephanie Z. from Hares Canyon Horse Camp.
Secluded camping options: For those seeking more private sites away from crowds, tent camping areas offer better separation. "The tent pads are a typical woodsy mix of pine straw, leaves, and loose gravel. Sleeping pads are a blessing, but so are nicely stacked lead piles in a pinch," says Nathan R., describing the walk-in sites at L.L. Stub Stewart.
What you should know
Limited cell coverage: Many equestrian campgrounds near Gearhart have unreliable phone service. "Sprint and Verizon have no signal for sure and no Wi-fi is available," warns Schona K. at Camp Wilkerson, which offers both tent and horse camping options.
Seasonal booking challenges: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during summer months. "With covid it's been harder to find a spot last min and they would only let you reserve 30 days in advance so planning something in advance was impossible," shares Shane about L.L. Stub Stewart State Park.
Wildlife encounters: Bobcats and other wildlife sometimes visit campsites. "When we came back from the shower my wife and I observed a dark shadow darting from the table around the back corner of the tent... A bobcat to be exact," recounts Patrick G. Secure food properly and maintain awareness.
Tips for camping with families
Gear transport assistance: Some walk-in sites provide carts to transport equipment. "The hike in is pretty easy—about a quarter mile down the up. They have carts to help you get all your stuff to your spot in one trip which is very helpful," explains Jenny R. about Brooke Creek Hike-in Camp.
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. "Good paved loop for kids to ride bikes. All stores are back in but there's a decent bit of room between stores, especially compared to some PNW coast campgrounds," mentions C.M. about Nehalem Bay.
Mosquito preparation: Bug protection is essential in wooded areas. "Oregon is well known for it's magnificent state parks, and this is no exception... Unfortunately in May, the mosquitos were out in full force in the campground," cautions Gary M. about Fort Stevens State Park.
Tips from RVers
RV pad limitations: Check site dimensions carefully before booking at horse campgrounds near Gearhart. "While primarily a horse-friendly campsite, there are few RV/tent sites, but definitely not friendly for larger RVs. My 2001 Tacoma with a RTT was perfect, but I don't think the sites are built for large-ish RVs," advises Daniel S. about Clatsop State Forest Northrup Creek Horse Campground.
Water pressure variations: Be prepared for inconsistent water service at some campgrounds. "The water pressure was not very good at around 35 psi," notes MickandKarla W. about L.L. Stub Stewart State Park. Consider bringing a pressure regulator and extra water.
Parking considerations for horse trailers: Ensure your site accommodates both your RV and horse trailer. "The campground is set up in one loop and offers both single and double sites," explains Stephanie Z. Some equestrian sites include pull-through options while others require backing in.
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