The Brookings area sits where the Chetco River meets the Pacific Ocean at the southern edge of Oregon. Camping options spread inland from coastal sites to riverside locations approximately 8 miles up the Chetco River valley, with elevations ranging from sea level to 500 feet. Winter temperatures typically stay above freezing even during December and January, with average summer highs in the mid-60s to low-70s, making year-round camping viable.
What to do
River swimming at warmer inland sites: Alfred A. Loeb State Park Campground offers access to the Chetco River, which maintains warmer water temperatures than coastal areas. "The Chetco is the most gorgeous river I have ever been lucky enough to swim in. Honestly the campground could have been a dump and I might not have even noticed due to how dazzled I was by the river, which flowed gently behind my site. I swam for hours, walked into camp for a hot shower & dinner, stared up at the stars before bed," reports one camper.
Explore redwood groves: Jedidiah Smith Campground is located 30 minutes south of Brookings across the California border. "Stunning trails, trees older than the pyramids, friendly people and grand views! We went in August and the ocean air kept the forest at a comfortable temperature. There's lots of exploring in the area and ranger led river trips," notes one visitor.
Beach access with tide pools: Coastal camping provides direct ocean access for wildlife viewing. "Harris Beach is so beautiful! There are a couple great trails to the beach and during low tide, you can explore the tide pools. We saw hundreds of hermit crabs, anemone, starfish, sculpin, and more. Sunsets are also phenomenal," writes a camper about Harris Beach State Park.
What campers like
River camping without facilities: Redwood Bar Dispersed Camping offers free, primitive camping along the Chetco River. "Crystal clear river for swimming/floating in. Note this wouldn't be a place to come if you are looking for a spot to be secluded. It's a great group camping or stop for passing through for the night," explains a visitor. Access requires driving approximately 8 miles up North Bank Chetco River Road from Brookings.
Shaded forest campsites: Florence Keller Regional Park provides dense tree cover at affordable rates. "Sites are very clean, fairly level and of varying sizes. We were able to find a spot we fit in with our 26ft RV. I suggest driving around first before picking a spot as some are better than others. Each site has a picnic table and a fire pit and there were water spigots throughout the park," notes one reviewer.
Winter camping opportunities: Many campgrounds remain open during winter months with reduced crowds. According to one camper at Alfred A. Loeb State Park, "We've been here both in summer and winter, and the winter months is by far better in our opinion. Summers are too hot, when you have the coast and the town of Brookings so close. But in the winter! We love this park. It was peaceful, the Chetco River is just gorgeous, lots of rain but if you're ok with that then this park is amazing in the winter."
What you should know
Beach camping traffic patterns: Beachfront locations experience higher day-use traffic than inland sites. At Beachfront RV Park, a camper observed, "Traffic and congestion. Swear that your 'camping' right next to interstate 5! Out of the dozen or more RV campgrounds in the area, only this park is on the beach. So all those other folks along with visitors not RVing, park along the campground in 'day use' parking area to enjoy this amazing place."
Winter camping requires rain preparation: The Brookings area receives significant rainfall from November through March. "Lots of rain but if you're ok with that then this park is amazing in the winter," notes a camper at Alfred A. Loeb State Park.
Cell service varies by location: Coverage decreases significantly in river valley locations. One Redwood Bar Dispersed Camping visitor noted, "Be careful with maps! This listing has the wrong pin on the map. If you use coordinates and google maps it will get you to the right side. If you come across a road with a dead end sign, you're on the wrong side of the river."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Harris Beach State Park offers recreational facilities for children. "Great campsite for kids and family. There is a fantastic playground and the Rangers hold Junior Ranger activities twice a day," reports one visitor.
Safer swimming areas: The Chetco River provides gentler water conditions than ocean beaches. A visitor to Redwood Bar Dispersed Camping cautions, "Remember! It's a river not a lake so kids ought to have life jackets." Alfred A. Loeb State Park offers more controlled river access with facilities nearby.
Campsite selection for families: At Harris Beach State Park Campground, specific sites work better for families. "Avoid sites: 22- Floods, 33-If you have small children due to the water runoff being directly through the camp, 34- Floods, 36, 6 and 4-if tent camping it turns into one big wet spot," advises one experienced camper who stayed at Alfred A. Loeb.
Tips from RVers
RV site grading: Many campsites have elevation challenges. "Our site was not level at all and was tricky to get ourselves situated even with our little 16' travel trailer," reports a camper at Howonquet Village and Resort.
Hook-up availability: Electrical service varies significantly between campgrounds. At Harris Beach State Park, "There are 65 full hookup sites + 29 sites with electrical compared to the 54 tent sites available," according to a camper's review.
Size restrictions at natural areas: Some of the best places to camp near Brookings, Oregon have vehicle limitations. At Crescent City/Redwoods KOA, a reviewer noted, "We were in a grove of redwoods and it was beautiful (forget Starlink at our site)," highlighting both the appeal and technological limitations of camping under dense tree cover.
