Lakeside, Oregon camping options surround the town's main attraction, Tenmile Lake, the largest lake on the Oregon coast at 1,627 acres. Campers find moderate coastal temperatures year-round, with summer highs averaging 65-75°F and winter lows rarely dropping below 40°F. Winter months bring significantly more rainfall to the Oregon coast, with December typically receiving over 11 inches of precipitation.
What to do
Lake exploration by boat: At Osprey Point RV Resort, access to Tenmile Lake offers excellent boating opportunities. "Great water access for boating, canoeing, kayaking" notes camper Tracy, who enjoyed the lake activities despite finding "no privacy between spots."
Tide pool discovery: The coastal area around Bastendorff Beach Park provides rich marine exploration. "Loved watching the fog roll in and exploring the tide pools," shares Jason L., who found the park "right on the coats [coast]" to be "a beautiful place in Oregon."
Sand dune adventures: The Oregon Dunes area offers a unique landscape near Bluebill Campground. "You're just 5 minutes off the 101 but nice and secluded out towards the beach," explains Mike E., who notes that while the campground is "near the Oregon Dunes" it "doesn't allow OHVs in the grounds so it is by far the quietest and most secluded of the campgrounds in the area."
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Campers appreciate the natural screening at William M. Tugman State Park Campground. "Spaces were clean with nice privacy between sites," notes Nick H., who found the park staff "very proactive in making sure park rules were followed, and helpful if we had any questions."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms rank high on campers' lists. "Bathrooms were cleaned very frequently, which I found comforting given there's a pandemic," reports Kendra L., who stayed at Tugman in site B33 and enjoyed "the beach and trails around the lake."
Trail access: The hiking options surrounding Sunset Bay State Park Campground receive high marks. "There is a botanical garden, tide pools, swimming beaches, and very importantly, clean showers and bathrooms!" raves Elly A., who found the area "so picturesque, it almost looks fake."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Coastal fog can impact your experience. "Heads up if it's hot in the valley it'll be foggy on this shore but Coos Bay is just a 10 minute drive and it can still be sunny there!" advises Katie P. about Sunset Bay State Park.
Fire restrictions: During dry periods, campfire bans may be in effect. In Elliott State Forest Dispersed, Janine L. reported, "There was a fire pit but we did not use it due to fire restrictions."
Wildlife visitors: Be prepared for animals in dispersed camping areas. "We had a visitor come sniff around but quickly left," reports Brook S. about their Elliott State Forest experience, where they enjoyed a "beautiful view overlooking the mountains."
Cell service: Connectivity varies widely between campgrounds. At Bluebill Campground, Mike E. found "Verizon cell phone had one bar of 4G and internet was somewhat usable," while Caroline E. notes being "the only car out there" in Elliott State Forest's secluded sites.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. Bastendorff Beach Park offers "a playground, bathrooms, lots of amenities," according to Natalie B., who notes there are "views of the beach/ocean from the playground area."
Easy beach access: Choose sites with convenient water access. "We were way in the back of the campground and the beach was still a short walk away," shares Amy R. about her stay at Sunset Bay State Park, which she found "nice, large" and "private and peaceful" despite being full.
Protection from elements: Coastal camping often means wind and rain. Lauren B. found Elliott State Forest "super damp and rainy," noting they "were unable to start a fire" but enjoyed walking through the creek and the "beautiful forest."
Safety considerations: Be aware of road conditions for family vehicles. Daisee Mae S. cautions about Elliott State Forest: "The road being too steep for my 1993 truck camper. It got too hot and blew the transmission."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many RV sites require adjustments. At Tugman State Park, Cindy U. observed that "asphalt spaces were not very level" and "most RV/Campers had to use blocks to level out."
Turn radius constraints: Older campgrounds often have tight access roads. At Sunset Bay, Jeff M. notes, "This is an older park and wasn't designed for today's RVs. The driveways are narrow and so are the sites leaving little room for maneuvering and for the slide outs."
Size limitations: Check length restrictions before booking. For Bluebill Campground, Mike E. advises, "It's a tight little campground loop if you're pulling a trailer of any length. I would not recommend trailers longer than 30 ft."
Pet-friendly options: For those traveling with animals, consider sites specifically designated for pets. Osprey Point RV Resort welcomes pets, with Mimi noting the park is "set on Tenmile Lake in Lakeside, OR" and that "staff and hosts are really nice!"
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