Scenic lakes and the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area define the Scottsburg region's terrain. Camping elevations range from near sea level along the Umpqua River to over 300 feet in the coastal forests. Fall camping temperatures typically range between 45-65°F with higher precipitation levels, while summer brings fog that often burns off by midday.
What to do
Lake recreation access: Tahkenitch Campground offers excellent fishing opportunities with boat launch facilities and moorage dock. "Lots of great trees for shade. The best part of this place is the lake. There is a boat launch and a moorage dock," notes one visitor who describes the lake as a "KILLER bass lake."
Sand dune activities: Explore the unique Oregon Dunes landscape with direct trail access. "The highlight for us was the beautiful trail to the dunes. We actually walked there twice it was so beautiful," reports one camper at Tahkenitch Campground, who returned for "an incredible sunset."
Beach exploration: Sunset Bay State Park Campground provides quick access to coastal areas. "The beach is only a 5 minute walk from the campground. There are nearby hiking trails and you can hear the seals being noisy out in the ocean," mentions one reviewer who appreciates the location.
Lighthouse tours: Visit nearby historic lighthouses for panoramic ocean views. "The Umpqua Lighthouse is lovely. Museum and tours are great. Souvenir shop is unique and staff all over the park are informative and friendly," shares a visitor who enjoyed the 1-mile hiking trail around Lake Marie at Umpqua Lighthouse State Park Campground.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Many campgrounds offer secluded spots with natural barriers. "The sites are privacy and surrounded by trees," notes a Sunset Bay visitor, while another camper at South Jetty describes: "Our site was very private with trees and bushes between our site and neighbors on each side."
Warm shower facilities: "Showers were clean and nice," reports one camper at Sunset Bay State Park, while another visitor appreciates the "WONDERFUL clean showers" at Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park Campground.
Kid-friendly amenities: Families appreciate facilities designed for children. "The campground had a playground for kids, a small free library and ranger station with a couple of souvenirs of the area," mentions a visitor who stayed in a yurt at Honeyman Memorial State Park in winter.
Trail systems: Easy hiking options appeal to nature enthusiasts. "1 mile hiking trail around Lake Marie is pretty and easy. Finally saw a banana slug!" shares an Umpqua Lighthouse visitor who also enjoyed the "beautiful and manicured" surroundings.
What you should know
Campsite spacing varies: Some locations have tight accommodations. "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," notes a visitor to Sunset Bay State Park.
Weather patterns: Coastal fog affects sunshine hours. "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 a Sunset Bay camper who also appreciated the "wonderfully hot showers."
Highway noise: Traffic sounds impact some campgrounds. "I was surprised at how much traffic noise there was. It is right on hwy 101, so that's understandable, but I guess it was easier to block out the motors and jake brakes last time," mentions a Tahkenitch Campground visitor traveling with young children.
Seasonal bathroom closures: Facility maintenance can disrupt services. "At one point the trail was washed out. Also the trail itself was not well marked," shares a Tahkenitch visitor about beach access challenges.
Tips for camping with families
Yurt options for new campers: For those introducing children to camping near Scottsburg, Oregon, yurts provide comfort with shelter. "I had such a nice time at this campground. We went in the off season (in the winter) so the campground didn't have many people staying. I have a toddler and it ended up being so helpful with the weather being a bit rainy and getting some creature comforts while still enjoying nature," shares a Honeyman Memorial State Park visitor.
Bike-friendly campgrounds: William M. Tugman State Park offers safe cycling options for children. "Lots of loops for Sam to ride her bike, trails around Eel Lake to hike (beautiful!), kayak and paddleboard rentals, a dock to fish off (lots of fish to catch there), and a nice kids' playground," notes a family visitor.
Lake swimming access: Water activities keep children entertained. "The kids loved the swim beach area," reports a camper about Loon Lake facilities, where sandy shores provide safer water entry points for younger swimmers.
Educational programs: State parks often provide ranger-led activities. "We did our annual dad camp with kids and no moms allowed here and really enjoyed it. The drive was a bit longer than we wanted from Portland but pretty the whole way," shares a visitor to Umpqua Lighthouse State Park who appreciated the kid-friendly atmosphere.
Tips from RVers
Navigational challenges: RV travelers should plan routes carefully. "The website was not kidding about not following the directions through Google Maps. The last 9 miles to the resort was really trying - the roads were narrow, twisty and winding," cautions a visitor to Loon Lake Lodge and RV Resort.
Site leveling requirements: Many campgrounds require blocking equipment. "Notice the asphalt spaces were not very level. Most RV/Campers had to use blocks to level out," advises a visitor to William M. Tugman State Park.
Hookup availability: Full-service sites vary by location. "Our site had electricity and water hook up. The site was level and easy to back in to," reports a camper from South Jetty who enjoyed the convenience despite finding the campground map confusing.
