Fort Stevens State Park and surrounding campgrounds offer glamping near Seaside, Oregon within a maritime climate zone that averages 75-80 inches of annual rainfall. The region features dense coastal forests transitioning to open beaches along the northern Oregon coast. Temperatures remain mild year-round, with summer highs rarely exceeding 75°F and winter lows seldom dropping below freezing.
What to do
Visit historic coastal installations: Fort Stevens State Park features numerous historical military installations dating back to the Civil War. "There is sooo much to do in this area! It's rich with history and we could have easily spent another week touring around. The Martime Museum is up the road," notes one visitor to Fort Stevens State Park Campground.
Explore shipwrecks: The Peter Iredale shipwreck at Fort Stevens provides a unique coastal attraction. "Visiting the Iredale shipwreck especially at sunset is beautiful. Also visiting the forts and cannons are fun. Bring mosquito repellent!" advises a camper.
Go crabbing or fishing: Multiple locations offer fresh seafood opportunities. "The Columbia River estuary is just 10 miles away. Which is the place of the world class Buoy #10 Salmon fishery, every August - October. Both Large Chinook Salmon, and the feisty smaller, Coho (silver) salmon," explains a visitor to Thousand Trails Seaside.
What campers like
Beach access: Nehalem Bay State Park offers direct beach access from camping areas. "Go crabbing at Kelly's and then horseback riding on the beach!" suggests a camper at Nehalem Bay State Park Campground.
Off-season wildlife viewing: Seasonal animal sightings enhance the camping experience. "We saw a huge blue herron and later a pair of bald eagles. Deer were grazing in the field right across the street from the camp entrance," reports a visitor at Sunset Lake Campground.
Comfort amenities: When luxury glamping isn't available, RV parks offer alternative comfortable options. "We were in a 19ft campervan in the C-loop which was well-maintained. We made use of the showers, which were hot, private and super clean!" notes a visitor to Lewis & Clark Golf & RV Park.
What you should know
Mosquito preparation: Insects can be prevalent in certain seasons. "Bring mosquito repellent! Unfortunately in May, the mosquitos were out in full force in the campground," warns a visitor to Fort Stevens.
Site privacy varies: Some campgrounds offer more secluded spots than others. "Although there is not much privacy between sites, the sites are still spacious and mine backed up to woods," explains a camper at Cape Disappointment State Park Campground.
Weather readiness: Coastal conditions can change rapidly. "I recommended being prepared for any type of weather rain or shine. Showers are nice with single rooms. Not in every loop though," notes a Fort Stevens camper.
Tips for camping with families
Bike-friendly loops: Paved areas allow for safe recreation. "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," says a visitor to Nehalem Bay State Park.
Playground considerations: Some facilities need updates. "Having children, the playground and pool are a huge deal when you're camping at an RV resort. Well, the playground was rusted over and had pieces that were missing to it, the swings were broken as well," cautions a Thousand Trails Seaside visitor.
Educational opportunities: Historic sites engage children. "We brought the kids and expected to listen to their complaints the whole time, but they were intrigued by everything!" reports a Wright's for Camping visitor about nearby historic attractions.
Tips from RVers
Campground layout awareness: Thousand Trails Seaside has two distinct sections. "The campground is split up into two sides. The north side and the south side. The north side has the getaway cabins, and cottages. It also has the pool/hot tub, cafe, group fire pit, kids play ground, and overflow parking. The north side is also the only side that has 50A power," explains a regular visitor.
Off-season availability: Some campgrounds offer good last-minute options. "We are enjoying a free year of Thousand Trails membership and this was another last min stay, it was packed! But it's the middle of summer, and we were able to find a spot in overflow same day," mentions a camper at Thousand Trails.
Site selection tips: Cape Disappointment offers diverse camping sections. "Section D is near the entrance along a lake. The other sections are down a long drive close to the beach. Section C was closed. Each section is divided into smaller circles of 10 campsites each," notes a visitor from Camp Rilea Military Campground.
