Campgrounds along Oregon's central coast near Siuslaw National Forest range from established state parks to lakeside RV resorts. The region includes several year-round options like Eel Creek Campground in Lakeside and Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park near Florence. Many facilities accommodate both tent and RV camping, with several locations also offering cabins, yurts, and glamping options. Sunset Bay State Park and William M. Tugman State Park provide electric hookups and showers, while Eel Creek Campground offers more primitive camping with drinking water and vault toilets but no hookups.
Access to many campgrounds requires advance planning, particularly during summer months when coastal sites fill quickly. Most campgrounds in the area operate year-round, though amenities may be limited in winter. Several locations offer boat-in access in addition to drive-in sites, particularly those situated on coastal lakes like Tenmile Lake. Facilities vary considerably across the region, with state parks generally providing more amenities than forest service campgrounds. A visitor noted that "Eel Creek has been one of our favorite campgrounds over the years... the sites are amazing, the John Dellenback Dunes Trail is an absolute must, especially at Dawn or Dusk, it's an other-worldly experience."
The proximity to Oregon's dramatic dunes and coastal lakes represents a major draw for campers in this region. Waterfront access points at parks like Osprey Point RV Resort and Tenmile Lake County Campground receive consistently positive feedback. Campers report satisfaction with trails connecting campgrounds to the dunes, though hiking in sand can be challenging. Sites within Siuslaw National Forest typically offer more privacy between campsites compared to private RV parks. According to one visitor, "Eel Creek Campground was a pleasant surprise. Nestled among the giant sand dunes... sits this well-placed campground that has large, spacious and private campsites." Noise from OHV activity on the dunes can impact some campgrounds, particularly those near designated dune access points.
$29 - $141 / night
"I am a big fan of the Oregon state parks. This one stands out. The park looks like it was done by a landscape architect. Kudos to whoever designed this place."
"Make it up to the top, and you'll be rewarded with an out of the way, minimally populated camp tucked into the trees just past the lighthouse, and with trails, wildlife and brand new bathrooms and showers"
$26 - $88 / night
"We stay at Tugman often because it’s a great Oregon State Campground and is conveniently located off Hwy 101 and close to a lot of outdoor activities the southern coast of Oregon has to offer."
"Another Oregon state park wins again. Campsites feel tucked away in the forest. It was beautiful even when it was raining. Hardly anyone here in early March."
$22 - $44 / night
"Most sites contain a drive thru entrance with tent pad sites placed within large buses for privacy. The camproudn has a new flush toilets with sink & handdryer."
"I've been aware of the Eel Creek Campground since I started hiking the John Dellenback trail a few years ago. The trailhead is in Lakeside, OR, off Hwy 101 on the Oregon coast."
$29 - $119 / night
"This park is located in the beautiful Cape Arago area of the South-Central Oregon coast."
"Oregon State Parks are genuinely the bomb. We were so impressed with them! When we arrived at Sunset Bay, a light drizzle had started, but it created the perfect ambiance."
$54 - $287 / night
"The location was great and the amenities were superb."
"Convenience stores close by plus the resort has a general store with anything you could need. Site staff very friendly while keeping a distance, giving you just the right amount of privacy."
"Walking and bike path surrounds the park. Close to the small community of Winchester Bay that has a grocery store and restaurants. Just a great park."
"Park has a nice walking path that goes around the outside along the bay."
$32 / night
"North bend is near by and it’s just a beautiful place in Oregon right on the coats. Loved watching the fog roll in and exploring the tide pools."
"A berm of at least 10 ft surrounds. Big part of the site. Firewood delivered to site :) Brand new hot free showers close to the site."
"Staff was helpful and let us change sites when we arrived to a better location. Nicely stocked store and restaurant on site. Fishing and boating at your door."
"Set on Tenmile Lake in Lakeside, OR, this is a nice little park. Spaces are pretty close together and turns are tight. There are some big rigs here, so it can work for you big guys."
$32 - $128 / night
"We stayed here at the group site and it was great—huge field, winding paths through heavy forest to arrive at a beautiful, sunny lake."
"Special and unique landscape right in the center of Oregon Dunes. We love it here. Located close to the quant town of Florence. Lots of nearby hikes, beach access, and of course the dunes. Enjoy!"
$22 / night
"The lake is SO cute and we walked the path around it several times which morphs from dirt to roots to packed rocks to sand."
"You can hear the dune buggies off in the distance which makes it feel close to home without being disturbing."
GuidePlenty of good pull offs all along the service road, and the road itself is really well maintained. Some spots have better phone service than others, obviously, and I found one with perfect service. Stayed two nights and saw maybe five total vehicles pass me by.
TravelerPerfect for those in a van. It’s cheap and right on the beach. No hook ups
Just be aware of those with their generators on all night.
TravelerMainly just a parking lot only one or two real campsites that felt like camping. She would probably work if you were there to ride ATVs
TravelerThe sides were almost all in disrepair very overgrown and not maintained This area did not feel safe
TravelerThe sites can be a little tricky for a larger rig especially with so many pull through sites that have large trees impeding. The campground is well maintained and the camp host was incredible. He even brought us wood to burn for our fire. Our site was very private and clean. The trail to the dunes was super cool although could be challenging to climb up to the top from our loop.
ScoutI noticed right off the bat that the campsite was very big and very nice. There is a spot for tents, rvs and there is a few cabins that I could see. I did not see any yurts. There is a very clean good sized bathroom with flushing toilets. And a shower room one for men one for women by the bathrooms. There is a nice playground for the kids, lots of kids riding their bikes and scooters around here so be careful with driving. Most of the parents let their kids just ride their bike around without watching them and a couple of kids came up on my blindside, thankfully my husband spotted them. There is a nice lookout spot with bench’s to view the beach. There is a big gazebo to possibly have parties etc with lots of tables and bench’s. This place is big but walkable. And it is dog friendly!
GuideOnline booking was easy and the space we chose was compact, barely fitting our 25' trailer w/ truck. It came with a table and firepit and was near the bathrooms/shower. I'm not sure if it was the time of year, but even though there were camp hosts and caretakers driving around, there was no 'check-in' process and they didn't stop to greet us. We didn't receive any info in the reservation email, including the bathroom code (which my husband had to track down & learned it has to be changed weekly). So we just found our spot, got set up and went in search of the sand.
You can walk out of the campground and down the road to the beach, but driving is easiest. If you have dogs, this will be your happy place! This is the dog-friendliest beach I've ever been on & the weather was perfect for kite-flying! The Nut made lots of friends and got all her zoomies out!
The campground is nestled in forest, with most sites separated by shrubbery or fencing for privacy, but it's still pretty cozy. We had electric & water hookups at our site, and there is a dump station available. Because of the tree cover, this was the first time on our trip that we had issues with Starlink obstructions, but Verizon had 3 bars 4G, so we still had decent service. We really enjoyed sitting on the benches at the edge of the park and watching the sunset & the Nut can't wait to come back and play on the beach!
GuideWarning ⚠️‼️ 4x4 is an absolute must here — and even then it can still get risky. We first took the wrong trail and ended up heading straight up a dune toward the beach after passing the staging area. We were in a Tacoma SR5 (not a TRD) with a rear diff lock and all-terrain tires, and we still almost got stuck digging into the dune climbing up. I was honestly worried that if we crested the top and dropped onto the beach, we may not have made it back out.
Thankfully I was able to reverse back down the dune and return to the staging area. We talked with some guys there and finally figured out the correct trail to the camping area.
Technically you do need a permit online. We paid for ours, although several people there claimed nobody ever checks and they never pay. Your call, your risk.
We arrived late and were a little stressed trying to secure a spot before dark because I absolutely did not want to get stranded out there overnight needing recovery. I ended up walking about a quarter mile through the sand to Site #1 first to see if the route looked manageable. After checking it out, I felt confident enough from previous beach and snow driving experience to carefully work our way in.
Even then, while we were there:
So seriously — be careful and don’t get stranded out at these sites.
In an emergency, you could probably sleep in the main parking/staging area that says “No Overnight Parking,” although there is a nearby host, so I wouldn’t count on it. To clarify, you are not actually on the beach, with ocean views here.
Despite all that, I’d still stay again
RangerOf all the lane county Parker’s we’ve camped in, this one’s the best. LOCATION It’s just a few mins from Florence where you can get groceries and such. Stay away from the produce at the Safeway. And just about 20 mins from really amazing views, trails, and a lighthouse north of the campground. PARK INFRASTRUCTURE The bathrooms are great. Clean, newly renovated, hot water, and smells like cedar! I did look in the accessible bathroom and it hasn’t been updated so there’s no hand wand- it’s just a mist head. The layout is fantastic. Every site is private surrounded by vegetation. Half the sites have updated infrastructure and sewer hookups and half don’t. This was the biggest problem while staying here. On the weekend when the park is full, the electric infrastructure in the older part of the park (sites 14-31) can’t handle the load and it kept tripping our rig. We were able to move sites which helped but just warning. The caretaker did say that they plan on replacing and updating everything sometime next year. COMMON AREAS AND CABINS They have some really cute cabins for rent. I didn’t look inside but they sit right on the edge of the campground looking towards the river/ocean. The common areas are great. Swing set, picnic tables, viewing platforms to watch the sunset, fire rings, and there may have been a grill, I can’t remember. STAFF Loved the staff! We had a couple of things come up during our two week stay and the caretaker was so helpful and takes really good care of the place. Literally every tiny spot of bare grass had grass seed in it. That’s great attention to detail! RECOMMENDATIONS If you can get the spot on the far end of the park that looks at the ocean (sites 13), grab it! We wished we could have stayed there. Food- we tried a few places but highly recommend Chens Family Dish. If you have a paddle board, the high tide along the mouth of the river is the perfect spot to puddle about!
The central Oregon coast offers diverse camping experiences within and near Siuslaw National Forest. Sites range from lake-adjacent campgrounds to coastal parks with dune access. Winter temperatures typically stay between 40-55°F with frequent rain, while summer brings 65-75°F days with morning fog that often burns off by afternoon.
Hike the dunes: Access the John Dellenback Dunes Trail from Eel Creek Campground for a unique hiking experience. "The hike out of the campground is strenuous but the dunes are absolutely breathtaking," notes one visitor. The trail offers varying difficulty levels and is best experienced at dawn or dusk.
Fishing opportunities: Osprey Point RV Resort provides direct access to Tenmile Lake for fishing enthusiasts. "Great water access for boating, canoeing, kayaking," reports a camper. The resort offers boat rentals and includes a fish cleaning station for processing your catch.
Beach exploration: Multiple access points allow for different coastal experiences. "Bastendorff beach. North bend is near by and it's just a beautiful place in Oregon right on the coats. Loved watching the fog roll in and exploring the tide pools," writes one reviewer about their experience at the beach near Coos Bay.
Privacy between sites: Bluebill Campground offers secluded camping spaces. "All the sites have large bushes for privacy. The sites are a little tight for a trailer but very private," notes a camper. The campground provides a quieter alternative to ATV-focused areas while still being near the dunes.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained amenities across campgrounds. A visitor at William M. Tugman State Park commented, "The bathrooms were cleaned very frequently, which I found comforting given there's a pandemic." Many parks provide hot showers and regularly serviced restrooms.
Lake access: Several campgrounds feature lakes for recreation. "We loved this small campground. At bluebill you dont have the ATV traffic but you are close to it. It has a beautiful lake, trails, fishing, beach access, crabbing close by," explains a regular visitor who camps there multiple times annually.
Reservation timing: Oregon coastal campgrounds fill quickly during summer months. For Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park, one visitor advises: "I would highly recommend that if you know you're going to book as soon as possible, 6 months out if possible. We got the last yurt available for the time period we were out there."
Weather expectations: Coastal fog and wind affect camping experiences. A camper at Bay Point Landing noted: "We were here for 3 nights. It was howling 30 mph with fog when we checked in and lasted through the night. One sunny breezy day during our stay. This point must be susceptible to wind and fog."
ATV noise: Campgrounds near designated dune areas experience vehicle noise. "The sound of ATVs lasted well into the night and started SUPER early," reports a camper at Bluebill. Consider campground location relative to OHV areas if seeking quiet.
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. "It has a nice small loop with a hill that the kids loved to ride their bikes around and zoom by our site," writes a visitor about Umpqua Lighthouse State Park, noting the minimal through-traffic made biking safer for children.
Yurt options: For families wanting more comfort, yurts provide a middle ground between tenting and cabins. "For a small campground the deluxe yurts were huge. Much larger than the rustic yurts available in other Oregon State parks, the deluxe yurt had acres of space," explains a winter visitor to Umpqua Lighthouse State Park.
Swimming areas: Lake access provides safer swimming than ocean beaches. "Eel lake was a lot of fun!! Good fishing from the dock as well as from our kayaks and SUP boards," reports a Tugman State Park visitor, mentioning the family-friendly water activities.
Site levelness: Several reviewers mention challenges with uneven sites. "Notice the asphalt spaces were not very level. Most RV/Campers had to use blocks to level out," advises a camper about William M. Tugman State Park. Bringing leveling blocks is recommended.
Campground navigation: Older campgrounds weren't designed for modern RV sizes. "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," cautions a visitor to Sunset Bay State Park.
Hookup variations: Services vary significantly between campgrounds. Winchester Bay RV Resort offers full hookups and a dump station, while others provide electric and water only. "Large well kept and maintained park. Convenient to restaurants, shops and markets in and near harbor. All within walking distance," notes a satisfied RV camper.
Frequently Asked Questions
What scenic attractions and photo opportunities can I find in Siuslaw National Forest?
Siuslaw National Forest offers diverse photo opportunities throughout its stunning coastal and forest landscapes. Cape Perpetua provides access to some of the most scenic parts of the Oregon Coast within 10-20 minutes of the campground. The area features dramatic coastal vistas, tide pools, and dense forest hiking trails. Bullards Beach State Park offers lighthouse views (about 3 miles away), beautiful beach scenes, and the picturesque Coquille River. Throughout the forest, you'll find sandy dunes nestled among trees, babbling creeks, rolling hills, and lush forests. Dawn and dusk present particularly magical lighting conditions for photographers seeking to capture the misty coastal forests.
Where are the designated campgrounds in Siuslaw National Forest?
Siuslaw National Forest offers several designated campgrounds spread throughout the region. Sutton Campground is tucked next to a creek and provides a peaceful setting, especially nice in mid-May though mosquitoes can be present. Alder Dune Campground is located just off Highway 101 next to Alder Lake with walking paths around the grounds and lake. Other notable options include Waxmyrtle Campground, Cape Perpetua, and Near Fawn Creek for dispersed camping opportunities. The forest also features camping at Loon Lake about 40 minutes outside Reedsport and several state park options along the coast that provide access to forest areas.
What amenities are available at Siuslaw National Forest campgrounds?
Amenities vary across Siuslaw National Forest campgrounds. Waxmyrtle Campground offers reservable sites with reservation tags on posts, allowing visitors to find available spots. Loon Lake provides lake access, day-use areas, and sites with plant foliage enclosures for privacy. Most forest campgrounds feature picnic tables, fire pits, and restrooms. Some locations like Cape Perpetua have drinking fountains and creeks running through the campground. For those seeking more amenities, nearby state parks such as Sunset Bay and Umpqua Lighthouse offer water and electrical hookups. Campground facilities are generally well-maintained, with options ranging from primitive sites to those with more developed infrastructure.
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