Coastal RV campgrounds near Grays River, Washington typically experience significant seasonal shifts in occupancy. Rainfall averages 70-85 inches annually, with summer fog common during morning hours. Most area campgrounds remain open year-round, though amenities like pools and recreation areas often operate on reduced schedules from October through April.
What to do
Beach exploration: 10-minute walk from Cannon Beach RV Resort leads directly to Haystack Rock. "A sidewalk underpass under 101 and a path through a small city park makes it a family-friendly, dog-friendly walk to the outstanding beach sunsets," notes Mari H., who recommends visiting during low tide for tidepooling.
Wildlife viewing: spring through early summer: Bird migration periods offer exceptional viewing opportunities near coastal campgrounds. "Haystack rock is picturesque and volunteers can point out highlights. Don't forget low tide for tidepooling," suggests Misty Z., who camped at Cannon Beach RV Resort during migration season.
Fishing and crabbing: Columbia River estuary access: The region provides world-class salmon fishing from August through October. "The Columbia River estuary is just 10 miles away. Which is the place of the world class Buoy #10 Salmon fishery," reports Tracy from Thousand Trails Seaside, who adds that crabbing spots are available in town.
What campers like
Heated indoor amenities for rainy days: Several campgrounds maintain indoor facilities operational year-round. At Cannon Beach RV Resort, Layton R. mentions, "We stay here often. Easy to get to from our home on the west side of Portland. Friendly staff, clean restrooms and other facilities." The resort offers an indoor pool and hot tub, though availability may be seasonal.
Easy coastal town access without driving: Pedestrian pathways connect many RV parks to nearby towns. "Walk to beach, coffee and restaurants if desired. Wonderful coffee at Sleepy Monk Roasters! Wayfarer is a great restaurant and they deliver to the park," shares Layton R. about Cannon Beach RV Resort.
Dog-friendly areas: Many campgrounds provide dedicated spaces for pets. "There's a gate at the entrance, and the water makes a natural fence around the area where you can let the dogs off-leash," reports MickandKarla W. about Thousand Trails Seaside, noting the north side offers a larger dog area than the south side.
What you should know
Site configuration issues: Some parks have hookups positioned problematically for certain RVs. "Site two is a pull through that is not set up right to have your awning on the correct side," cautions a visitor at RV Park At The Bridge. Similarly, at Long Beach RV and Camping Resort, Derek & Alex W. warn, "The odd numbered spots all have sewer on the wrong side requiring a very long sewer hose extension."
Winter occupancy changes: Off-season camping offers more solitude. "We stayed in October and it was nice and quiet at night," notes David M. about the Astoria-Warrenton-Seaside KOA, though this changes dramatically during peak season when the large KOA fills with families.
Variable Wi-Fi performance: Internet connectivity fluctuates throughout the day at most parks. "The WiFi has been decent (2-5Mb) with no real latency or packet loss," reports Tyler F., who stayed at Cannon Beach RV Resort, but notes service slows "to a crawl at night."
Tips for camping with families
Activity-rich campgrounds for children: Several parks feature recreational facilities. "A very busy campground with lots of things to keep you occupied and make the weekend go by way to quick," says Scott S. about the Astoria-Warrenton-Seaside KOA, which includes an indoor pool, playground, and trail access.
Location for educational opportunities: Coastal campgrounds provide access to historical sites. "Very close to beautiful and interesting Fort Columbia State Park," mentions Zach H. about Columbia Shores RV Resort, noting its proximity to educational attractions despite limited on-site amenities.
Kid-friendly campground layouts: Some parks feature safe biking areas within the grounds. "Paved loop for kids and bikes," notes C M. about Cannon Beach RV Resort, though they caution that during COVID, "a lot of stuff was limited to reservation or closed."
Tips from RVers
Electrical hookup details: Power capacity varies between campgrounds and specific sites. "The power was rock solid," reports Misty Z. about Cannon Beach RV Resort, while Long Beach RV and Camping Resort offers varying electrical setups, with the north side being the only area featuring 50-amp service.
Site selection strategies: Corner and end sites typically offer more space. "We got lucky and parked at the end by the dog park in an odd spot," shares Derek & Alex W. about Thousand Trails Long Beach, recommending space 90 as "the best and has a good amount of private room due to the tree there."
Tight maneuvering required: Many parks have challenging access angles. "The spaces are very tight at 90 degree angles to the road. This requires backing skill level 10!" warns Derek & Alex W. about Thousand Trails Long Beach, suggesting arriving at check-in time for better site options.
