Campsites near Oysterville, Washington are situated on the narrow Long Beach Peninsula, with elevations rarely exceeding 25 feet above sea level. The area experiences moderate year-round temperatures between 40-70°F, with summer fog common during morning hours. Most campgrounds maintain gravel pads for tent and RV camping, with wind protection varying significantly between inland and oceanfront sites.
What to do
Beachcombing for treasures: Cape Disappointment State Park offers excellent shell and treasure hunting opportunities. "Walk to the beach to find treasures and sit to relax and just watch the waves. Very peaceful, and my teens loved it!" shares Kimberly T. The park's beaches are less crowded than other coastal areas, creating better conditions for finding intact sand dollars and shells.
Historical exploration: Fort Stevens State Park campground provides access to numerous historical sites. "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 Maritime Museum is up the road," notes Jill T. The park features military installations dating back to the Civil War and interpretive displays about coastal defense systems.
Wildlife viewing: Road to Snag Lake dispersed camping area offers excellent wildlife observation. "Amazing views and complete silence! Tons of rabbits and wildflowers," reports Clayton P. The elevated position provides vantage points for spotting migrating birds during spring and fall seasons over Willapa Bay.
Fishing opportunities: Twin Harbors State Park provides both freshwater and saltwater fishing options. Sites near the highway offer quicker access to both coastal fishing and inland streams. Local catches include salmon, steelhead, and crab depending on season and licensing requirements.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Grayland Beach State Park Campground earns praise for site layout. "Large, paved, level, private campsites. Walk through the dunes to the beach to put your feet in the ocean," writes Laurie W. Most sites include natural vegetation buffers of shore pines creating windbreaks and visual separation.
Family-friendly facilities: Astoria-Warrenton-Seaside KOA provides numerous amenities for families. "A very busy campground with lots of things to keep you occupied and make the weekend go by way to quick," says Scott S. The campground includes an indoor swimming pool, playground equipment, and organized weekend activities during summer months.
Uncrowded beaches: Access to less-visited shorelines ranks high with campers at multiple locations. "What a beautiful place! We were the only people on the whole beach. Super quiet place (May 3rd)," notes Jake H. about Bay Center-Willapa Bay KOA. Many campgrounds feature private beach access trails ranging from 0.1-0.5 miles in length.
Clean restroom facilities: The Lamp Camp receives consistent praise for maintenance standards. "Clean with HOT water, and the location can't be beat. I highly recommend grabbing the sites closest to the ocean if you can so you hear the waves as you drift off," reports Tiffany B. Most campgrounds in the region feature flush toilets, though shower availability and water temperature vary significantly.
What you should know
Weather considerations: The Pacific coast experiences variable conditions year-round. "We just got back from our week long camping trip and like always it was fun... I recommended being prepared for any type of weather rain or shine," advises Jenny M. about Twin Harbors State Park. Morning fog can persist until midday even during summer months.
Site selection matters: Cape Disappointment State Park offers varied camping experiences based on location. "One of the things I hate is hearing a ton of people around me while I'm camping. This campground is huge and very popular with families, but because of how close it is to the beach and a pretty constant wind you really don't hear anybody around you," explains Kier S. Sites in areas A and B generally provide better ocean proximity.
Reservation timing: Most state parks in the region require advance planning. "Typically requires a minimum of two nights. We were fortunate to get a yurt (number 7) for one night in July as a walk in. The ranger was shocked as they are usually sold out months in advance," shares MomSolo about Fort Stevens State Park. Summer weekend reservations should be made 6-9 months ahead for prime locations.
Cell service variability: Connectivity changes dramatically across the peninsula. "I got zero reception in the campground. I use Verizon," reports Christina F. from Cape Disappointment. Higher elevation sites like Road to Snag Lake typically offer better connectivity with one reviewer noting "Very secluded and great view... At least I have great T-Mobile signal."
Tips for camping with families
Protected beach access: Fort Stevens State Park Campground offers more sheltered beach experiences. "Oregon is well known for it's magnificent state parks, and this is no exception. The campground is huge, probably some 400+ spaces; well cared for & clean, with an abundance of hiking trails & historical sites to explore," says Gary M. The park's beach areas include some areas where vehicles aren't permitted, creating safer play zones.
Kid-friendly activities: Campgrounds offer varying levels of organized recreation. "We just got back from our week long camping trip and like always it was fun... So much for kids to do from exploring, riding bikes, fishing and going to the amphitheater for some stories," notes Jenny M. about Twin Harbors State Park. Nature programs typically run Friday-Sunday during summer months.
Wildlife viewing for children: Multiple campgrounds feature easily accessible wildlife. "Deer wander through unattended sites," reports Greg B. from Ocean City State Park. Morning and evening hours provide the best viewing opportunities for local animals including deer, rabbits, and various shorebirds.
Bring insect protection: Mosquitoes can be problematic in wooded areas. "This is a great campground with a lot of sites. Visiting the Iredale shipwreck especially at sunset is beautiful. Also visiting the forts and cannons are fun. Bring mosquito repellent!" advises Gail S. about Fort Stevens State Park. Sites closer to ocean beaches generally experience fewer insect issues due to constant winds.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Site infrastructure varies widely between campgrounds. "We had to run to town because the water and power hookups are ridiculously far away from where they sit on anyone's trailer or RV," warns C M. about Twin Harbors State Park. Bringing extension cords (25-50 feet) and longer water hoses proves necessary at many locations.
Site leveling challenges: Ocean City State Park requires preparation for unlevel sites. "We're dry camping in a site w/o hookups (we have solar). The bathrooms are clean, staff is friendly, grounds are well kept. We have a 33' fifth wheel, and we think the area with full utilities would've been tight for us," says Teresa M. Many RVers recommend bringing additional leveling blocks beyond standard equipment.
Loop selection matters: Different campground sections offer varying experiences for RVers. "Billed as the largest state park campground in the United States, with almost 500 sites. Still, many of the sites are deep and surrounded by trees, keeping the vibe natural and relatively private," notes Patrick M. about Fort Stevens State Park. Loops closer to amenities generally offer less privacy but better access to facilities.
Wind protection considerations: Coastal exposure affects comfort in RVs. "Paved level camping sites with and without hook-ups. Most sites are semi-private with acceptable separation," shares Leonard H. about Grayland Beach State Park. RV sites with natural windbreaks from shore pines provide quieter overnight experiences during stormy conditions.
