The cool mist of the Pacific Ocean is the perfect addition to your next camping trip.
Whether you’re road tripping, hiking, or just pitching a tent and hanging out, you’ll find a perfect postcard view at every stop on your West Coast camping adventure. A walk around Morrow Bay won’t be the same experience as one at San Juan Island. Everything from the topography and wildlife to the shoreline towns and seafood will give you something new to love about camping on the West coast.
Get into the water on your camping trip.
West coast camping can include a variety of activities; surfing, clamming, kite flying, rock combing, or just relaxing along the many bays and streams that spring from the frothy surf. Maybe you’ll enjoy the local restaurants in Carmel, California or cook your own meals around a bonfire at Canon Beach, Oregon. You might enjoy the luxury of an RV, or seek out a primitive site to pitch your tent atop a cliff. There’s nothing like hearing the pounding surf as you doze off to sleep.
Camping the Coast in California, Oregon, and Washington
So, where should you stay while camping on the West coast this summer? Here are our some of our favorite seaside campgrounds for West Coast camping…
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, CA
Check out world-class surfing while you’re camping in California.
Treat yourself to a campsite by one of the most popular destinations in the central coast between Carmel and San Simeon. Big Sur State Park is known for its hairpin turns around dramatic cliffs. But if you’re camping, you can get even closer than the drivers who whip around curves on the scenic Highway 101. Hike in the Santa Lucia Mountains, where cliffs drop into the ocean, and capture shots of the misty, coastal scenery. The campground itself is surrounded by huge redwoods and offers plenty of hiking trails for all-day jaunts.
Reviews & PhotosPacific City RV and Camping Resort, OR
Oregon boasts craggy cliffs and a rocky shoreline.
If you’re going to Cape Kiwanda to climb its sky-grazing, six-story wall of sand, consider staying at Pacific City RV and Camping Resort. You’ll find both tent sites and small cabins with great campground amenities, just a five-minute walk to the beach. You can even rent special boards to surf down the giant sand dunes. What could be more beachy?
Reviews & PhotosSecond Beach, Olympic National Park, WA
Image from Dyrt user Megan C.
Looking to immerse yourself in pristine nature? Consider making Second Beach in Olympic National Park your first stop this summer. It’s worth the trip knowing you can camp right on the beach, and wake up to the crashing surf. Explore all the sea life in the tide pools or view the Quillayute Needles that jut out of the water. It’s a very popular summer spot with some forested sites, too.
Reviews & PhotosWin Gear for Camping the West!
Ready to plan your West Coast camping adventure? You can win gear from The Dyrt for writing campsite reviews along the way. Check out our destinations and prizes, and get out there!
Related Campgrounds:
- Bodega Dunes Campground, Bodega Bay, CA
- Santa Cruz Island Camping, CA
