We were scheduled to camp at Grant Campground in Yellowstone tonight but the entire park was evacuated due to unprecedented flooding. The kind and generous folks of Jackson let the Yellowstone evacuees dry camp for free at their rodeo fairgrounds. So here we are in the lovely town of Jackson!
We arrived at this campground just before dark without a reservation. and were lucky to get a site with a beautiful view of the snake river. Our site was complete with a picnic table, electric and water hook ups. Although we’re only here for a night, I could imagine it would be wonderful to stay several nights.
This campground sits adjacent to the Pacific in Cardiff. Amazing sunsets and very popular with the surfers. Try to get an ocean view site further from Highway 101 so you don’t hear the traffic as much. This was a challenge for us because many of the ocean view sites were empty during our stay but unusable because they were reserved by no shows.
Hot showers are available. 1 token is 50 cents and gives you 2 minutes. Purchase tokens from the Ranger’s office at the entrance. Hopefully they've fixed the shower that ate my tokens and didn't produce any water by the time you stay!
The campground is walkable to a descent grocery store as well as cafes across the street if you don't want to cook over the campfire. For yummy eats, be sure to check out Ki's or Las Olas just to the south of the campground, both have outdoor seating and takeout options.
We stayed at Clyde Holliday for one night on the way to the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. The campground is conveniently located near the town of John Day and is adjacent to the John Day River. It had all the amenities we needed: electric hookups, water, T-mobile reception, hot showers, and a dump station. The hot showers were welcomed after our visit to wonderful (but dusty) Steens Mountain. We had the site just behind the information kiosk / pay booth, which was perfectly fine for a night, but as it was nearer the main road, I noticed the sound of traffic more than I might have had we gotten a river site. I liked the campground though, and would happily return in the future.
This was my first time at amazing Steens Mountain Wilderness. It was also my first time on a 50 mile washboard gravel road. Since we stayed in October, the campground had plenty of sites to choose from. We chose F2, a big pull through near the vault toilet and not far from the well. The campground was basic but very tidy and quiet during our stay. We especially enjoyed seeing herds of wild horses, the fall foliage on the quaking aspen, and the hiking trails.
As we were driving on along Highway 140 near Adel, it was getting dark and we needed a place to camp overnight. I used PRO map layers to navigate a little way up Hogback Road / CR 3-10 toward Plush and found this handy turnout on BLM land. The night sky with Milky Way was amazing and we didn't hear any traffic during the night. In the morning, we awoke to a beautiful sunrise and sounds of migrating birds taking flight from their nighttime stopover at (mostly dried up) Crump Lake, across the street. We also enjoyed watching a herd of Bighorn sheep grazing by the side of the road. This site was free and fine for one night if you're in the area, but don't expect any privacy or amenities.
We spent a full day exploring Crater Lake and needed a place to stay for the night. Since the campgrounds within the national park were closed for the season, we searched The Dyrt for a nearby place to set up camp before dark, and found nearby Annie Creek Sno-Park. It's a big parking lot with a vault toilet, a warming station with indoor picnic benches and a few fire rings outside. There are also a few spots down by the creek, which might be fine for tent camping, but not suitable for larger vehicles. There were several other campers when we stayed in early October, and we enjoyed watching shooting stars and roasting marshmallows together around a campfire. Convenient location and perfectly fine for a night.
We stayed at Black Canyon Campground for one night en route to Crater Lake. It's a pretty campground with 75 sites nestled between Highway 58 and the middle fork of the Willamette River in the Willamette National Forest near Oakridge. Since we stayed in October, most sites were available and we chose site #44, which was nice and level. Though we could hear a little traffic from the highway, we could also hear the river and enjoyed the river access trail at the back of the site.
We really enjoyed our two night stay at Wilson Ranches Retreat in Fossil and hope to visit again. The hospitality is fantastic and your stay includes a delicious and filling breakfast whether you choose to stay in your own RV or in one of their guest room/suites. The breakfast set us up well each morning for big days out visiting the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, as well as for a wonderful morning out on an unforgettable horseback ride adventure. If you choose to ride, they even offer a library of cowboy/girl hats and boots to borrow during your ride! Highly recommend this spot!
We've enjoyed previous stays at L.L. Stub Stewart State Park in our tent and in one of the cozy cabins in the past. This time, we stayed overnight in our camper van at the top of the hill in Hares Canyon Horse Camp. Experiencing several of the many long trails on horseback was an unforgettable experience. The horse camp comes complete with full hookups, a full bathroom with showers, and corrals for the horses. Friendly rangers patrol the camp regularly to make sure there are horses occupying each site.
Cape Lookout State Park has it all! Beautiful beach, check! Amazing hiking trails, check! Nice variety of site types (cabins, yurts, tent and RV), check! We've camped here many times and always enjoyed ourselves. Though every site was full when we stayed for a couple of nights at the beginning of August, we had enough elbow room to feel comfortable.
Our only disappointment was that the trailhead from the campground to the cape was closed due to a landslide. So we tried to make the best of it by riding our folding bikes 2 miles up the steep road to the day use area. It's a short but strenuous ride with spectacular views down the coastline at Anderson's Viewpoint, which has also long been a popular launch for hang gliders and paragliders. When arrived at the day use area, we discovered there were no bike racks, so we were unable to lock our bikes and do the hike. I left feedback about this with the ranger station staff, and fingers crossed they'll install some bike racks in the future since the trail from the campground could take years to repair.
We've stayed at Nehalem Bay State Park several times and always enjoy it. In the past we have camped in our tent and we've also stayed in one of their cozy yurts. This time was a first for us because we stayed in one of their primitive horse camp sites in our van, and had the opportunity to ride horses on the beach! The campground has a ton of amenities and is located adjacent to the beach, bay and just minutes to Manzanita or Nehalem. Planning to return again soon!
Beverly Beach State Park is located just north of Newport, Oregon. We found a last minute cancellation here in order to cool off during the dreaded heat dome at the end of June 2021. Everyone else had the same idea so it was very busy! It's a big campground so if it's peak season, there's a lot of traffic in the loops. If you prefer quiet, you might consider a site in loop G or H at the back. We stayed in D11, which was by the creek and trails so that was a plus, but we didn't enjoy the constant traffic. The easy beach access and cooler temps made up for it though! I'd recommend it and go back, but would plan for Spring of early Fall when it's a bit quieter.
I've camped at several state parks in Oregon and Cape Blanco is my favorite! It is situated above a beautiful beach with an access road straight from the campground. The sites are spacious and trees provide a good amount of privacy between the sites. There is a wooded trail that leads to the nearby historic lighthouse where you can enjoy amazing views up and down the coast. There are bathrooms with hot showers onsite, which is a plus after enjoying time at the beach. The campground offers RV hookups, but note the dump station was not in service during our visit in June 2021. This campground also has a horse camp with newer corrals, bathroom and miles of equestrian trails. We stayed in one of the cute rustic cabins for half of our stay and in our camper van for the remainder. Looking forward to future stays at Cape Blanco State Park!
Willaby Campground is a beautiful campground in the Olympic National Forest and overlooks picturesque Lake Quinault. It's a small campground with just 21 sites and basic amenities. WIth easy lake access from the day use area, I would recommend packing a kayak or paddleboard if you have one. There's also an easy walking trail along the lake that leads directly to all of the amenities at the historic Lake Quinault Lodge.
My family enjoyed our stay by Olivia Beach and would recommend this sweet spot! The hosts were easy to communicate with and super hospitable. All the amenities are available to make for a very comfortable stay. There is also a grill and fire pit available to use just beyond the front entrance of the cabin. We loved that the beach was just a short walk away. Also really enjoyed a hike in the forest nearby at Drift Creek Falls Trail. The suspension bridge and waterfall were amazing!
What a unique experience to have the opportunity to spend a night in a rustic covered wagon! Especially fun for families with kids. The camp hosts were responsive throughout the stay and keep the property very tidy. I'd recommend this to anyone heading to the Tillamook area.
We headed to the Pacific City in search of fresh air in mid September when much of Oregon was consumed by wildfire smoke. The friendly staff at Cape Kiwanda RV Resort were very welcoming and we opted to stay in one of their cute cabins as rain was forecasted. Cabin N was comfortable and had electric heat, a TV, dorm fridge, microwave, porch swing, outdoor water, BBQ grill, picnic table and outdoor firepit. The campground had cute wild bunnies hoping around, and amenities such as a playground, full market, and pool. It's located a quick walk from a beautiful sandy beach, brew pub, coffee shop and other convenient options are nearby.
Wanting to avoid the wildfire smoke in September, we headed to the coast in search of fresher air. With rain in the forecast, we opted to stay in one of the cute rustic cabins at Kampers West RV Park. The front desk staff were welcoming when we arrived. The cabin was basic but comfortable the night. It had a full bed and bunk bed, table, chair and heater. Kampers West is conveniently located near Fort Stevens State Park and Lewis and Clark National Historical Park / Fort Clatsop and the The Fort To Sea Trail hiking in Warrenton.