The Oregon Coast offers some of the most dramatic camping in the country: towering sea cliffs, old-growth forests draped in fog, dunes that stretch for miles, and the constant sound of the Pacific just beyond your tent. Whether you’re rolling in with a rig or hiking in with a pack, there’s a campground here that fits.
The majority of Oregon’s best coastal campgrounds are managed by Oregon State Parks. Most offer comparable amenities — hot showers, flush toilets, dedicated hiker/biker sites, and reservations available up to six months in advance through the Oregon State Parks reservation system. A handful of campgrounds along the coast fall under U.S. Forest Service management and tend to be more rustic, with greater seclusion and their own reservation systems.
Planning tip: Summer weekends fill up fast — especially July and August. Book as early as the reservation window allows, and always have a backup option in mind.
1. Cape Lookout State Park
Cape Lookout sits on a scenic sand spit between Netarts Bay and the Pacific Ocean, along the Three Capes Scenic Route on Oregon’s north coast. (Cape Lookout is the middle of the three capes — Cape Meares is the northernmost, followed by Cape Lookout, then Cape Kiwanda to the south.) It’s one of the most popular campgrounds on the entire Oregon Coast, and for good reason.
The campground has 204 total sites, including 38 full-hookup RV sites and around 170 tent sites with water nearby, plus 13 yurts and 6 deluxe cabins. A dedicated hiker/biker camp rounds out the options. Hot showers and flush toilets are available to all overnight guests, and the beach is just a short walk over the foredune from any campsite.
From camp, a network of trails fans out through old-growth Sitka spruce and western red cedar. The five-mile round-trip Cape Lookout Trail leads through lush forest to the edge of the cape itself — one of the best viewpoints on the coast. To the north, Netarts Spit offers miles of quiet, sandy beach for beachcombing. Gray whale watchers should note that migration season runs from late March through June.
2. Fort Stevens State Park
On Oregon’s extreme northwest corner, at the mouth of the Columbia River, sits Fort Stevens State Park — a 4,300-acre former military installation and one of the largest campgrounds on the entire coast. The park served as a coastal defense installation from the Civil War through World War II, making it one of the most historically rich places to camp in the Pacific Northwest.
The campground is enormous, with roughly 170 full-hookup sites, more than 300 electrical sites with water, 15 yurts, and 11 deluxe cabins. Dedicated tent sites are surprisingly scarce — only about six standard tent sites are available — so tent campers should reserve early. All overnight guests have access to flush toilets, hot showers, and an RV dump station. The park also has 9 miles of paved bike trails and an on-site amphitheater.
The undisputed highlight is the rusted wreck of the Peter Iredale, a steel sailing vessel that ran aground on the beach in 1906. The remains still jut dramatically from the sand at low tide and make for a striking walk from camp. Vehicles are permitted on part of the beach at Fort Stevens — rare on the Oregon Coast. Note that portions of the campground may be under construction through 2026 as part of infrastructure upgrades; check the Oregon State Parks website for current closures before you book.
3. Harris Beach State Park
At the far southern end of the Oregon Coast, just north of Brookings, Harris Beach State Park is a well-rounded base camp for exploring the area’s rugged coastline. The park offers more than 150 sites across tent and RV options — roughly 90 RV-specific sites (some full hookup, some electric-only) and around 60 tent sites. Every site has a paved parking pad, picnic table, and fire ring, with easy access to water, restrooms, and showers.
Harris Beach is just steps from the ocean, with a paved walking path connecting the campground to the beach and sweeping coastal views. The campground is also within Brookings’ city limits, which means restaurants, grocery stores, and gas stations are genuinely close by. Just up the road, the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor — widely considered one of the most beautiful stretches of the entire Oregon Coast Trail — is easily reached as a day hike from camp.
4. South Beach State Park
South Beach State Park sits just south of Newport on the central Oregon coast, straddling the south jetty of Yaquina Bay. It’s one of the largest coastal parks in the state, with around 225 electric RV sites, about 60 tent sites, and 27 yurts. All overnight visitors have access to free hot showers and potable water, and amenities include a playground, firewood for purchase, and garbage and recycling stations. Sites can be reserved up to six months in advance.
The paved South Jetty Trail runs the length of the park and is a favorite for bikers and walkers. The beach is broad and accessible, and the park hosts a variety of ranger-led events throughout the summer. Newport — with its Oregon Coast Aquarium, Hatfield Marine Science Center, and historic bay front — is just across the bay bridge.
5. Nehalem Bay State Park
Nehalem Bay State Park occupies a narrow, four-mile beach spit that separates Nehalem Bay from the Pacific — a setting that gives campers easy access to both calm bay waters and the open ocean. It sits less than two hours from Portland, making it one of the most accessible Oregon Coast campgrounds for city-dwellers.
The park has more than 260 electrical sites for tents and RVs, plus 18 yurts (half of which are pet-friendly). Showers, running water, and restrooms are on-site. A short trail over the dune connects the campground to the beach. Manzanita, a charming small town just a few miles north, is perfect for picking up supplies, grabbing a meal, or catching live music on the weekends.
6. Umpqua Lighthouse State Park
One of the smaller state park campgrounds on the coast, Umpqua Lighthouse State Park sits near the heart of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, about a mile south of Winchester Bay. The campground centers on the beautiful Lake Marie, with 23 tent sites and 12 full-hookup RV sites arranged around the lake’s shores. Non-motorized boating, fishing, and swimming are all accessible via a paved path that circles the water. Yurts, log cabins, and a hiker/biker camp round out the accommodations, and hot showers and flush toilets are provided to all registered campers.
The Umpqua River Lighthouse, perched on the lake’s northwest side, offers scenic views and a vantage point for spotting gray whales during migration season. Bring binoculars. The surrounding Oregon Dunes — managed by the U.S. Forest Service — are just a short drive away for those who want to explore.
7. Beverly Beach State Park
Beverly Beach sits on the east side of Highway 101 between Depoe Bay and Newport, two of the best small coastal towns in Oregon. The campground is tucked beneath a picturesque bridge over Spencer Creek, with short trails leading directly to the beach on the other side.
The campground has 250 sites split roughly between tent and full-hookup/electric-only RV options. A quiet hiker/biker area makes this a popular overnight stop for those cycling the Oregon Coast. Showers, running water, and flush toilets are provided. The forest canopy on the western loop provides generous shade — a welcome feature on warm summer days and some protection from coastal winds.
8. Sunset Bay State Park
Accessed via the Cape Arago Highway south of Coos Bay and the fishing community of Charleston, Sunset Bay State Park is tucked into a cove sheltered by sandstone sea cliffs — one of the few spots on the Oregon Coast where the water is consistently calm enough for swimming and wading. It’s a genuinely special setting.
RVs, tent campers, hikers, and cyclists are all welcome. Every site has running water nearby, with showers and flush toilets throughout. Shore Acres State Park (with its famous botanical garden) and Cape Arago State Park are both accessible via connecting trails, making this campground a natural hub for a longer coastal exploration itinerary.
9. Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park
Set on about 1,000 acres between Yachats and Florence, Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park offers around 60 campsites on the east side of Highway 101. Like other Oregon State Park campgrounds, sites here are available on a rolling six-month reservation window. Full-hookup RV sites, hiker/biker spots, and two reservable yurts are among the options. All overnight visitors have access to running water, flush toilets, and hot showers.
The beach adjacent to Washburne is a quiet, scenic stretch ideal for exploration or just sitting with the waves. Both paved and unpaved hiking trails lead from camp to the beach and to wildlife-watching areas. Heceta Head Lighthouse — one of the most photographed lighthouses in the U.S. — is just a few miles north along the highway.
10. Humbug Mountain State Park
Located about six miles south of Port Orford, Humbug Mountain is one of the highest headlands in Oregon to rise directly from the Pacific Ocean, topping out at 1,756 feet above sea level. The mountain looms over a forest-ringed campground along Brush Creek, creating one of the most sheltered — and warmest — campsites on the entire Oregon Coast.
The campground has 56 tent sites and 39 electric sites, with showers and potable water available. Sites are reasonably private thanks to natural woodland buffers. A trail from camp passes under Highway 101 and leads to a quiet sandy beach. The 5.5-mile round-trip summit hike on the Humbug Mountain Trail is the main attraction: a strenuous but rewarding climb through old-growth temperate rainforest, with south-facing ocean views stretching for miles from the top.
11. Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park
Jessie M. Honeyman is one of the largest state park campgrounds on the Oregon Coast, with more than 350 campsites. The park is set within the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area near Florence and caters to a lively mix of campers — particularly dune enthusiasts and off-highway vehicle (OHV) riders, who can access the dunes directly from the park.
Three freshwater lakes within the park are popular for swimming, fishing, and shaded relaxation during hot summer days. Note that direct beach access from Honeyman requires an OHV (outside the snowy plover nesting season restriction, which runs March through September). Running water and restrooms are provided for all overnight visitors, along with ample OHV parking and staging areas. For those who prefer quieter camping, consider visiting in the shoulder season when the OHV crowd thins out.
12. Wright’s for Camping — Near Cannon Beach
Wright’s for Camping has been welcoming tent campers and car campers since 1959, making it one of the most established family-run campgrounds on the Oregon Coast. Located within easy reach of Cannon Beach, it’s a car-and-tent-only park — no RV hookups — with 22 roomy, shaded sites. Small pull-behind campers are accepted.
The biggest draw is proximity to Cannon Beach and its iconic Haystack Rock, reachable in under a half mile from camp. The campground provides running water, free showers, and a coin-operated laundry. One important detail: Wright’s closes from October through May each year to allow the local Cannon Beach elk herd to use the land — so this is a summer and early fall destination only. Book well in advance if you’re visiting in July or August.
Tips for Camping the Oregon Coast
A few things worth knowing before you go. First, coastal Oregon weather is famously unpredictable — pack layers, a waterproof shell, and a ground cloth for your tent even in summer. Second, nearly every state park campground here fills weeks or even months in advance in summer; use the Oregon State Parks reservation portal and book the moment your window opens. Third, campfire bans can be put in place with short notice during dry stretches, so bring a camping stove as a backup. Finally, if you’re a cyclist or hiker arriving without a vehicle, almost every state park campground on this list has a dedicated hiker/biker site available on a first-come, first-served basis — one of the best deals in outdoor recreation.
Have a favorite Oregon Coast campground that didn’t make this list? Share it in the comments — we’d love to hear about it.
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