Oregon Camping Ideas Wanted

[Jim Bennett]

I am looking for a little input on camping either side of of the NOG, in Nehalem Bay State Park. We are there 5 nights from the Oct 5th-11th.

Firstly, I will be visting friends in Coeure d'Alene on Sunday the 2nd, and staying at a Spokane Walmart that night. From there we have 3 days, 2 nights to make it to Nehalem, which is less than an 8 hour direct drive. A friend we are stopping to see for lunch (most likely on Wednesday on the way to Nehalem), who lives in Sandy (a wee bit SE of Portland) suggested we might want to swing around the south side of Mount Hood. I do like this idea.

Our other thought is to maybe camp somewhere west of Portland for a couple nights, and still do a quick stop into Sandy on the Monday for a visit..

Which of these two scenarios do you all think best, and what camprounds that would be open would you recommend? I imagine we could find great stuff in either place. We have never camped in this part of Oregon before. As well, we can do a bunch of day trips from Nehalem during the 5 days we are there. Tillamook is a definite stop for cheese and ice cream. We did get as far north as Tillamook 7 years ago.

From there we plan to head a ways south, and on Saturday the 15th, we will be getting together with a group of friends near Newport. Was considering staying at Beverly Beach State park for that Friday-Saturday. A couple more days somewhere then heading home. We will have a few days before that, and a few after before heading home. We are likely headed to the Coos Bay area before heading back home.

So looking for input on where to stay and places to see. Not sure if some places close down at this time of year, or whether we need reservations too. We loved the numerous lighthouses we saw last trip to Oregon.

[KarenH]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

We loved the numerous lighthouses we saw last trip to Oregon.

Oregon lighthouses are beautiful. On a side note, I have almost finished my 2016 Lighthouse Quest for Washington State. Depending on what list is used, I have seen all but one lighthouse (27 or 28 total). Now need to figure out a new goal for 2017.

[Mucram]

Glad you asked. Am camping @ beachside following the nog then heading eastward towards Idaho unless more beach time is needed.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Our other thought is to maybe camp somewhere west of Portland for a couple nights, and still do a quick stop into Sandy on the Monday for a visit..

Honestly Jim, you don't want to do this. Sandy is far east of downtown Portland. The commute between west of Portland to far east of Portland would wear you out. You'd be better off staying east of Sandy, somewhere up on Mt. Hood. OR stay in Troutdale/Fairview. Here's a couple of options:
Sandy Riverfront RV Resort | RV Park | Troutdale, OR
Campground Search

[BCnomad]

If it was me Jim, I'd look at getting back to Electric City/Coulee Dam/Dry Falls info centre area. Soap Lake has a nice community campground (right on the lake, with services) for the first night.

Then to a National Forestry site near Mt Hood for the second night. Alternatively, Culver OR has a great state park (Cove Palisades/Crooked River Campground) if you don't mind a bit of back tracking. Dufur has a city park too, but I haven't been.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Honestly Jim, you don't want to do this. Sandy is far east of downtown Portland. The commute between west of Portland to far east of Portland would wear you out. You'd be better off staying east of Sandy, somewhere up on Mt. Hood. OR stay in Troutdale/Fairview. Here's a couple of options:
Sandy Riverfront RV Resort | RV Park | Troutdale, OR
Campground Search

The thought was to go directly to Sandy from Spokane, then head west of Portland for the night. A relatively straight line.

But Lisa is keen to do the Mt Hood area. Me too.

My preference is to stay away from RV campsites if possible, though it seems some of the others are now closed, and tough to tell which ones in many cases.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by BCnomad

If it was me Jim, I'd look at getting back to Electric City/Coulee Dam/Dry Falls info centre area. Soap Lake has a nice community campground (right on the lake, with services) for the first night.

Then to a National Forestry site near Mt Hood for the second night. Alternatively, Culver OR has a great state park (Cove Palisades/Crooked River Campground) if you don't mind a bit of back tracking. Dufur has a city park too, but I haven't been.

That seems to incorporate more driving, but not too bad. What is the draw of the Electric City area?

I think we would like to stay both nights in the same spot too.


I am sure we could enjoy just about anywhere, as I have not camped anywhere near there.

[KarenH]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

What is the draw of the Electric City area?

The Coulee Corridor (WA 17) is fascinating if you're interested in geology. Aside from that, there's Frenchman's Coulee with The Feathers, Moses Coulee, Yeager Rock, the White Bluffs of the Columbia, and farther down the state Wallula Gap if you're interested in Glacial Lake Missoula. The list goes on and on...

[NW Cat Owner]

Sunset Bay State Park - Oregon State Parks and Recreation

I stayed here for a week last year when I had a motorhome rental. A friend lives there and she took me on some great sightseeing trips in the area. We even saw some gray whales, at the tail end of their migration. You might be a bit early for their winter migration, but you might luck out.

I don't have a lot of experience with campgrounds, but I really liked this one. It was very nicely maintained, very quiet at night and there were 2 hosts on site. I was there before the season started so some of the loops were closed to camping.

You won't get any cell service there as you're right up against a big hill, but there is a working pay phone! First one I've used in years.

When you're in the area, be sure to visit Face Rock Creamery (just don't tell 'em you were at Tillamook - bit of a story there, according to my friend). OMG, the cranberry walnut cheddar is wonderful!

Face Rock Creamery Home of Premium Handmade Cheese in Bandon Oregon

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

The thought was to go directly to Sandy from Spokane, then head west of Portland for the night. A relatively straight line.

That makes sense, I guess I read it that you wanted to back track to Sandy from west Portland... that would have been miserable.

[tractors1]

Stub Stewart State Park is about halfway from Portland to Nehalem and open year round. 20 miles of paved trails on what used to be a railroad between Banks and Venonia if you like to bike.



L.L. Stub Stewart State Park - Oregon State Parks and Recreation

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by KarenH

The Coulee Corridor (WA 17) is fascinating if you're interested in geology. Aside from that, there's Frenchman's Coulee with The Feathers, Moses Coulee, Yeager Rock, the White Bluffs of the Columbia, and farther down the state Wallula Gap if you're interested in Glacial Lake Missoula. The list goes on and on...

Sounds very interesting. I will be doing trips back to the PNW a few more times in the future, ones where the pace will be a lot slower, and I can take time to check out all these types of areas.

When was the last time I complained about not being retired? This is the next one.

Originally Posted by NW Cat Owner

Sunset Bay State Park - Oregon State Parks and Recreation

I stayed here for a week last year when I had a motorhome rental. A friend lives there and she took me on some great sightseeing trips in the area. We even saw some gray whales, at the tail end of their migration. You might be a bit early for their winter migration, but you might luck out.

I don't have a lot of experience with campgrounds, but I really liked this one. It was very nicely maintained, very quiet at night and there were 2 hosts on site. I was there before the season started so some of the loops were closed to camping.

You won't get any cell service there as you're right up against a big hill, but there is a working pay phone! First one I've used in years.

When you're in the area, be sure to visit Face Rock Creamery (just don't tell 'em you were at Tillamook - bit of a story there, according to my friend). OMG, the cranberry walnut cheddar is wonderful!

Face Rock Creamery Home of Premium Handmade Cheese in Bandon Oregon

Sunset Bay does seem like a nice place to stay if we do head to Coos Bay, which is our plan right now.

Last time we were in Coos Bay, we stayed to the north at Umpqua Lighthouse State Park, another nice place. But to be fair, having stayed at a half dozen different Oregon State Parks before, there was not a one we did not like.

We will definitely check out that other cheese place if we are near. While Tillamook does make a good quality cheese, for the most part it is pretty run of the mill, at least the last time we were there. We are cheese snobs, and love some of the unique offerings from around the world. I likes me some stinky cheese.

Originally Posted by Donna D.

That makes sense, I guess I read it that you wanted to back track to Sandy from west Portland... that would have been miserable.

My 'splaining of plans was not very well described.

Originally Posted by tractors1

Stub Stewart State Park is about halfway from Portland to Nehalem and open year round. 20 miles of paved trails on what used to be a railroad between Banks and Venonia if you like to bike.



L.L. Stub Stewart State Park - Oregon State Parks and Recreation

Sounds like lots to do around there. Oh man, I need more time.

[BCnomad]

In addition to what Karen said, the WA17 route is to break up the driving, and have stuff to look at along the way. It has a few passing similarities to the Drumheller badlands region, more or less.


If you two (three?) wanted to stay at one place after Spokane, look up Champoeg State Park. It breaks your RV campsite request, but .... it's central. The fall season drive along I84 would be fantastic, for an interstate.




Good travels.

[Donna D.]

Jim, we've been known to hold NOGs at L.L. Stub Stewart. You'll have to come out for another NOG when we go back there! Seeing a bunch of folks head out on bicycles is neato!

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by BCnomad

In addition to what Karen said, the WA17 route is to break up the driving, and have stuff to look at along the way. It has a few passing similarities to the Drumheller badlands region, more or less.


If you two (three?) wanted to stay at one place after Spokane, look up Champoeg State Park. It breaks your RV campsite request, but .... it's central. The fall season drive along I84 would be fantastic, for an interstate.




Good travels.

Definitely making notes whether we go that way, or do it when we come back.

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Jim, we've been known to hold NOGs at L.L. Stub Stewart. You'll have to come out for another NOG when we go back there! Seeing a bunch of folks head out on bicycles is neato!

I will quite likely make it to another NOG. We both love the PNW, probably because there are many similarities to Western Canada. It will take many trips to check it all out. I have yet to spend time near the coast in Washington, and would love to do that some day too.

This is only my third trip camping along the coast in Oregon, and Nehalem is now the furthest north I have been. We were there in 1995 when our kids were smaller and we had a tent trailer. Back in 2009, on the inaugural run of our Escape 19. We also spent a week on the way down at Wallowa State Park, doing lots of exploring there, and loved it.

[Dave&Kathie]

There are lots of Forest Service campgrounds on the south side of Mt Hood (Lost Lake is really pretty):

Mt. Hood National Forest - Camping & Cabins:RV Camping

Also, Don't know when you would get to the Oregon border south from Spokane but this COE campground is a little oasis. Just north of the Oregon border by Umatilla.

Facility Details - Plymouth Park, WA - Recreation.gov

If you are visiting Mt Hood, Timberline Lodge is worth a visit. Here are the campgrounds they list close by. Still Creek is supposed to be pretty or, if you want more amenities, there's always Mt Hood RV Village:

Mt Hood Camping | Mt Hood Hiking | Timberline Lodge

Have fun, Safe Journeys, see you next week!

Kathie

[Vermilye]

While in Tillamook, check out the Air Museum. It is in a huge wooden blimp hanger, one of the few left. Many of the airplanes still fly; the last time I was there they took 3 of them out for a ride.

[BCnomad]

How do people like the "other cheese factory" in Tillimook? Blue Heron?



...
Just googled/yelped it. Seems good for brie and some other choices that the main competitor might not have. Go go Jim!

[NW Cat Owner]

Yeah, the Tillamook cheese factory is good if you want to see how cheese is mass produced. Mechanical engineers like looking at all the machinery. Their wives get bored and sit down to read a book. Don't ask me how I know this.

I do like their cheddar and use it quite frequently. However, when I want cheese on my crackers, I get cheddar made from much smaller companies. It has a completely different taste than the Tillamook.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by NW Cat Owner

Yeah, the Tillamook cheese factory is good if you want to see how cheese is mass produced. Mechanical engineers like looking at all the machinery. Their wives get bored and sit down to read a book. Don't ask me how I know this.

I do like their cheddar and use it quite frequently. However, when I want cheese on my crackers, I get cheddar made from much smaller companies. It has a completely different taste than the Tillamook.

And the Cheddar made in Cheddar England will cure you from any North American Cheddar. First time I tasted it: "Oh, so that's what Cheddar is supposed to taste like."