Oregon Parks- reservations in fall?

[Bobbie Mayer]

Do I need to worry about reservations for the weekend before Thanksgiving somewhere like Bullard's Beach?

Also- any other parks you might suggest that are on the route from Portland-Reedsport-Eureka, CA about midway (4-6 hrs)? I'm looking for a 1 night stay, sheltered but not in the forest, and not on a windy coast site, either around 4-6 hrs from Vancouver, Wa or from Eureka (for the trip home).

[k corbin]

Originally Posted by Bobbie Mayer

Do I need to worry about reservations for the weekend before Thanksgiving somewhere like Bullard's Beach?

Also- any other parks you might suggest that are on the route from Portland-Reedsport-Eureka, CA about midway (4-6 hrs)? I'm looking for a 1 night stay, sheltered but not in the forest, and not on a windy coast site, either around 4-6 hrs from Vancouver, Wa or from Eureka (for the trip home).

As you are within of few weeks time out you should be able to tell by now how crowded it is likely to be from the Reserve America website as it will show what sites are still available versus already reserved in the various Oregon State park campgrounds. If there is only a small percentage available at this date then you likely do need to worry about reservations.

[Bobbie Mayer]

Oh, good idea. Although I couldn't get onto the reservation website earlier- hopefully just a glitch, or I can call.

[Donna D.]

If you don't really need a campground, you can try The Mill Casino in Coos Bay. That's only about 25 miles north of Bullards Beach State Park.

[Bobbie Mayer]

I'd rather have a park. Though I'll keep that in mind.

[Gina D.]

I can highly recommend Cape Blanco SP, its a little beyond Bandon and does NOT require reservations..as a matter of fact, they don't take them.

I recently pulled in there for a nite and was absolutely blown away..ended up staying 2 nites. It can get windy there, but the park itself is off the beach and mostly sheltered. All sites are water and electric, no sewer..and it is a few bucks cheaper than the rest..I think it was like 21 bucks.

Just south of there is the aptly named Humbug SP. Completely off the beach and right off the 101. It is clean and pleasant, typical of OSPs, but there is really nothing there as an "attraction". They have full and no hook up sites, perfect for your rig.

When near Eureka, consider staying at the park I work in! Its lovely, clean, dog friendly and in a redwood grove and easy on/off the 101. PM me if interested and I will tell you where it is.

[Bobbie Mayer]

Thanks, Gina. Humbug Mtn is one of the possibles. I'll check out Cape Blanco. I'm going to park outside my daughter's when I'm in Humboldt Co, most likely. But I'll PM you as I may change my mind.

[CJ Johnson]

I live in Port Orford the location of Cape Blanco State Park and Humbug. Both are beautiful sites. Blanco is the westerly most point in the continental US. The camp area is heavily treed and there are very nice walks. Humbug is also beautiful and the camp ground recently remodeled. It is a bit more open.

This time of year there won't be a problem getting a site. If it is storming it is going to be windy anywhere on the Oregon Coast.

CJ

[Bobbie Mayer]

Thanks. I'll probably play it by ear which is what I want to do, anyway, to take advantage of the best driving weather.

[ravensrest]

It may be just a tad further south than you wanted, but I'd suggest Alfred E. Loeb State Park. It is just a few miles up the north side of the Chetco River out off Brookings. It has 47 first come, first served sites, but when I was last there in August, it had sites available even on the weekend. It appears to be a sort of overflow campground for Harris Beach. It has power and water hookups, no sewer, but for one night that is probably not a major inconvenience for you. $22/night, all paved roads, and right on the beautiful river.

[Bobbie Mayer]

Originally Posted by ravensrest

It may be just a tad further south than you wanted, but I'd suggest Alfred E. Loeb State Park. It is just a few miles up the north side of the Chetco River out off Brookings. It has 47 first come, first served sites, but when I was last there in August, it had sites available even on the weekend. It appears to be a sort of overflow campground for Harris Beach. It has power and water hookups, no sewer, but for one night that is probably not a major inconvenience for you. $22/night, all paved roads, and right on the beautiful river.

Thanks, I'll check it out.

[Bobbie Mayer]

Leaning towards Humbug but I may try one on the way down and another on the way back. It will probably be a weekday anyway as it turns out.

[k corbin]

Originally Posted by Bobbie Mayer

Oh, good idea. Although I couldn't get onto the reservation website earlier- hopefully just a glitch, or I can call.

I just got a notice from them saying reservations open on November 17th. But that might be for the year 2017 and have nothing to do with this year. However it likely does mean they are busy working on the website to incorporate those changes which could explain why the site was not available when you tried to log on.

[Bobbie Mayer]

It worked later- I think it was Comcast. I think the November 17 is for eclipse viewing reservations as I also received an email about that.

[Bobbie Mayer]

Well, I ended up at Harris Beach, unfortunately pulling in slightly after dark (I was trying to make sure I could make Humboldt before the rain and wind the next day, which I did.). I decided to add to my camping gear a couple of small LED lanterns to use to mark a campsite if this happens again! Backing in in the dark is not fun.

(Re reservations- only C loop was taking them and it was close to full. A and B were about half full in the RV sites but few tents- a few camper vans in the tent sites. Lots of very flooded sites even without rain the day I arrived. But no problem other than the dark coming in without a reservation.)

So now the question is- when will it be dry enough to head north again? Sunday looks good but I'm not thrilled with hitting Portland late Sunday afternoon. So if I wanted to stop and camp just south of Portland- any suggestions? Preferably not far off the freeway. Somewhere between Eugene and Portland, maybe. I'll be taking the 205 as that is closer to where I have to stop on the way home.

Still playing it by ear with the weather as my preferred plan is to get at least a few hours on the way on Saturday and overnight in a friend's driveway without unhitching so I can leave at first light. Just looking for the "too wet or windy to drive on Saturday" alternative.

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by Bobbie Mayer

Well, I ended up at Harris Beach, unfortunately pulling in slightly after dark (I was trying to make sure I could make Humboldt before the rain and wind the next day, which I did.). I decided to add to my camping gear a couple of small LED lanterns to use to mark a campsite if this happens again! Backing in in the dark is not fun.

(Re reservations- only C loop was taking them and it was close to full. A and B were about half full in the RV sites but few tents- a few camper vans in the tent sites. Lots of very flooded sites even without rain the day I arrived. But no problem other than the dark coming in without a reservation.)

So now the question is- when will it be dry enough to head north again? Sunday looks good but I'm not thrilled with hitting Portland late Sunday afternoon. So if I wanted to stop and camp just south of Portland- any suggestions? Preferably not far off the freeway. Somewhere between Eugene and Portland, maybe. I'll be taking the 205 as that is closer to where I have to stop on the way home.

Still playing it by ear with the weather as my preferred plan is to get at least a few hours on the way on Saturday and overnight in a friend's driveway without unhitching so I can leave at first light. Just looking for the "too wet or windy to drive on Saturday" alternative.

Sunday predicted to be dry for Portland. Here's a nice stop close to I-5. Champoeg State Heritage Area - Oregon State Parks and Recreation

[Bobbie Mayer]

Just discovered that one- looks promising.

Sunday appears to be dry just about everywhere but if I leave this area at first light I'd be hitting Portland just as everyone else does and probably in the dark. (A downside I didn't consider about traveling at this time of year.) So if I can't get a few hours on the way Saturday I may need to stop short of Portland. (On the other hand, dry roads and a well-lighted freeway wouldn't be so bad as winding around on the coast in the rain after dark.)

I left my youngest dog with friends just inside Washington (huge fenced yard and playmate instead of cooped up in trailer and car) but can overnight there if I get there. (They even have hookups- as well as a guest bed!)

[Donna D.]

Champoeg is 35 miles south of downtown Portland and 46 miles to the gate from downtown Portland. You'll be in the park before you get to Portland. Think of it as being half-way between Salem and Portland.