Camping on the Coast

There are only a few summer weekends left in 2008, folks. And there’s no better place to spend them than outside.

How is your car camping know-how? GORP has a good car camping checklist, from your tent and other gear to what essentials go in the car camping kitchen and some handy gadgets to bring along.

A successful car camping trip depends largely on the preparations you put into it beforehand. Get all your gear in order and make sure you know how to assemble everything before you hit the road. Missing a key piece of equipment? Your local REI store can rent you a tent or sleeping bag. Nervous about showing up to the campground and not being able to secure a spot for the night>? Many campgrounds take reservations now – bookmark recreation.gov (formerly known as reserveusa.com.)

One of my favorite car camping destinations in late summer (or anytime!) is the north Oregon Coast, from the awesome mouth of the Columbia River at Astoria to the rugged coastline of Cape Perpetua. Here are four of the best north coast campgrounds for tent camping:

Fort Stevens State Park. This is your front-row seat for watching the Columbia River join the Pacific Ocean. Its offerings are unique, diverse and fun. Swim in a freshwater lake or spend an afternoon beachcombing. Walk along the six miles of hiking trails or bike on the nine miles of biking trails through dunes, shorepines, hemlock and spruce forests. Talk with long-distance hikers as they leave this spot for their journey along the Oregon Coast Trail. Visit the historical museum on site and learn about the military history of Fort Stevens.  There are 20 tent sites here, all with picnic tables and fire grills, and a separate camping area for hikers and bicyclists. Enjoy showers, a playground for the kiddies, and firewood available for purchase. Sites at Fort Stevens State Park are $22 per night (summer rate), plus $6 if you make a reservation (recommended, though some sites held for first-come, first-serve). Yurts available for rent. Info: 1.800.452.5687.

Oswald West State Park. Looking for a bit more solitude and nature? South of Cannon Beach on a dramatic stretch of the Oregon coast at Cape Falcon sits Oswald West State Park, with 36 primitive walk-in tent sites set among huge cedar and spruce trees. Fifteen miles of hiking trails plus a small beach great for watching for whales or just taking a nap makes this park a great spot for quietly connecting to nature. NOTE: Oswald West State Park campsites are currently closed due to the hazards of ancient trees falling on campers. This is very sad, indeed! Call Oregon State Parks at 1.800.551.6949 for more info.

Beverly Beach State Park. Just to the north of Newport is a fantastic but popular camping destination, Beverly Beach State Park. You’ll camp in some lovely woods on the east side of Highway 101, but only a short distance away through a tunnel is a stretch of beach that offers miles of roaming and beachcombing. Worth a visit just to the north is Devil’s Punchbowl, a spectacular place to watch the tide come in or go out as the carved rock formations cause the ocean water to swirl violently. It’s great! Another good destination nearby is the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport. Choose from 128 tent sites ($21 a night) all with picnic tables and fire grills, and a separate camping area for hikers and bicyclists. Also there are 21 yurts ($30 per night) and reservations are recommended. Info: 1.800.551.6949.

Cape Perpetua. This US Forest Service campground (Siuslaw National Forest) is in a truly spectacular setting near the town of Yachats on the central Oregon coast. Watch wales from the coastal cliffs or hike on one of the many nearby trails. Choose from 38 tent sites at Cape Perpetua, at $20 per night. Reserve online at recreation.gov or call 1.877.444.6777.

Happy coast camping! And don’t forget the marshmallows!