Camping on the picturesque Oregon coast can be an exciting or a relaxing vacation for the entire family. Oregon campgrounds offer a wide range of activities, locations, types of campgrounds available, and price ranges. Finding the perfect vacation to meet the needs of your family can be as simple as doing a little research on the Internet. Once you decide what kind of Oregon coast camping vacation you are looking for, finding an Oregon coast camping site is a piece of cake. More and more types of Oregon coast campsites are placing their camping information on the Internet for vacationers to choose from. Search this online information for many variables, from location of the Oregon camping site, to amenities offered, to family-friendly environments.
CHOOSING THE PERFECT OREGON CAMPGROUND
You've decided to spend your vacation on the Oregon Coast camping, but where do you start when it comes time to pick the perfect combination of camping needs for your trip? Take a look at your vacation itinerary. Where do plan to spend your time while you are camping in Oregon? Are you planning on four-wheeling along the Dunes National Park? Are you going on a lighthouse tour of the Oregon Coast? Are you attending any activities while you are there, such as festivals, fairs, or concerts? Do you plan to spend your time relaxing on one of the highly acclaimed Oregon Coast golf courses or resorts? Decide what you plan to do, and where you want to spend your time. Then you're ready to start looking at Oregon Coast campsites. After you've decided where you are going to spend the bulk of your time, decide how you want to spend that time. Are you looking for an outdoor vacation near the beach, or something more in the middle of a lush green forest? Do you want to stay in a rustic and basic environment, or are you one of those campers who can't leave home without the remote control and the hair dryer? Oregon campgrounds can accommodate the needs of almost any type of camper. If you are looking for a back-to-basics type adventure, look at the Oregon campgrounds that offer limit amounts of amenities or traditional-style camping. If you have to travel with a DVD player, perhaps one of the many RV parks along the Oregon coast would better suit your needs. After you decide the type of camping experience you are looking for, consider the costs of each option. How much are you willing to spend for your Oregon camping trip? Quotes for many different types of camping experiences can easily be found online. Be sure to check the availability of your desired campground. Some Oregon campsites are only offered during specific times of the year, or have limited availability and reservation space during certain peak times. If possible, make reservations before you go. This can save you time and potential headaches and help you achieve the perfect vacation.
OREGON STATE CAMPGROUNDS
When camping in Oregon, keep in mind that you have other camping options besides privately run Oregon campsites. Oregon State campgrounds are available every year for a limited amount of vacationers. Most of the time you can make reservations and check the campground availability online from any of the Oregon State Park websites. Camping in Oregon State campgrounds is often less expensive than patronizing any of the privately run campgrounds in Oregon. Oregon State Campgrounds are taken care of by the state of Oregon and are usually kept in immaculate condition. Campsites are clearly marked, easy to find, and well-taken care of. Oregon State has large portions of its land dedicated exclusively as State or National Park grounds. Over three hundred miles of coastland are included in the State and Nationally protected areas. For a more complete listing of the Oregon State Campgrounds and the National Park grounds located in Oregon, initiate a search on the Internet for State and National Park directories. These directories should also provide simple and easy instructions on making reservations.
OREGON BEACH CAMPGROUNDS
In 1967, the state of Oregon dedicated huge amounts of land to the State and National park systems in order to make sure it was preserved for future generations. Because so much of the Oregon Coast in particular is designated as State or Nationally protected land, camping in Oregon offers the unique experience of camping directly on the beach. Not all beaches allow sand camping, so check the listings online of beaches that do allow coastal camping before you make your reservations. Camping on the beach offers you the relaxing experience of falling asleep to the rhythm of the ocean surf. Different types of beach camping are available, ranging from tent camping to cabin camping to RV camping. The costs of beach camping vary depending on the type of camping and the amenities offered. While most of the Oregon coast beaches offer free access to its waterfront, many privately owned and managed Oregon campsites do not offer free camping. Oregon beach campgrounds have limited amounts of space available, so make your reservations early to ensure you get the perfect Oregon campsite.
OREGON COAST RV CAMPING
The Oregon coast is dotted with RV campgrounds. As more people are traveling across the country in RVs, more RV campgrounds are popping up. RV parks can be a little more expensive than traditional tent or cabin style camping, but can make up for the extra cost by offering a multitude of amenities. Before you choose an RV park, decide on what kind of amenities you need to make your Oregon camping experience the very best that it can be. Different types of RV campgrounds in Oregon offer different types of amenities. Some campgrounds may offer options such as water hookups, laundry facilities, convenient parking, boat storage and parking, showers, and many other types of options. Most of the available options can be easily found by searching on the Internet. RV campgrounds in Oregon often fill up pretty quickly, so making reservations well in advance is advisable.
Oregon's coast is known as a treasure trove of pristine beaches - some of the cleanest in the world. Then there's the Nehalem Bay area, on the northern coast, with its legends of buried treasure around tiny Manzanita, possibly sequestering the real thing in its thick envelope of slightly mysterious forest. It's an area that seems to never cease in its revelations and hidden delights. No matter that you may be a frequenting regular, the beaches, Neahkahnie Mountain and the three tiny towns of Nehalem, Wheeler and Manzanita which comprise the bay area always yield new discoveries.
The San Dune Inn is one of those, even for addicted veterans of the area like myself, who visit here almost every week from the metropolitan area of Portland, some 100 miles away. While there's a lovely little local nightlife hotspot called San Dune Tavern just stumbling distance away, the San Dune Inn - a very family-friendly motel - is one of those lurking surprises awaiting.
Not many lodging spots can claim to have a vast array of freebies like bikes, game equipment, popcorn and movies. But San Dune does. Stay at this charming, unassuming place just steps away from Manzanita's main drag - Laneda Avenue - and you'll find stuff for volleyball and other games suitable for the sand, as well as beach balls, bikes and simple sandcastle-making gear like buckets. It's a kid's dream come true.
At 41, and a kid at heart, all these playthings are a dream come true for me as well.
Perhaps what charmed me the most about this place upon my first few visits was the thick London accent of owner Brian and his down-to-Earth approach, as well as the kids' stuff available for play. And then there was that really adorable dog: Buddy. This tiny little pup was so fluffy and soft he felt more like a stuffed animal. But he was the real deal, and loves greeting guests as they come in.
On this stay, Brian's wife, Billie, hooked me up with a lovely little room on the westward end of the motel. From here, you could just barely hear the waves of Manzanita's beaches in the middle of the night, lulling you to sleep. The room is immaculate, with a color theme of blue, coming complete with a coffee machine, VCR and TV, a blow dryer hooked into the wall, a small fridge and even a shower cap.
The San Dune Inn has 14 such cozy rooms, all of them with VCR's, cable TV, the small fridge, microwave and access to all the cool freebie amenities for sand play, as well as free movies, games and even books. Six of the rooms feature full kitchens with separate living room and bedroom areas. Plus, the place is pet friendly - and there's this nifty little barbecue area out back with a tent next to it.
For me, as the middle-aged kid with a surreal sense of exploration, I was interested in playing with the bikes. After a party at a friend's house nearby, I took one for a joyride on the beach. I'm not sure zipping around at three in the morning is what the Hines had in mind for these, but I was filled with a load of childlike joy. It's been perhaps 20 years since I rode one, and I discovered the old adage is true: you never forget how.
Subsequent visits found me reveling more in the slight kookiness of this place. Brian has quite a raucous sense of humor, and is great for a fun spot of conversation. I've gone on late, nocturnal bike rides with regularity now, thanks to Brian and Billie. Sometime in the last year, they acquired a somewhat wacky statue of a heron made from found junk. Intriguing, pretty and yet delightfully off-kilter.
I've also found myself going through their extensive library of flicks, taking in all the M. Night Shaliman movies they have.
In the end, I discover the San Dune is perfect for families with kids - or adults who act like kids. Next time, perhaps I'll take the more grownup route, take a friend and we'll stay in and enjoy one of their fairly large selection of movies. Or maybe we'll both act like kids and play with the beach toys and bikes again. You'll find it about a block away from Laneda, at 428 Dorcas Lane.
Both David Nool & Andre' Hagestedt are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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