FORT STEVENS STATE PARK

100 PETER IREDALE ROAD

HAMMOND | 503.861.1671

EATS SOUTH JETTY DINING ROOM & BAR, HAMMOND 

Ten miles west of Astoria, the 4,200-acre park ranks as one of the largest and most family-friendly options with a network of hiking and biking trails, a beached shipwreck, tours of military ruins, lakes for swimming, canoeing and fishing, and an amphitheater offering nature-themed movies. For the prime tent camping spots, try the K loop. The beach itself is an easy mile walk from camp along a manicured trail.

NEHALEM BAY STATE PARK

9500 SANDPIPER LANE

MANZANITA | 503.368.5943

EATS BIG WAVE CAFE MANZANITA http://oregonsbigwavecafe.com/

This park has more than 300 campsites, some buttressing the dune that separates the campground from the beach. Visit one of the nearby bays and go crabbing. Head to Kelly’s Marina to rent a boat and crab pots ($75 for two hours). Bring a bottle of Oregon Chardonnay to pair with your catch.

BEACH SIDE RECREATION SITE

SOUTH OF WALDPORT

541.563.3220

EATS LUNA SEA FISH HOUSE YACHATS http://lunaseafishhouse.com/

Beach Side boasts a handful of the most perfect beach camping spots. Sites 80, 64 and 66 have views of the ocean and are just steps away from it. The one downside is the campground backs right onto Highway 101.

SUNSET BAY STATE PARK

89814 CAPE ARAGO HWY

COOS BAY | 541.888.3778

EATS HIGH TIDE CAFE COOS BAY http://hightidecafeoregon.com/

Close to North Bend and Charleston, Sunset Bay’s camping is probably best kept for off-peak times. A half-mile walk gets you to the bay, where you can settle down for a front-row view of the sunset. Several neatly kept trails connect the park with Shore Acres and Cape Arago state parks. Bring your binoculars for whale watching.

Cape Blanco State Park

Port Orford | 541.332.6774

EATS Redfish | Port Orford http://redfishportorford.com/

With a stunning and nearly deserted beach, Cape Blanco ranks as one of the top spots for sheer beauty and isolation. For the rock hunter, it’s an agate lover’s dream as the beach is littered with the semi-precious stones. The campground is set high above the beach and offers breathtaking views. Tent sites (which are first-come-first-served) along the “A” loop have ocean views, as do the four cabins. There are lighthouse tours from April-October and eight miles of trails are available for hiking with seven dedicated horse trails.