I've been trolling through old Fodor's posts, but have not come across much on camping along the southern Oregon coast. We'll be spending 4 days in Ashland, then heading west to the coast. I've driven through the Dunes area which looked really neat. The Ntl. Park Service shows several campgrounds near there, but does anyone know anything about them? There are two young teens, a couple 40-somethings, and a 50-something in our group. We're up for short hikes or interesting attractions. Any suggestions would be super!

I'd try over on http://www.rv.net/forum/ Lots of great helpful members.

I've checked out the link, but there is not much on there...thanks tho...

We'll be tent camping.

Well I have my Oregon Coast mile by mile guide out and I see a Bastendorf Beach County Park with camping which is close to Coos Bay- have not been there.

There is also Sunset Bay State Park where I have camped once - it was nice camping spot with easy beach access.

Farther north I have stayed at the Umqua lighthouse State Park - we stayed in a yurt which is my idea of camping but there was an area for tent and RV campers. Its on a small lake stocked with fish and there is an easy walking trail around the lake. The trip up to the lighthouse at night is very cool.

When you get around Winchester Bay there are other campgrounds which cater to the ATV group who come with lots of big rigs and gear and they are out riding the dunes at night and in my mind, creating a lot of noise - so you would want to stay away from there.

We could hear them from the Umqua Lighthouse campground too but didnt really bother us.

You could try calling 1-800-824-8486 - its an Oregon Coast Visitors center for more info

Hope that helps a little

Thanks Sunbum! I will give the OR visitors center a call today.

Well, I have made this trip before. Beautiful all around.

Camping? I would go a little farther South into California...to Jedidiah Smith State Park. It is in the Redwoods, right on the Smith River, which is the longest un-dammed river in California. Close to the coast, due East of Crescent City. Hwy 199 from Grants Pass heads Southwest straight to the Park. Awesome drive through some wonderful countryside full of Elk, caves, and great backroads atmosphere.

I am wondering what other avenue to the coast you were considering?

thereyet

After our 4 days in Ashland, with a day trip to Crater Lake, I was thinking a couple nights camping near the Dunes or near the beach might be fun and different. I was hoping to just head to the coast west of Ashland or slighly north, as we need to be back in Seattle late on the 28th or 29th and didn't feel like having a ten hour drive on our last day. My brother-in-law will be driving south back to the Bay Area. I will mention the redwood camp spot to him...

There is no direct West route to the Sea. It is either the the more southerly route on 199 to the Redwoods or hwy 42 to the Bandon Coos Bay area of the Oregon Central Coast.

The Drive on hwy 199 is through the Illinois Valley.

http://www.rogueweb.com/cjunct/index...cal%20Location

thereyet

Thanks for the link. Have you been to the caves it mentioned? They sound interesting...

if you want to play on the dunes, you can stay at Honeyman state park outside of florence. Within a mile is a place to rent dune buggys or to book a tour onto the dunes. My husband and I booked a tour with a dune buggy driver that took us around the dunes. It was like riding a roller coaster without a track. We had a lot of fun. The only thing is is that if you are going to be there on a weekend, you will want to get a reservation at Honeyman State Park. It can book up. The park has both tent camping and rv sites. The facilities are really nice.

Thanks Debbie! I will look into that. Renting a dune buggy would be great fun. Do you know anything about the TAHKENITCH CAMPGROUND? It looks like it's very near to the Dunes area...

Takenitch is close to the dunes as well - has some nice trails to hike which is the only reason I have been there -
The dune buggy ride is very fun - I suggest the ride that holds only holds 4 people rather than the large group one

here is a link to the rides -
have not camped at Honeyman -but been there many times - fun climbing on the dunes and there is a small lake that people swinm in

heres a link to dune buggy rides

http://www.sandland.com/