My son (3yr old) and I will be visiting Oregon at end of July for 12 days, flying into Portland. We enjoy tent camping here in NY. Looking for advice on what we should be prepared for doing the same in Oregon. Are we crazy to consider tent camping in Oregon end of July through beginning of August unless we really enjoy taking down and putting up wet tents?

We're flying into Portland, but the rest of our trip is still up in the air. Last minute "opportunity". As I'll be doing all the driving and entertaining my son, I hope to camp 2 nights at each spot. Looking at the coast and then possibly Crater Lake and then Bend areas.

Any and all advice greatly appreciated!
- Kathy

check out www.oregonstateparks.org. There are lots of beautiful places in Oregon with yurts, cabins, and teepees to rent in the stat parks. That would be a lot more comfortable, and certainly easier than flying/packing full camping gear, but still give you a good experience. You just never know about rain in the PNW.

Try renting a yurt (or cabin) in Oregon State Parks. Closest to Portland is Champoeg which is where the state was chartered in 1859. 5 nice yurts there plus a nice campground. There are several campgrounds along the coast with yurts. Bring all that you would for a camping trip except the tent. Between Crater Lake and Bend you can rent a cabin at LaPine State Park.
This is much easier than putting up or taking down a wet tent.
http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/PARKS/cabins.shtml

I found a rangers cabin near Bend and yurts for most of the rest of our nights. I was amazed to find these considering we'll be visiting Oregon in a short 3 weeks! It looks like we're able to make a big loop through the central and coast areas, spending two nights at most so we're not rushed. I want to look once more to be sure I didn't mess anything up. Will post my trip itinerary later.

Thank you for the advice!!

Hurray! I really do think you'll find it more enjoyable than hauling your own tent around (even if it doesn't rain). Oregon is a gorgeous state, enjoy your trip.

NYmom - that is awesome news! I'm so glad to hear it (and yes, surprised too given the late date!). While you may not have minded camping, I think you'll enjoy your trip so much more this way. I hope you and your son have a terrific trip! Please do post your itinerary (and a trip report later on) - I'll love to read them!

Jenn

One of your questions asked "what we should be prepared for". I'm not sure exactly what you were asking but we camped there (Astoria State Park outside Astoria) about the same time last year and were glad to have long sleeves and pants--also rain gear.

Along the northern coast of Oregon, the prettiest shoreline views we saw were Ecola State Park (no camping there) between Seaside and Cannon Beach. It's worth a couple of dollars to drive in and see the views.

Also, in Cannon Beach (which we liked much better than Seaside), get there at low tides and walk out to the huge Haystack Rock. Sometimes there are little critters in the tide pools.

Glad you found what you were looking for and glad we could help.
While you are in the Tillamook area, stop at the cheese factory (great ice cream, too). Head over to the Cape Meares lighthouse from the cheese factory.
Which route are you using to come over the Cascades? Visiting Crater Lake on your way to Bend?
There was still lots of snow on Mt. Bachelor yesterday when we went by. There were loads of people at Elk Lake on the Cascade Lakes Highway.
On the way back to Portland, stop near McMinnville at the Evergreen Aircraft Museum to see the Spruce Goose.

Connie--Actually there is a bit of camping at Ecola State Park. They are walk in sites, and only a few, but they are there.

Can I just jump in here with a question about low tide at Cannon Beach...? I read online that at the end of July, low tide is at approximately 4:30p.m. Does this sound right to everyone? As we plan our timing in Cannon Beach, I'd love to be able to be there at low tide, but want to have the right information!

Thanks.

Thanks mms--I had researched state parks in the area two years ago and that was my memory.
The state's list of state parks with campgrounds doesn't list Ecola State Park:
http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/PARKS/camping.shtml


It is actually fairly hard to find campgrounds at state parks along the coast of Oregon!

High/low tides are at slightly different times each day.
The tide table you are looking for- http://www.cannon-beach.net/cbweather.html
Print them out now instead of looking for a bulletin board.
My favorite Oregon beach campground is Honeyman in a yurt.

Connie--True, finding campgrounds right on the coast is not easy Ecola isn't listed because there are only a couple sites and it is walk in with no services. Basically a hikers camp. But it is there and very few people even know about it.