Has anyone stayed in a yurt in any of Oregon's state parks? I read about them in Frommer's Budget Travel magazine and have checked them out on the Oregon state park web site. They look like fun. Any personal experiences?

Yes! They are very fun and very good in Oregon since it can extend the camping season. Would definately stay in one again. I would recommend them without hesitation.

A few advantages are heat, electricity (lights, hair dryer plugins) inside and a roof in case of rain. Would also be good for keeping a bit cleaner, tents and kids can get pretty dirty. It is also good for campers who aren't really true outdoorsmen (or women) and appreciate solid walls.

Disadvantage is that you still have to take all the same stuff with you except the tent. Unless you want to eat out then you still need the pots, pans, dishes, cookstove, etc... that you do for camping. They also fill up quickly so you need to either go at off times of the year or make reservations way ahead.

As for budget travel sure but again you need sleeping bags (more difficult if flying) and doesn't save anything on food if you don't bring the kitchen with you.

They are fun and would be good for a family, especially off season where weather is not predictable. Personally I would use them near towns since they are a little easier and I don't want the extra hassle of a tent but I still love tent camping too.

Any specific questions?

Thanks!

We have stayed in the Housekeeping Camp in Yosemite Valley as well as in rustic cabins in other sites, so we are well versed at bringing everything except the tent - LOL. Also, this would be part of a car trip, so no worries about massive amounts of luggage and flying - as long as it can fit in the car, it can go - LOL.

I really appreciate the recommendation for making the reservations well in advance or going in the off season.

Which parks did you visit while you were in Oregon? We are looking at maybe 1 or 2 on the southern coast and 1 inland a bit. We are in the SF Bay Area and are thinking of taking a car trip up the north coast of CA and into Oregon next September or October.

We stayed in Bandon/Bullards Beach actually (I live in Oregon). We had a very good time. During the summer/early fall they have evening events. They had a string group while we were there, it was casual and (a tad hokey) fun.

It is a bit of a walk to the beach, but you can cheat and drive to the parking lot. The lighthouse there is fun, you can go up in it, I don't think it is used anymore though.

Bandon has a cheese factory where you can go in and taste all types of cheeses, very fun. Bandon also has a cute little downtown area.

Shore Acres is also a state park just north of Bandon and worth a stop. It has beautiful gardens (wish they had more money, it could be really wonderful). If you go, be sure you go out the gate near the pond to see the lagoon? area, it is not really marked but worth looking down into if you don't want to hike down. We spent a long time watching 2 dogs play and admiring the views.

That is the only place we have stayed in the yurts, the other one I want to try is in Astoria but it fills up very quickly - the most popular state campground in Oregon I think and we just haven't gotten to it yet.

In general the state parks are very nice, I think all the campground restrooms have showers, sometimes a little cool but they get the body clean.

I love the jet boats at Gold Beach if that is something that interests you. Hwy 101 goes inland from Coos Bay to Florence, it is still a pretty drive and there are waysides where you can see and acces the ocean but there aren't any coastal views from the highway. From Florence north they are spectacular though.

Do come north it should be beautiful! I want to head to your 'neck of the woods' soon!

Sara

We stayed in the yurts at LaPine, OR.
We received the keys to the yurt-so we were pleased to be able to lock up and go. We did not have to pack up our belongings. The housekeeping staff was there when we arrived-sanitizing the mattresses etc. We were very pleased.
I did not expect to have such comfortable, clean and pleasant lodging. The only draw back was a very loud group of...I kid you not...Christian bikers. They were either
singing (with microphones and speakers) until very late-or revving up their engines on their very loud motorcycles all weekend. YURTS RULE!

Thanks for all the great information. I think we may have to do this trip next year - it sounds like a lot of fun.

H SaraLM!! Are you referring to Fort Stevens State Park for the place you want to stay near Astoria? It's beautiful!! We ride our bikes on the great trails there. There is also the Peter Iredale boat wreck at the beach that is very interesting.

Coffenbury Lake is also there and is a great place to canoe, kayak, etc. If you could get in to this park, you would really enjoy it!! I wasn't aware that they had yurts there, tho. If you did stay at Fort Stevens, you are very close to all the major attractions. Fort Clatsop, Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, etc. Also, many great places to eat in the area. It would be a great place to stay!! ***kim***

Yes Fort Stevens is the park I want to go to, there is just so much I want to see, I need more than a weekend and to set aside some time.

I also want to do the Astor Column and the Maritime Museum and walk around the wonderful old homes and I remember climbing around the old military fort with fondness.

I THINK that Fort Stevens was the first park to get the yurts on a trial basis, obviously they are a success.

J Correa, I thought of something else, as mentioned on the website they don't allow cooking in the yurts so if you had a small shelter to set up outside in case of inclement weather I would advise throwing that in the car too, just in case!

That is a good idea about the shelter for cooking. Otherwise if it rains, my husband would be mighty chilly out there making breakfast - LOL.

Until you can make it to the area, www.oldoregon.com is a great website for that area. I have also seen the yurts in Oregon Coast magazine. What a wonderful area to give this a try!!! ***kim***