Oregon Looking for coastal / Western Oregon suggestions

tomtaylz

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I'm looking for suggestions up the Oregon coast, or in general the western side which aren't smokey, for next week with my Colorado, would love some off-roading and cool spots to camp but I'll be solo so don't need anything too sporty. I was originally going to go to east Oregon and have a route planned - and I still might. But I'm tracking on purpleair.com it's looking more and more like I might get smoked out and I could use a break from the smoke.

Tagging @psrivats :D
 
I'm looking for suggestions up the Oregon coast, or in general the western side which aren't smokey, for next week with my Colorado, would love some off-roading and cool spots to camp but I'll be solo so don't need anything too sporty. I was originally going to go to east Oregon and have a route planned - and I still might. But I'm tracking on purpleair.com it's looking more and more like I might get smoked out and I could use a break from the smoke.

Tagging @psrivats :D

How far North are you planning to drive up? There are soooooo many pretty places on the coast that's it's hard to suggest just one. I'm going to tag @ElectricWizard as well here.

One of my top suggestion is Brookings, OR, specifically Samuel Bordman Scenic Corridor. Outstanding scenery in every way. You get stuff like this over there (not my photo because they don't do any justice whatsoever).

fixedw_large_4x (1).jpg


If you up plan to come much more north, Ecola state park (close to Seaside, OR) is also really very good. And I'll meet you up there if you drive that far!

https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=136
 
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Pretty sure you'll be smoked out. Not sure there's any way around that :LOL:
 
Pretty sure you'll be smoked out. Not sure there's any way around that :LOL:

From the forecasts I've seen it's pretty good on the western parts up until about bend. I was considering this as my replacement plan https://www.overlandtrailguides.com/post/siskiyou-sasquatch-safari

How far North are you planning to drive up? There are soooooo many pretty places on the coast that's it's hard to suggest just one. I'm going to tag @ElectricWizard as well here.

One of my top suggestion is Brookings, OR, specifically Samuel Bordman Scenic Corridor. Outstanding scenery in every way. You get stuff like this over there (not my photo because they don't do any justice whatsoever).

View attachment 185770

If you up plan to come much more north, Ecola state park (close to Seaside, OR) is also really very good. And I'll meet you up there if you drive that far!

https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=136

That looks amazing! I'll do some reading - it's going to be a sort of hodgepodge of a trip leaving Wednesday morning. Originally it was to pick something up from Bend but everything is super delayed so no longer need to go there right now and I need some time off so I'm just going for it. I sold my topper in anticipation of the new gear - so need to figure out an open-bed setup which is new to me.
 
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As far as how far north - I'm not sure yet. I don't mind a bit of a drive especially for clearer skies but I have about 5 days total
 
From the forecasts I've seen it's pretty good on the western parts up until about bend. I was considering this as my replacement plan https://www.overlandtrailguides.com/post/siskiyou-sasquatch-safari



That looks amazing! I'll do some reading - it's going to be a sort of hodgepodge of a trip leaving Wednesday morning. Originally it was to pick something up from Bend but everything is super delayed and I need some time off so I'm just going for it. I sold my topper in anticipation so need to figure out an open-bed setup which is new to me.

Bend is quite a bit South from where I am. If you stay there, let me know, I can recommend some EPIC hikes.
 
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On the far southern coast (Brookings) I like Loeb (closed) https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=51 and Harris Beach https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=58

Sunset Bay (near Coos Bay) is one of my favorite coastal spots (camp ground isn't great, but it's a really pretty area) https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=70

Umpqua (near Florence) is closed https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=83 but Honeyman is open and it is right on the dunes. https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=95
 
Wow. That's nuts. Reminds me of the firest fires we had a few years back. I hated it but it did make for some really red looking sunrise and sunsets. My cat was not happy with all the smoke, he was struggling a bit during the peak of it.

Yeah they're really bad this year, we had a storm last week which never happens in august so the lightning just caught everything on fire. I know a couple of people who have been evacuated/lost their homes.

On the far southern coast (Brookings) I like Loeb (closed) https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=51 and Harris Beach https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=58

Sunset Bay (near Coos Bay) is one of my favorite coastal spots (camp ground isn't great, but it's a really pretty area) https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=70

Umpqua (near Florence) is closed https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=83 but Honeyman is open and it is right on the dunes. https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=95


Thank you! I'll take a look through these too, it looks like with the coast, worst case I could just head up into the national forest and dispersed camp. I'm guessing Oregon is like everywhere else and camping is pretty busy right now
 
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Yes, it is busy. We went to Waldo Lake 2 weeks ago and it was packed. If your heading over the Cascades, Shadow Bay is really pretty. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/willamette/recarea/?recid=4514

If you go way north Camp Lookout is a good coastal one too: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=134

Near Bend, I like Paulina Lake https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=38442&actid=29 and Wickiup Reservoir is beautiful https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=38874&actid=29
 
Yes, it is busy. We went to Waldo Lake 2 weeks ago and it was packed. If your heading over the Cascades, Shadow Bay is really pretty. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/willamette/recarea/?recid=4514

If you go way north Camp Lookout is a good coastal one too: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=134

Near Bend, I like Paulina Lake https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=38442&actid=29 and Wickiup Reservoir is beautiful https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=38874&actid=29

Thanks - I was considering the Tillamook area so the Camp Lookout looks interesting - It seemed there might be some cool routes through the forest in that area
 
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So unless the air around Medford cleans up tomorrow my current plan is just going up the coast and trying to find some spots camp each night, I’ll hit as many parks and things as I can on the way. Not sure how far north I’ll get but feel free to dm me for anyone interested
 
No smoke anywhere on the coast of Oregon that I'm aware of, I'm on the south coast and my son is in and around Newport and no smoke up there either.

Plenty of places to wheel in the mountains up behind brookings, lots of logging roads.
 
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No smoke anywhere on the coast of Oregon that I'm aware of, I'm on the south coast and my son is in and around Newport and no smoke up there either.

Plenty of places to wheel in the mountains up behind brookings, lots of logging roads.

Good to hear! Thank you