My favorite campgrounds that put you close to the ocean and nature include Cape Lookout State Park on the North Oregon Coast, Beverly Beach on the Central Oregon Coast and Sunset Bay State Park on the South Oregon Coast.

Cape Lookout, west of Tillamook, is beautiful campground adjacent to the ocean and a long stretch of beach. Several miles of walking and hiking trails offer scenic views and exploration of the rainforest. Explore the immediate area with short day trips to Cape Meares and Cape Kiwanda.

Beverly Beach State Park is just north of Newport and offers access to a long stretch of beach between Otter Rock and Yaquina Head. Devil’s Punchbowl at Otter Rock, the Otter Crest Scenic Viewpoint on Cape Foulweather and the Whale Watch Center at Depoe Bay are my top stops for exploring to the north of Beverly Beach. The Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area and lighthouse to the south of Beverly Beach is a must-stop with scenic views, marine life watching and a stairway to a beautiful intertidal area (so plan your visit for a low tide if possible). Other top attractions in Newport include the historic bay front, a unique combination of working waterfront and tourist shops and restaurants. The Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport is also very much worth a visit.

Sunset Bay State Park southwest of Coos Bay is located close to a beautiful cove beach and also offers access to nearby Shore Acres State Park and Cape Arago State Park. A hiking trail connects the three State Parks and is one of the great scenic hikes on all of the Oregon Coast. Shore Acres offers stunning view of sheer sandstone cliffs and exciting wave action and the nearby Simpson Reef is one of the best places to watch seals and sea lions on the coast.

Cape Arago State Park also offers great viewpoints and access to another exception intertidal area in its south cove. I would also suggest a day trip to see the beautiful beach at Bandon with stops at Coquille Point and the Face Rock viewpoint for scenic overlooks and beach access.

All of the elevated viewpoints you visit, especially on the Central Oregon Coast, will offer a good chance of seeing gray whales, so keep your eye open for the telltale spouts.

Although these three stops will allow you to see some of the best of the Oregon Coast, you may want to consider another night or two in other areas to catch a few top attractions you miss limiting yourself to these stops. If you are interested in Astoria, Seaside or Cannon Beach, you may want to plan a stop at Fort Steven State Park or private RV parks in Seaside or Cannon Beach. The top beach or nature experiences would be Haystack Rock, where you can see nesting puffins, and Ecola State Park that offers panoramic views, easy walking trails and longer scenic hikes.

Another amazing stretch of Coast you will want to consider spending more time is the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area south of Yachats. There is a Forest Service campground and some private RV parks in this area, though the nearest State Park campground is Washburne State Park. Washburne State Park offers nearby beach access, a hiking trail to the Heceta Head Lighthouse and easy drives to Heceta Lighthouse State Park and the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area attractions like Spouting Horn at Cook’s Chasm and Devil’s Churn.

You’ve also left of an amazing stretch of the South Oregon Coast between Gold Beach and Brookings, but I suggest you save that for your next trip.

Be sure to make advance reservations for campsites, so you are assured of getting your spot in these amazing areas.