: Hart's Camp

Winter Glamping in Oregon’s Vintage Trailers

Old-school Airstreams offer an escape from the elements.
November 22, 2022

For decades, the polished aluminum of the potato-shaped Airstream trailer represented an embrace of the open road in the United States. While Airstreams have fallen by the wayside in favor of RVs, teardrop trailers and other modern conveniences, they hold a special place in the hearts of those enamored with a back-to-the-basics brand of travel.

These days, it’s easy to enjoy all the comforts of an Airstream while staying in one place in Oregon. Throughout the state, from the sweeping coastline to the high desert of Central Oregon, a handful of campgrounds and resorts are updating and upgrading these vintage trailers for a new generation of travelers. And they’re doing so with modern amenities like high-definition televisions, plush beds and on-site fire pits. (Just a friendly note: Taller travelers may want to watch their heads while moving around inside.)

If you want to enjoy a dose of the outdoors this winter — but want to stay warm while doing so — we’ve rounded up some outstanding trailer resorts around Oregon, along with a few only-in-winter activities for enjoying your day.

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Hart's Camp

Private Yards With Fire Pits and Beach Strolls in Pacific City

Sitting at the base of Haystack Rock and at the foot of Cape Kiwanda, Pacific City is always bustling in summer — but winter brings a quiet calm to the coastal community. Enjoy the relaxed vibe with a couple nights at Hart’s Camp, which hosts seven luxurious Airstreams at the base of a forested hillside. Each features queen or bunk beds, full (indoor) kitchens, and restrooms with showers; when the sun makes an appearance, zip up your puffy jacket and relax in your trailer’s private yard (outfitted with picnic tables, chairs and fire pits).

Away from the campground, you’ll find plenty of winter fun around Pacific City and the broader Tillamook Coast. Consider a stroll along the beach, for instance, at nearby Bob Straub State Park — where you might spy migrating gray whales offshore. And if you want to nosh on an Oregon delicacy, go crabbing for Dungeness crab with rentals, gear and assistance from Kelly’s Brighton Marina along the Nehalem River — and cook the day’s catch on site at the marina, in your trailer’s indoor kitchen or on an outdoor gas grill. 

Nehalem River (Photo by Broken Banjo / Visit Tillamook)
The Vintages

Soaker Tubs and Native Wildlife Spotting in Willamette Valley Wine Country

Enjoying a quiet cellar season at your favorite wineries? The Vintages Trailer Resort, nestled in the heart of Willamette Valley wine country, makes a chic base camp for all your adventures. The luxe trailer park hosts 36 fully restored travel trailers that date back to the 1940s; each has its own personality, but amenities include comfortable beds, private bathrooms and retro-inspired decor. (One, a 1956 Spartan Royal Mansion, even comes with a fenced-in, open-air soaker tub, if you’re willing to brave the elements.) A general store stocks local libations if you want to uncork around the fire pit back at your trailer.

Stretch your legs with a walk through the partially wooded Champoeg State Heritage Area, where in 1843 Oregon’s first provisional government was formed. A few footpaths hug the Willamette River, a birder’s paradise where you might spy migrating birds or native species like the great blue heron or osprey. Afterward, warm up with a flight at one of the more than 600 wineries across the Willamette Valley; in winter a mellow vibe pervades tasting rooms, where there’s always plenty of room around the fireplace. 

A bird sits on a branch
Hummingbird at Champoeg State Heritage Area (Photo by Oregon State Parks)
Bay Point Landing

Chic Stays, Bocce Ball and Clam Digs in Coos Bay

Bay Point Landing, at the edge of Coos Bay on the southern Oregon Coast, hosts 14 Airstreams, each featuring partial views of the bay, with modern touches that include skylights, kitchenettes, private bathrooms, outdoor fire pits and access to the on-site clubhouse (home to a bocce-ball court and an indoor heated saltwater pool). 

Storm watching at nearby Shore Acres State Park, home to a fully enclosed observation building, is among the most popular wintertime activities anywhere on the Oregon Coast — but the fun doesn’t end there. Coos Bay offers some of the state’s most productive clamming, and at low tide, you can try digging for these delicious bivalves just outside your trailer; Bay Point Landing provides loaner clamming gear (as well as crab pots) to help you get started. You’ll just need a license and a few tips from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

A large wave crashes onto a cliff
Storm watching at Shore Acres State Park (Photo by Manuela Durson)
The Camp

Warm Beds and Snowshoes in Bend

The Camp is unique for its location, situated within a large city. It sits on the site of Bend’s first-ever RV park, which opened in the 1950s on what was then the outskirts of a small community. These days, the resort sits just a five-minute drive or 20-minute walk from downtown and hosts six vintage trailers that sleep up to four. Period-appropriate wood paneling covers each trailer’s interior, while comfortable full-size beds and smart TVs add a touch of modern convenience.

Just west of Bend, Mt. Bachelor is the sixth-largest ski resort in North America — and undeniably the top outdoor attraction in the region. If you’d rather a different brand of wintry fun, swap your skis for snowshoes and join a U.S. Forest Service ranger for a free 90-minute guided snowshoe hike through the surrounding Deschutes National Forest. After a day outdoors, belly up to the bar along the Bend Ale Trail. Central Oregon’s celebrated breweries are no less productive in winter, but you’ll have plenty more space to stretch out during the less-crowded season.

A person skis down a mountain
Skiing at Mt. Bachelor

Airstream Glamping

Hart’s Camp
Pacific City

The Vintages Trailer Resort
Dayton

Bay Point Landing
Coos Bay

The Camp
Bend

About The
Author

Matt Wastradowski
Matt Wastradowski is a travel and outdoors writer living in Portland, Oregon. He’s written about the outdoors, craft beer, history, and more for the likes of Outside, the REI Co-op Journal, Willamette Week, 1859, and Northwest Travel & Life.

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