The campgrounds at Beverly Beach State Park and South Beach State Park could well be the most popular places of their kind on the Oregon coast. Their proximity to Newport, the absence of other camping in the area, and the special features of each explain their appeal.

Beverly Beach State Park (541/265-9278 or 800/452-5687 information, 800/452-5687 or www.reserveamerica.com reservations, $18 tents, $22 RVs, $30 yurts, $4 hiker/biker) is huge multiloop campground set seven miles north of Newport on the east side of the highway in a mossy glade. A tunnel passes under the highway and leads to a long wide beach that is unfortunately directly bordered by the road. Devil’s Punchbowl and Otter Crest are one and two miles up the highway, respectively.

It’s just a hop over the sand dunes to the beach at South Beach State Park (541/867-4715 or 800/551-6949 information, 800/452-5687 or www.reserveamerica.com reservations, $22 tents or RVs, $30 yurts, $4 hiker/biker), located just south of the Yaquina Bay Bridge. The long beach has opportunities for fishing, agate hunting, windsurfing (for experts), horseback riding, and hiking. It has the full range of creature comforts, including a laundry.