Camping

Camping offers easier access to Cannon Beach [1]’s natural wonders at a bargain price. Although camping is not permitted on the beach or in Cannon Beach city parks, there are plenty of options for RV, tent, and outdoor enthusiasts.

The Sea Ranch RV Park (415 Fir St., 503/436-2815, www.cannon-beach.net/searanch [2], $28 tent, $30–35 RV, $80–90 cabins) has grassy sites nestled among the trees, also home to horses, ducks, rabbits, and raccoons. It’s open year-round with both full and partial hookups for RVs; campsites include a picnic table and a fire ring (firewood is sold on the premises) and access to restrooms with hot showers—all just three blocks from the beach and downtown. Pets are welcome but must be on a leash. Reservations are recommended.

For a more pampered RV-only experience, check out the RV Resort at Cannon Beach (345 Elk Creek Rd., 503/436-2231 or 800/847-2231, www.cbrvresort.com [3], $32–44). Open year-round, the RV Resort has 100 full hookups, an indoor pool and spa, free cable TV, an on-site convenience store, a launderette, restrooms, and a meeting room.

Unlike most private campgrounds, the small family-run Wright’s for Camping (334 Reservoir Rd., 503/436-2347, www.wrightsforcamping.com [4], $20 and up) is geared toward tent campers. It’s just east of U.S. 101 and has 19 sites with picnic tables and fire rings as well as restrooms and a laundry. Wright’s is wheelchair accessible; leashed pets are allowed.

Roughly 20 miles east of Cannon Beach [1] off U.S. 26 is Saddle Mountain State Park [5] (800/551-6949, Mar.–Oct., $9 tent camping, no reservations accepted), which offers 10 tent camping sites at the base of 3,283-foot Saddle Mountain, one of the highest peaks in Oregon’s Coast Range. This more primitive and remote campground (although there are flush toilets and piped water, in addition to picnic tables and fire pits) might just be the tonic if you’re weary of the crowds along the beach.