There’s just enough summer left to take one more camping trip in your RV, so pack up the trailer or the camper, load up the motorhome, get those ATVs into the toy hauler and take advantage of these last warm days before the fall rains come. What is that you say? You don’t have reservations and the state parks are all booked up through Labor Day weekend? Don’t despair yet! Often, you can get last minute reservations at Oregon’s county parks, and sometimes because people have cancelled vacations, you can get prime spots for that last end-of-summer hurrah. And don’t forget to stock up on last minute supplies and parts at the Guaranty RV Travel Center if you’re passing through Eugene or Junction City.
Lane County RV Parks
Here in Lane County we have the best of all worlds when it comes to RV camping and road trips. Whether you’re looking for a weekend at the beach or a few days in the mountains, there is a Lane County park to give you exactly what you’re looking for. Lane County is 4,620 square miles on the western border of Oregon, about halfway down the coast, and includes parks as far east as the Cascades. In between the Pacific and the big mountains, you can explore camping spots in the subtropical rainforests of the Coast Range, and in the wine country and riverways of the Willamette Valley. Our county parks are close to rural solitude, beachtown shopping, or metropolitan areas like Eugene-Springfield; the choice is yours.
Linn County RV Parks
Linn County is in the heart of the Willamette Valley, with the Willamette river at its western border and the Cascades marking its eastern edge. Linn County parks give you a wide variety of RV camping options that will get you close to fertile rolling farmland, crystal clear rivers and lakes, or the big timber of the Willamette National Forest. So whether your family is looking for the perfect swimming hole for that last summer swim, or you want to bring your boat for some time on the lake, or hike to a waterfall, or spend the day visiting local covered bridges and small town farmers’ markets, Linn County is the place to be.
Clackamas County RV Parks
If you’d like to get a little urban adventuring in on your last camping trip of the season, visit one of the Clackamas County parks. Many of these are close enough to Portland to spend a day in the city and retire back to your RV in the peace and quiet of your campsite. If your kids are ready for a trip to OMSI or the Portland Children’s Museum then Clackamas County parks are where you want to camp. Because of the proximity to the city, these campgrounds do tend to fill up on weekends, but the Clackamas County parks website does a nice job of keeping tabs on camping availability throughout the county and lists where there are openings, so you can get those last minute spots.
Tillamook County RV Parks
Tillamook County is a great place to look for an end of summer campsite because they have over 500 of them, so there’s generally a spot even if you’ve made last minute plans. The options in the Tillamook County Parks range from oceanfront camping to campsites by the river in the woods. You can expect to see some of the most beautiful scenery in the state in Tillamook County, and if you’d like to include some small town charm and perhaps a little beachside shopping into your trip, a number of the parks are conveniently located for just those activities. Be sure and visit the Tillamook Cheese Factory while you’re there.
Coos County RV Parks
Coos County is located on the southern Oregon Coast and stretches from Tenmile Lake to the coastal town of Bandon. Although the county is 1,600 square miles, you can reach the Pacific within minutes from almost anywhere inside its borders; it’s a beach lover’s dream. Coos County Parks are situated along the ocean, as well as in the nearby forests, with easy access to fishing spots, beachcombing, cranberry bogs and historical tours. If you are a golfer, be sure to check out the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, and if you love fresh seafood, Coos County is going to make you very happy.
While you’re RVing through western Oregon on that last summer trip of 2014, be sure and visit us here in Junction City. Whether you need service on your RV or you need to get some laundry done and let the kids burn off some energy, our 10,000 square foot Travel Center has everything to make your vacation perfect. Give us a call if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you.
Photo: Thomas Shahan
