Intrepid RVers know that October is a great time to camp in Oregon—the rains aren’t too bad yet, the best RV parks are no longer full so you can snag those prime locations you like best, the trees are just starting to display their autumn colors and, of course, there are all kinds of fun activities in our state when we get closer to Halloween. So pack up the trailer or the fifth wheel, hop in the motorhome for another road trip, and hit the highway for an October adventure. We’ve got some tips to help you create the perfect autumn mini-vacation.
See Oregon’s Autumn Colors
When people think of the fiery reds, oranges and golds of autumn trees, they think of New England, not of Oregon with our stunning evergreen forests. But Oregonians know that mid-October is the time to drive the McKenzie Highway, to hike the trails at Cape Perpetua, to stroll through Portland’s Mt. Tabor park, or to enjoy a day in the Columbia River Gorge area. We might not have the weeks on end of autumn color that they enjoy in Vermont, but until the winter rains start, the brilliance of Oregon’s deciduous trees is unparalleled. Follow the Oregon Fall Foliage blog, which will give you weekly updates on where the colors are at their finest.
A perfect place to appreciate the fall foliage in Lane County is the McKenzie River Trail. Even when it’s gray and misty outside, this trail will raise your spirits as you hike beneath a canopy of stunningly colored Big Leaf Maples, Vine Maples and other broad leaf trees. And as you travel up the McKenzie Highway, you’ll find farm stands to purchase the best autumn fruits and vegetables to cook up when your day is done. There are some excellent RV campgrounds all along the McKenzie Corridor as well, so it’s a perfect opportunity to take an autumn road trip and soak in the beauty of a fall day in our lovely state. And you’re not far from Junction City on this trip, so you can easily stop by our RV Travel Center to pick up anything you need for your RV.
If you’re looking for fall color on the coast, head for the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area in the Siuslaw National Forest. Not only will you see some beautiful foliage, but you can also spend time exploring the tidepools, ocean churns and spouting horns. The campgrounds in the Siuslaw National Forest often don’t have hookups and none have dump stations, so plan ahead for some dry camping, but there are some beautiful RV spots here. And if you’re heading north up the coast, check out the Tillamook Forest Center’s program and event calendar to see what’s happening in the Tillamook State Forest.
Have Some Halloween Fun
Halloween is a fun family holiday and a perfect excuse to load up the kids or the grandkids and take a spooky camping trip. First and foremost, think “Corn Maze.” The Maze is the world’s largest cornfield maze consulting and design company and they have worked with Oregon farmers to create three of their amazing corn mazes right here in our home state. Plan a trip north to Sauvie Island, where you can camp at the Sauvie Island Cove RV Park and spend a couple of days appreciating this lovely island culture with its pumpkin patch and haunted corn maze at the Original Corn Maze. Or take the family east to Central Oregon and visit the corn maze at Smith Rock Ranch where you take in the amazing view of Smith Rock and the Cascades, and visit the Animal House for some sweet time with the critters before you plunge into the corn. Check out Camping Road Trip to find the perfect campground near Terrebonne, although if you don’t mind driving a bit, Crooked River Ranch is always a good bet. And of course we have our own Maze right here in Lane County at Lone Pine Farm on River Road, conveniently located just a few miles from Guaranty RV. This one is a load of fun, with a Pumpkin Patch Express, the Barnyard Cafe and Draft Horse Hayrides, as well as a petting barn and playground. For camping, Deerwood RV Park is conveniently located and also Armitage Park isn’t too far away.
If it’s a haunted house experience you’re after, head to North Bend, Oregon for the Little Theater On The Bay (LTOB) Haunted House. Using costumes from their own costume room, these community actors bring in special lighting and sound effects, as well as some mazes that will spin your head around. This is a “scarily realistic” haunted house, so it’s probably not a good bet for very young children, but everyone else will remember this Halloween experience as one of the best. The theater opens at 7:00 each night, starting on October 24th and going through Halloween. There are a number of good RV camping options in and around North Bend.
October in Oregon is one of the best times of year. Come visit us to see the fall color or to enjoy some fun in the corn mazes and haunted houses. And be sure to stop by Junction City to visit us at Guaranty RV on your way through. We look forward to seeing you.
Photo: Alex Elfon
