Turn your outings into overnight adventures with these top trips.
Up and down the Oregon Coast, quiet lakes and slow-moving rivers open up a world of adventure to paddlers of all stripes. You never know when you might see Roosevelt Elk grazing on the shore near Tillamook, ospreys hunting for fish in Lincoln City or the occasional black bear trundling through old-growth forests along the Rogue River.
When a day trip isn’t enough — when is it ever? — you’ll be glad to pitch your tent near the day’s destination. Here’s a guide to paddling along the Oregon Coast, along with nearby campgrounds to plan a memorable getaway this summer.
Head Through a Variety of Landscapes on the Nehalem River
Sydney Elliott, manager at year-round outfitter Kayak Tillamook, loves how Nehalem Bay and the Nehalem River, just south of Manzanita, showcase the natural diversity of the northern Oregon Coast. Paddlers enjoy up-close views of three disparate waterways: the bay itself, a marsh-like estuary and the river channel. “You have this very diverse kind of ecosystem that you get to experience,” she says.
Wildlife is another draw for Elliott. On any given tour, paddlers might spy harbor seals and river otters frolicking in the bay, herds of Roosevelt elk along the shoreline, and several species of bird — including herons, egrets and bald eagles — soaring above it all.
Nearby, Kelly’s Brighton Marina sits on the shores of Nehalem Bay and hosts a mix of tent sites, partial-hookup RV sites and cozy, heated waterfront cabins. For added fun, campers at Kelly’s can try their hand at catching local crab from a dock or one of the marina’s boats. Crabbing fees include necessary equipment, instruction and cooking afterward. (Note that Nehalem Bay State Park, which has camping and a boat dock that offers easy access to Nehalem Bay, is closed through July 2025 for renovations. See the park’s website for updates.)
See Local Wildlife at Cape Meares Lake
Tucked away from popular stops along the Three Capes Scenic Loop outside Tillamook, Cape Meares Lake provides beginner-friendly calm waters, as well as prolific wildlife-watching opportunities at the southernmost point of Bayocean Spit. After putting in near a small parking area at the lake’s southern shore, Elliott says paddlers might see two active beaver lodges, a resident elk herd and — during fall migration — hundreds of birds. “It’s always like this wildlife extravaganza,” she says. “It’s not on the highway, so the wildlife just shows up.”
Elliott recommends pitching your tent at Cape Lookout State Park, which sits about 13 miles south of the lake. The campground hosts more than 200 tent and RV sites, more than a dozen yurts and six cabins on a sand spit between Netarts Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
Escape the City at Devils Lake
Two parks surround Devils Lake in the heart of Lincoln City, both comprising Devil’s Lake State Recreation Area. On the eastern shore, paddlers can access the nearly 700-acre body of water. The lake is largely protected from wind by a forest of fir, spruce and pine, making it a suitable spot for novices to improve their skills while watching for native ospreys and bald eagles that nest nearby.
Rent your craft from Safari Town Surf Shop, which offers roof racks and deliveries for an additional fee. The outfitter also leads guided, family-friendly kayak tours of the lake.
On the west side of the lake, the park’s campground hosts nearly 90 tent and RV sites, as well as 10 yurts — five of which are pet-friendly. It’s open for the season from May to November.
Check Out Forested Landscapes Along the Rogue River
Stretches of Southern Oregon’s Rogue River are defined by thrilling whitewater, but the channel calms considerably as it empties into the Pacific Ocean at Gold Beach. Here you’ll paddle in the shadow of steep ridgelines, narrow canyons and old-growth forests. Keep an eye out for several species of bird, deer and even black bears. If you don’t have equipment or would rather someone else show the way, South Coast Tours leads outings along the Rogue River in late spring and summer.
Quosatana Campground provides an idyllic base camp along the Rogue River about 14 miles inland from Gold Beach. There you can choose from among more than 40 tent and RV sites — all available on a first-come, first-served basis — and will have access to drinking water, flush toilets and a boat launch into the channel.
– By Matt Wastradowski
Top photo: By Erik Urdahl