Where to camp between Salem, OR and San Francisco, CA?

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CommitmentDevice
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Where to camp between Salem, OR and San Francisco, CA?

Post by CommitmentDevice »

We're driving a camper down the West Coast this winter.
We're looking to add an overnight stop somewhere in-between Salem, OR and San Francisco, CA.
Any recommendations?
Camping or family friendly adventuring preferred.
Thanks!
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cartophile
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Re: Where to camp between Salem, OR and San Francisco, CA?

Post by cartophile »

I still have fond memories from the late '70s of camping in a redwood forest along the California coast -- I *think* it was Jedediah Smith state park. Huge redwood trees had grown back among the humongous stumps of the older trees that had been harvested in an earlier era. The only drawback is that diverting to the coast adds about 90 minutes of scenic driving time vs. zipping down interstate 5.
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Beensabu
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Re: Where to camp between Salem, OR and San Francisco, CA?

Post by Beensabu »

Mt. Shasta?
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Re: Where to camp between Salem, OR and San Francisco, CA?

Post by mkc »

Ask here (the main forum is a great resource for RVers)

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f38/
JackE
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Re: Where to camp between Salem, OR and San Francisco, CA?

Post by JackE »

We enjoyed the KOA outside of Crescent City, right next to Jedediah park.
https://koa.com/campgrounds/crescent-city/
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Re: Where to camp between Salem, OR and San Francisco, CA?

Post by JakeyLee »

Op,
If you’re traveling down the 101 (not interstate 5), then stop in Humboldt county.. and camp in redwoods next to the Pacific Ocean.. and rivers/streams .
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Ray_McKigney
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Re: Where to camp between Salem, OR and San Francisco, CA?

Post by Ray_McKigney »

In addition to Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park near Crescent City, there's Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park further south. There you can camp near Elk Meadow or on the beach at Gold Bluffs. Fern Canyon is a must if you go.
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RudyS
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Re: Where to camp between Salem, OR and San Francisco, CA?

Post by RudyS »

The redwoods are a must. Especially Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park and anywhere nearby. Our visit was a few years ago so I'll leave detailed camping info for others.
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snackdog
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Re: Where to camp between Salem, OR and San Francisco, CA?

Post by snackdog »

A lot depends on your route. I-5 is the fastest and least scenic. The coast is slower but beautiful. We prefer the coast. The camping gets better the farther south you go, depending on your preferences. Gualala State Campground isn't bad.
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David Jay
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Re: Where to camp between Salem, OR and San Francisco, CA?

Post by David Jay »

Anything between Crescent City and Grants Pass, Oregon. We stayed in Grants Pass and drove down to Redwoods and Crescent City.

Also, Crater Lake is a day trip from that area.
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SevenBridgesRoad
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Re: Where to camp between Salem, OR and San Francisco, CA?

Post by SevenBridgesRoad »

In case you're not aware, in the Oregon winter be sure to pay attention to the weather. Every route south, west or east from the Willamette Valley (Salem) goes through a mountain pass. ODOT TripCheck is a good site to confirm safe conditions.
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Re: Where to camp between Salem, OR and San Francisco, CA?

Post by bhtomj »

We make the trip to Oregon often to see relatives and usually stay in Lincoln City at the KOA or other parks, but that's in Salem's backyard.
To avoid mountain passes, travel on U.S. 101 South. Its a scenic drive and in good condition for RVs, especially in OR. Lots of places to stop.

Bandon KOA was nice and quiet. Crescent City KOA is nice. Not endorsing KOA, but there are so many of them on our route. :happy

As mentioned, a side trip to Crater Lake is worth it.
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CommitmentDevice
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Re: Where to camp between Salem, OR and San Francisco, CA?

Post by CommitmentDevice »

Amazing - thanks for the great advice, everyone!
mrb09
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Re: Where to camp between Salem, OR and San Francisco, CA?

Post by mrb09 »

I think other folks have mentioned this, but you really need to watch the weather conditions between Mt Ashland and Mt Shasta if you're taking 5. It's an interstate, but it has a lot of curves and elevation changes, and you can get quite a bit of snow. I've done it in a U-Haul in storm conditions and it was less than pleasant, and it can get closed alltgether.

If you take the coast route, either straight down from Salem->Albany->Newport, or turning towards the coast in Grants Pass, then snow shouldn't be much of an issue (although possibly between Eugene and Grants Pass), but that's a much longer (and much prettier) route than taking 5 through California.

Camping-wise, I've stayed at the Manchester Beach KOA a few times (although not recently), and (as another poster mentioned), Jedediah Smith.

Crater Lake is awesome, but it won't be reachable in winter, they don't plow until late Spring.
Last edited by mrb09 on Thu Oct 06, 2022 12:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
jnevada
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Re: Where to camp between Salem, OR and San Francisco, CA?

Post by jnevada »

Fort Bragg. Patrick's point. Bodega bay. All are nice family friendly areas.
jnevada
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Re: Where to camp between Salem, OR and San Francisco, CA?

Post by jnevada »

Fort Bragg. Patrick's point. Bodega bay. All are nice family friendly areas.
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