Beach camping near Rockaway Beach with horseback riding

Just south of Nehalem Bay State Park, Rockaway Beach has been a popular Seaside resort town for over a century—a train even linked the city to Portland in the early 20th century. Rockaway continues to attract weekending Portlanders and out-of-state visitors, owing to its expansive stretches of sand and easy access to Oregon Coast attractions such as the Cape Meares Lighthouse and the Tillamook Creamery. The town also offers amenities for those passing through and campers stocking up on supplies, with a mix of boutiques, restaurants, and supermarkets.

Tillamook State Forest

Just inland from Rockaway Beach, the Tillamook State Forest offers lots of opportunities for Coastal Range recreation, with plenty of hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails plus around 250 miles of off-highway  vehicle (OHV) trails. There are also tons of spots to camp, including designated campgrounds for OHV users.

Oregon's North Coast

Rockaway is a good jumping-off point for visiting the rest of the North Coast. Popular spots include Manzanita, Cannon Beach (and the adjacent Ecola State Park), Seaside, and Astoria.

Oregon’s Central Coast

A bit further south along Highway 101, the Central Coast offers a mix of charming cities, rugged coastline, historic lighthouses, and the Oregon Coast Aquarium. There are also a ton of spots to camp here, and some of the area campgrounds are right on the beach.

July and August are the best months to visit Rockaway Beach and the surrounding area, owing to generally warm weather and low risk of rain. However, this time of year is also high season for camping, so it’s wise to reserve well in advance if you want to secure a campsite, particularly if you’re coming on a weekend. If you don’t mind rain and cooler temperatures, consider coming during one of the Oregon Coast’s two whale-watching seasons (roughly mid-December through mid-January and March through May).