Your Ultimate Guide to Exploring Oregon by Campervan

Choosing and Running a Campervan

Oregon is hard to pin down. You can stare at the Milky Way from the high desert one night and be eating clam chowder in thick fog by lunchtime. Alternatively, be on top of a volcano the morning after sampling America’s best craft beers.

Covered in mountains, valleys, deserts, and forests, Oregon is all about enjoying the outdoors and refueling afterward, making it perfect for exploring by campervan or RV. My partner and I embarked on a long-planned campervan road trip in September through the stunning Cascade Range, out to the deserts, and back down the coastal Highway 101. Here’s what we learned along the way.

Exploring Beyond the Pacific Coast

Driving on Highway 101 means covering about 400 miles while passing dramatic capes and rivers with the Pacific Ocean on one side and the lush forested mountains on the other. One of the highlights is the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor in the south. Inland, however, is the Willamette Valley with its vineyards, but what primarily defined our adventure was the iconic Cascade Range, filled with snow-capped peaks in a vast volcanic landscape.

Traveling further east led us to the Columbia Plateau, a high desert region whose star attraction is the Painted Hills, a magnificent hillside of red, yellow, and gold stripes — the remains of ancient volcanic ash deposits. We planned our visit specifically for golden hour, and it was indeed worth it.

Where to Stay

Since we were in a self-contained campervan and on a tight schedule, we required simple campgrounds that could be booked ahead of time, preferably set in beautiful natural surroundings. Oregon’s state parks offered excellent options, including Cape Lookout State Park and Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park along the coast. We appreciated features such as campfire rings, privacy, and stunning views. We reserved them months in advance for just an $8 reservation fee.

In the remote Painted Hills region, we discovered the Priest Hole Recreation Site a few miles north on the John Day River, which, although primitive, offered absolute isolation and breathtaking dark skies.

We couldn’t resist the allure of Bend and its renowned brewpubs. Our stay at The Camp, a boutique RV resort with a communal fire pit, was delightful. It is conveniently located within walking distance of downtown Bend and the Bend Brewing Company’s stunning beer garden.

Visiting Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake, located in the caldera of an ancient volcano, is the deepest lake in the U.S. and a significant draw for visitors to Oregon. Our visit was marred by clouds and rain, which limited photo opportunities along the 33-mile Rim Drive; nonetheless, we thoroughly enjoyed the one-hour round-trip hike up the Watchman Peak Trail for fantastic views of the lake’s Wizard Island. The Mazama Campground’s Annie Creek Restaurant served a delicious takeout pizza, which was a treat. As we departed, we were lucky to experience a clear morning.

If you’re looking for an excuse to visit Crater Lake National Park, a rare “Ring of Fire” solar eclipse will be visible in the area on Oct. 14, 2023, but early planning is essential.

Hiking, Kayaking, and Horseback Riding

To break up the long drives, we engaged in various activities such as horseback riding on the beach from Bandon Beach Riding Stables, hiking the coastal Neah-Kah-Nie Mountain Trail, and ascending Misery Ridge at Smith Rock State Park, offering views of the Cascade Range. We also kayaked on Paulina Lake with Wanderlust Tours and drove up Lava Butte, a cinder cone off Highway 97. Spotting wild Roosevelt elk at Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area was a highlight, and in Depoe Bay, we were fortunate to see three huge gray whales just offshore.

Where to Find Oregon’s Best Seafood

Fresh seafood was a major reason we ventured to Oregon’s Pacific coast. There is an abundance of restaurants, cafes, and kiosks where you can savor local salmon, much of which comes straight from the Columbia River. We began with a fish basket from Tom’s Fish & Chips in Cannon Beach while enjoying one of the best beaches in Oregon and its stunning Haystack Rock. Our favorite experience was at Gracie’s Sea Hag in Depoe Bay, where we sampled Oregon Dungeness crab, tender scallops, and Yaquina Bay oysters. The culinary highlight, however, was purchasing fresh coho salmon filets from the Old Oregon Smokehouse near the renowned Tillamook cheese factory to grill over an open flame back at camp.

Over 14 days and 10 campgrounds, we traveled 2,000 miles, experiencing diverse weather conditions from sunshine to fog and rain. Did we see everything Oregon has to offer? Absolutely not, but with Crater Lake, the Painted Hills, and the Pacific coast anchoring our itinerary, we truly enjoyed a journey filled with hiking, paddling, and delectable dining. Our only souvenirs are vivid memories and a collection of gas receipts—plus a newfound love for clam chowder.