The 400-Mile Oregon Coast Trail features amazing beachside campsites for thru-hikers…if you plan ahead! You have many Oregon Coast Trail camping options, but many of them are pay campsites, and those that aren’t are restricted by towns, parks, and snowy plovers.
I’ve thru-hiked the Oregon Coast Trail twice – once in 2017 and again in 2025. In 2017, I didn’t plan out where I would camp, which made the hike much more difficult. Then, in 2025, I created a spreadsheet to plan out every campsite and had a blast!
Save yourself the hours of looking over maps, trying to find campsites amongst all the restrictions, and follow my day-by-day camping guide.
In no time, you’ll be hiking on the beach, watching stunning sunsets over the Pacific Ocean, and listening to the waves as you fall asleep!
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Plan Your Oregon Coast Trail Campsites Around These Camping Restrictions
Normally, when I thru-hike, I plan based on how many miles I need to hike between town resupplies. Then, I divide that number by the rough mileage I want to hike per day.
That strategy does not work well for camping on the Oregon Coast Trail.
You can camp for free along the Oregon Coast Trail anywhere along the beach EXCEPT
- ¼ mile from a Town, State Park, State Wayside, or County Park.
- Not in designated Snowy Plover nesting areas between March 15 and September 15.
Between those restrictions, that leaves very little room for free beach camping.
It exists, but not always where you want it to, mileage-wise.
Thus, as much as it pains me as a go-with-the-flow thru-hiker…I planned out each night on trail. This took hours of scanning Far Out, Gaia, and reading motel reviews online.
The Verdict: I found it to be much less stressful to have the spreadsheet laid out ahead of time. The mileage varied drastically day by day, but it allowed for some chill days and some long days. However, it was never a struggle to find a place to camp each night. Instead, I only had to keep watch on the changing tides.
🚨 On the nights you beach camp for free, please practice Leave No Trace! Let’s keep it clean for everyone who loves the beach. You’ll likely pass a trash can at least every other day on the Oregon Coast Trail, so it should be easy.
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Oregon Coast Trail Camping for a 22-Day Thru-Hike
In 2025, Karma and I followed this route to finish the OCT in 22 hiking days. We did take 3 zeros because my left ankle swelled up from the consistent slope of the beach hiking southbound (but that’s another story).
You can follow this same outline and add zeros wherever necessary, as we did.
While I generally dislike paying for camping, the hiker/biker campsites at state parks are fairly affordable, mostly comfortable, and have a shower option. Now, they often have small lockers (BYO-lock) with USB-A plug-in capabilities. They cost $8 OR resident/$10 for Everyone else per person per night in 2025.
I also added in a few motels for the shower-with-a-towel possibility and laundry.
Here is the day-by-day Oregon Coast Trail Camping list that worked well (enough). Some days are a little short, so we took our time chilling on the beach. And…some days are a little long, so we jammed out to some tunes and crushed the miles.
*Miles may vary based on in-route alternate options and are all SOBO Far Out Miles.
Day 1: 19.5 Miles (SOBO Mile 0-19.5)
Fort Stevens State Park to Seaside Motel
We stayed two nights at the Sandy Cove Inn. With a ride to the beginning, we were able to slackpack ourselves for the first day this way.
Day 2: 15.5 Miles (SOBO Mile 19.5-35)
Seaside Motel to Beach Camping North of Hug Point
This spot is a loophole spot. According to Gaia GPS, it is 0.3 miles away from a state wayside and a town on either side. If you opt for this spot, come late and leave early just in case. If you don’t feel comfortable here or the tide is not in your favor, you can pre-arrange a bus pick up and drop off nearby on 101 back to Cannon Beach at Wrights Campground (paid).
**Be sure to check the tide before you camp here!!!
**Call the Garibaldi Marina to schedule a ferry across Tillamook Bay. They need 48 hours’ notice and a high tide. IMO, it’s worth the cost of the ferry to avoid a long roadwalk into and later out of Tillamook (big sprawl-y pavement).
Day 3: 18.5 Miles (SOBO Mile 35 – 53.5)
Free Beach Camping to Nehalem Bay State Park Hiker/Biker
The Hiker/Biker site is right next to the entrance booth and has USB-A charging capabilities in the lockers.
Day 4: 11.2 Miles (SOBO Mile 53.5 – 64.7)
Nehalem Bay State Park Hiker/Biker to Barview Jetty County Park Hiker/Biker
This is great for an early ferry ride from the Jetty Fishery across the Nehalem River. It also sets you up for a mid-morning ferry across Tillamook Bay from Garibaldi Marina. There is one hiker/biker site amongst the car campers (and facilities), while the rest are closer to the beach. The Marina also offers a camping option, but it’s primarily designed for RVs rather than tents.
If you’re feeling in need of a hotel, the Garibaldi Inn is geographically convenient.
Day 5: 33 Far Out Red Line Miles—26.8 via Far Out Blue Line Ferry (SOBO Mile 64.7 – 97.7)
Barview Jetty County Park Hiker/Biker to Cape Lookout State Park Hiker/Biker
Cape Lookout State Park Hiker/Biker is one of the best Oregon Coast Trail Camping spots. The Hiker/Biker campsites have ocean views, AND they are separate from the car campers. The shower is farther away, but a porta-potty is nearby with USB-A charging lockers and a water spigot.
Day 6: 22.8 Miles (SOBO Mile 97.7 – 120.5)
Cape Lookout State Park Hiker/Biker to Free Beach Camping General Area
There is a small area here that is far enough from all the restrictions.
Day 7: 14.5 Miles (120.5 – 135)
Free Beach Camping General Area to Motel 6 in Lincoln City
Decent Motel near Safeway and some restaurants. Lincoln City is a large town on the Oregon Coast and offers numerous amenities, including a cheap in-town bus. You can also camp two miles later at Devil’s Lake State Recreation Area Hiker/Biker.
This is a good spot for a zero if you need it, although I prefer Newport and placed a nero there.
Day 8: 22.6 Miles (135 – 157.6)
Motel 6 in Lincoln City to Beverly Beach State Park Hiker/Biker
This park is tucked in from the beach, but has easy beach access.
Day 9: 5.4 Miles (157.6 – 163)
Beverly Beach State Park Hiker/Biker to Travelodge Newport
Personally, I like to spend extra time in Newport over Lincoln City and would zero here. We hit a wind storm here, as you can see from the wild sand flying in the photo above. There are several hotel options, but the Travelodge is closest to the grocery stores. There is a Fred Meyer, a Safeway, and a Walmart all on the north end of town. There is also a convenient, inexpensive local bus to get around town.
Day 10: 23 Miles (163 – 186)
Travelodge Newport to Beachside State Recreation Site Hiker/Biker
This stretch doesn’t have many Oregon Coast Trail camping options due to its proximity to towns.
Day 11: 19.7 Miles (186 – 205.7)
Beachside State Recreation Site Hiker/Biker to Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park Hiker/Biker
Yachats is a great coastal town to spend a little time. The end of the day is also a 6-mile road walk.
Day 12: 17.4 Miles (205.7 – 223.1)
Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park Hiker/Biker to Lighthouse Inn Florence
The Lighthouse Inn is adorable, located in the heart of downtown, just 0.4 miles from Safeway, and they include a LEGIT breakfast (not much vegan, but for a hiker that eats everything…very cool).
Day 13: 15.8 Miles (223.1 – 238.9)
Lighthouse Inn Florence – Free Dispersed Dunes Camping
This shorter day allows you to enjoy breakfast at the Lighthouse Inn fully. If you take this side trail, you’ll also have lake water access. We found good campsites in the trees.
Day 14: 17.1 Miles (238.9 – 256)
Free Dispersed Dunes Camping to Free Dispersed Dunes Camping
There is an area of free camping on the Oregon Coast Trail here that starts when you enter the beach until it’s restricted for Snowy Plover Nesting. It is located near the ATV trails, so it’s not necessarily quiet. There are two big ATV event weeks, so be sure to check online when those are each year.
Day 15: 20.7 Miles (256 – 276.7)
Free Dispersed Dunes Camping to Quality Inn North Bend
A motel night made the most sense here, given the urban walking south of North Bend. We opted for the Quality Inn because it’s located right next to Safeway and a Laundromat. (Beware of the cheap motel laundry machines; we had trouble with the washers.)
Day 16: 22.1 Miles (276.7 – 298.8)
Quality Inn North Bend to Free Beach Camping
There is a stretch of beach that is restriction-free after a long day on Seven Devils Rd.
Day 17: 20.3 Miles (298.8 – 319.1)
Free Beach Camping – Free Primitive BLM Campsite
There are a lot of Snowy Plover restrictions in this area. Knowing that, the BLM created an established, but primitive, designated camping area. It even has a trail logbook to see who has stayed there in the past. There is no fresh water there, so load up somewhere in Bandon.
Day 18: 24.4 Miles (319.1 – 343.5)
Free Primitive BLM Campsite – Humbug Mountain State Park Hiker/Biker
While this State Park is right next to the highway, the hiker/biker camping is nicely separated from the car campers on a hillside near the entrance booth. The overnight 101 noise died down enough to sleep ok.
Day 19: 24.6 Miles (343.5 – 368.1)
Humbug Mountain State Park Hiker/Biker – Motel 6 Gold Beach
By this point, laundry is helpful, and Motel 6 had its own. Please note that it’s located at the very north end of town, with only restaurants nearby. Both grocery stores in Gold Beach are a little over a mile south.
**South of Gold Beach gets complicated! There is only one area about 4 miles south of here that allows camping until Brookings!!! While you can stealth camp, your best option would be to stay two nights in Gold Beach Motel 6 or two nights at the Hiker/Biker Campsite at Harris Beach State Park. (If you want to slack pack, I recommend the Motel 6 for two nights because the State Park isn’t very secure to leave extra gear.)
Call Curry County Public Transit at 541-412-8806. I suggest asking for a pickup anywhere around Arch Rock Picnic Area. You’ll then schedule a drop-off the next morning to pick back up where you left off. Curry County Public Transit Website
Day 20: Suggested 21.4 Miles (368.1 – 389.5)
Motel 6 Gold Beach – Bus Pickup from Suggested Area
Please see my notes on day 19 and call the bus to ensure they can pick you up/drop you off in a good location.
Day 21: Suggested 14.8 Miles (389.5 –404.3)
Bus Drop-Off from Suggested Area – Harris Beach State Park Hiker/Biker
This state park allows you to pay for two nights per week. This is the budget solution to the camping restrictions north of here.
Day 22: 8.8 Miles (404.3 – 413.1)
Harris Beach State Park Hiker/Biker – OR/CA Border FINISH!
This is an easy stretch to the finish. If you can time your last few miles with a low tide, it will get you off the road faster.
Best Oregon Coast Trail Campsites for Hikers/Bikers
After thru-hiking the Oregon Coast Trail twice, I have two favorite State Park Hiker/Biker campsites.
There are so many good Oregon Coast Trail camping options, but a lot of them are paid sites. As a thru-hiker, this frustrated me. However, once I got beyond that mental block, I had a great time.
IMO, the best OCT Hiker/Biker Camping was at Cape Lookout State Park.
Why? Because the campsites had ocean views, were located away from the car campers, had an easy water spigot, USB-A charging in lockers, and a nearby bathroom option.
The second best was the Nehalem Bay State Park Hiker/Biker area.
While it wasn’t right on the beach, it had a nice woodsy vibe, separate from the car campers, easy USB-A charging, a spigot, and flat tent pads (not wooden).
Final Thoughts
The Oregon Coast Trail is different than many other U.S. thru-hikes. It’s not backcountry hiking, but it’s not quite a Camino either.
I’ve found that fostering a mindset that mixes the cultural walk of a Camino with actual camping helps me have more fun on the hike. I think about paying for an albergue every night, and then I am happy when a hiker/biker campsite costs less than that.
When looking at your Oregon Coast Trail camping options, be open to the hiker/biker campsites. Then, when you find a free beach camping area without restrictions, it’s really fun!
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