Cannon Beach Camping: Where to Stay in Your Campervan or Tent

Cannon Beach is one of the most beautiful places to camp on the Oregon Coast. If you’re on a road trip down the coast, these Cannon Beach campsites are the perfect spots to pitch your tent for the night. Use this guide to Cannon Beach camping to discover the best places to camp on or near the beach on the Oregon Coast.

Haystack Rock sunset on Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach is one of the most famous destinations on the Oregon Coast and one of the most picturesque out of all the coastal towns in Oregon. It’s filled with amazing things to do, both nearby and right downtown. 

Whether you like watching the sunset behind the iconic Haystack Rock or exploring many of the scenic hiking trails in the area. It’s the perfect place for an adventurous trip in Oregon.

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When can you go camping in Cannon Beach Oregon?

The weather on the Oregon Coast stays mild all year, so you can camp on Cannon Beach year round. The best time to go camping near Cannon Beach depends on your travel style and preferences since each season offers something different and unique. 

The summertime is one of the most popular times for Cannon Beach camping. During these months, precipitation is low and the weather stays around the high 60s. This time of year can get VERY busy. You must plan in advance, and we’d advise avoiding holidays and weekends,  but this is a beautiful time of year for camping.

From our experience, September is one of the perfect times to go camping because the weather is still favorable, but the crowds are fewer.

Winter and spring are two of the quieter seasons for Cannon Beach since November through April have the most precipitation and the weather rarely drops below 40-degrees. 

With cooler temperatures, winter may seem like a bad time to go camping near Cannon Beach, but you’d be surprised. This is actually a nice time to visit this coastal town. With the right clothing, you’ll be able to experience an abundance of wildlife, fewer crowds, and more intense waves on the shores. 

Tips for camping near Cannon Beach Oregon

Cannon Beach camping Oregon

Before going camping near Cannon Beach, keep these tips in mind as you plan your trip.

1. Leave No Trace 

One of the most important tips for Cannon Beach camping is to practice the 7 principles of Leave No Trace. Since this coastal town is a popular road trip destination, it’s important to minimize your impact on this stunning beach. 

Psst! Be sure to read up on these tips for eco camping to make sure you’re being environmentally conscious on your outdoor adventure.

2. Practice fire safety 

One of the best ways to enjoy Cannon Beach is by building a fire and watching the sunset. In order to minimize campfire impacts and protect the environment, keep your fire at least 50-feet away from seagrass, attend the fire at all times and avoid burning driftwood. 

Once you’re done, pour water over the flames until all the red embers have completely extinguished.

3. Pack plenty of layers 

Even in the summer months, the coast can get chilly next to the ocean, especially once the sun goes down. Dress in layers to avoid an unexpected chill when temperatures change throughout the day. 

4. Arrive early 

In the town of Cannon Beach, parking fills up FAST and places get crowded quickly. It’s best to arrive wherever you plan to go as early as possible or have some patience, especially during the peak summer months.

5. Understand the marine layer 

A marine layer is a thick cloud of fog that hangs over the coast due to temperature changes in the air. This naturally occurring weather phenomenon is common on the Oregon Coast and can  turn a sunny day into a cloudy one without warning. 

Depending on the day, this may stick around all day or go away once it burns off. 

6. Use The Dyrt app to compare and book campsites

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With the largest database of campgrounds (44,000+ campsites and counting!) and over 1 million user-submitted reviews, this is our favorite app for finding and comparing campsites. 

Plus, it’s super user-friendly, and has some pretty cool features, like outdoor gear contests and forums to connect and seek advice from fellow campers, that you won’t find on any other camping app.

…And, of course, we have a special deal for you!

Try their Pro Membership for FREE for 30 days and gain access to the offline version of the app, utilize their trip planning feature AND get exclusive discounts on campsites and gear!

Psst! Are you new to camping and want to make sure you’re not missing anything? Check out our beginners guide to car camping.

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Best Cannon Beach Campsites

Since camping directly on Cannon Beach is prohibited, you’ll need to find an established campsite to pitch your tent or park your campervan at. These Cannon Beach campsites are close enough to the coast to where you won’t mind basing yourself for your visit to this seaside town.

1. Wright’s For Camping

Wrights Camping Cannon Beach
Image by Wright’s for Camping
  • Location: Just off Highway 101 in Cannon Beach
  • Type of campground: tent camping
  • Facilities: picnic tables, fire rings, showers, flush toilets, and laundry
  • Cost: tent sites starting at $45/night, prices vary by season.
  • Best thing about this campsite: family-run and walking distance from Cannon Beach

Wright’s for Camping is one of the best Cannon Beach campsites because it’s right in town, just across the street from the famous Haystack Rock. It’s perfect if you want to be close to everything Cannon Beach has to offer. 

This campsite is situated in a forest so you can get the feeling of solitude while being close to all the action!

This is the perfect Cannon Beach campsite if you’re tent camping with a loved one, your pup, or your family. With only 22 tent sites, this campground fills up fast, so make sure you reserve your spot in advance!

2. Sea Ranch RV Park

Sea Ranch Cannon Beach Camping
Image by Sea Ranch RV Park
  • Location: Just off Highway 101 in Cannon Beach
  • Type of campground: RV sites, tent sites, and cabins
  • Facilities: picnic tables, fire rings, showers, flush toilets, wifi, sauna, and laundry
  • Cost: tent sites starting at $55/night, RV sites starting at $88/night
  • Best thing about this campsite: There is a variety of wildlife onsite

Sea Ranch RV Park is an ideal spot for Cannon Beach camping since it’s only 2-miles from downtown and offers quiet sites among old-growth forests. It’s perfect if you want to be close to all the best things to do in Cannon Beach while still getting the experience of a traditional camping trip.

This campsite is ideal for anyone that is looking for a central place to stay for their trip to Cannon Beach. Since Sea Ranch RV Park offers a wide variety of options for stays, it is perfect for couples and families.

3. Circle Creek RV Resort

Circle Creek Cannon Beach Campsite
Image by Circle Creek RV Resort
  • Location: Just off Highway 101 in Seaside
  • Type of campground: RV sites
  • Facilities: full RV hook-ups, restrooms, laundry, picnic tables, fire rings, and wifi
  • Cost: RV sites starting at $70/night
  • Best thing about this campsite: Access to some of the best hikes in Oregon found in Ecola State Park

Circle Creek RV Resort is an excellent place to go camping near Cannon Beach since it’s just north of town in Seaside. Ecola State Park is a short drive away with tons of beautiful hiking trails, beaches, and coastal viewpoints. 

This campsite is perfect for outdoorsy folks that want to enjoy nature.

Circle Creek also makes an excellent place for couples and families to stay the night while passing through on an Oregon Coast roadtrip, or as a backup plan for when accommodation in Cannon Beach proper is fully booked. 

4. RV Resort at Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach Resort
Image by RV Resort at Cannon Beach
  • Location: Just off Highway 101 in Cannon Beach
  • Type of campground: RV Resort with full-hookups
  • Facilities: picnic tables, fire pits, indoor pool, gaming room, convenience store, and full service restrooms
  • Cost: RV sites starting at $64/night, prices vary by season
  • Best thing about this campsite: Sidewalk access directly to Cannon Beach

The RV Resort at Cannon Beach is in a prime location just off the 101 and is one of the best Cannon Beach campsites if you want a wide variety of amenities with your stay. 

From the grounds, there is sidewalk access directly to the beach and downtown. Perfect for those that want the convenience of walking around the area to explore Cannon Beach. 

This is a great option for Cannon Beach camping if you’re traveling with a family or pup and want to be close to all the best restaurants and shops in town. 

5. Seaside RV Resort

Seaside RV Park
Image by Seaside RV Resort
  • Location: Just off Highway 101 in Seaside
  • Type of campground: RV Resort with tent sites, cottages, and cabins
  • Facilities: picnic tables, fire pits, laundry, indoor swimming pool, volleyball, tennis courts, hiking trails, wifi, and restrooms
  • Cost: tent sites starting at $65/night, RV sites starting at $67/night; prices vary by season 
  • Best thing about this campsite: Access to hiking trails in Ecola State Park

The Seaside RV Resort is located just north of Cannon Beach and is only 10-miles away from the scenic Ecola State Park. This is a great place to base yourself if you want to enjoy more than just the beach and visit historic sites nearby.

This is one of the best places to go camping near Cannon Beach for families and couples since it offers so many different activities: volleyball, hiking, biking, whale-watching, and is close to many historical sites.

6. Nehalem Bay State Park

Nehalem Bay Campsite
Image by Oregon State Parks
  • Location: About 16 miles south of Cannon Beach 
  • Type of campground: Oregon State Park Campground with RV sites, tent sites, and yurts
  • Facilities: flush toilets, showers, picnic tables, hiking trails, and beach access
  • Cost: tent sites starting at $3/night, RV sites starting at $35/night; prices vary by season
  • Best thing about this campsite: Access to hiking trails in Oswald West State Park

Nehalem Bay State Park campground is a short walk away from the beach and is ideal for those exploring more of the Oregon Coast. With Cannon Beach, Oswald West State Park, Tillamook, Hug Point, and Ecola State Park all just a short drive away, this is the perfect place for camping near Cannon Beach.

7. Saddle Mountain State Park

Saddle Mountain State Park (brx0)
Image by: brx0 via Flickr
  • Location: About 20 miles east of Cannon Beach 
  • Type of campground: dispersed campground run by Oregon State Parks
  • Facilities: none
  • Cost: free
  • Best thing about this campsite: Solitude and beautiful views away from the crowds in Cannon Beach.

Saddle Mountain State Park offers dispersed camping near Cannon Beach. While it’s not as close as the other campsites on this list, it offers expansive views of the Saddle Mountains making the short drive into town worth it. 

This spot is perfect for couples or solo travelers that have camping experience under their belt and don’t mind next to no amenities for a quiet stay in nature.

Psst! Wondering what “dispersed camping” means? This term refers to the practice of setting up your tent in a completely “wild” and unestablished area that has not been reserved for camping.

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Cannon Beach Camping | Go Wander Wild
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We want to hear from you!

Have you stayed at any of the Cannon Beach campsites on this list? What was your experience like there? Do you have any favorite spots for camping near Cannon Beach you think deserve a spot on this list? Comment below and let us know!

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