Oregon State Parks

While riding down the coast of Oregon, I've camped at Nehalem Bay, Devil's Lake, Sunset Bay, Humbug Mountain, and Harris Beach State parks. They all have sites designated "hiker/biker" sites, where if you arrive on foot or bicycle you can stay for $5. The bathrooms and showers and clean and are free. There are lots of staff members around, and everyone is friendly. This is the best system of parks and campgrounds I've encountered on my trip so far.

I also camped behind a sand dune in Bob Straub State Park near Pacific City. I stayed there for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of Labor Day weekend, because I didn't want to be on the 101 with all of the unskilled RV drivers. It was an incredible place to spend 3 days, and nobody bothered me. The only people I saw go by were a few people on horses. I spent my time lounging on the beach, swimming in the waves, riding into town to get pizzas, and watching sunsets.

The hiker/biker sutes at Devil's Lake and Harris Beach also had bicycle work stands, with tools tethered to it, a pump, and lockers for storing food/gear. And in Devil's Lake the lockers had USB ports inside to charge phones. Incredible! Apparently the work stand/locker structures were donated by REI.

At Humbug Mountain State Park I hiked the mountain. The trail was soft and wide and had a few dozen switchbacks over the 1,700' it climbed. I hadn't been hiking in a while, and it was great! I had been planning on hiking more during this trip, but while I was in the Canadian Rockies it was pretty smoky due to wildfires in BC, so I didn't bother.

The coast of Oregon has been a great place to ride, both in terms of services and terrain. (But not the local people!) On to California tomorrow!