Oregon Coast Road Trip: A Refreshing Summer Escape

The Oregon Coast is one of those places that leaves you breathless at every turn—a rugged mix of wild Pacific beaches, towering cliffs, and charming small towns. When I did this trip, I started from Seattle, winding down the coast over a couple of days. But if I were to do it again, I’d recommend starting and ending in Portland. Unless you’re planning to explore Washington’s national parks (that’s a whole other set of adventures!), Portland makes a convenient and scenic gateway to Oregon’s coastline.

One thing I loved about this route was driving south along Highway 101. Not only does the road hug the coast, but you’re also on the ocean side of the highway, making it easy to pull over for all those irresistible viewpoints and photo ops. Trust me, you’ll want to stop often—whether it’s for tidepools, lighthouse tours, or just a moment to watch the waves crash on the rocks below.

Why Take an Oregon Coast Road Trip?

An Oregon Coast road trip is the perfect mix of adventure, scenery, and laid-back vibes. You can spend your mornings exploring tidepools or hiking through coastal forests, your afternoons savoring fresh seafood and craft beer, and your evenings watching the sunset light up the ocean.

Summer is by far the best time to visit the Oregon Coast, with mild temperatures and long daylight hours, but late spring and early fall have their own charm—fewer crowds, dramatic skies, and that cozy coastal atmosphere.

If you have time, this road trip pairs beautifully with other iconic stops in the region. On my own trip, we added two nights in Redwood National and State Parks just over the California border (highly recommend!) and detoured inland to Crater Lake National Park for some jaw-dropping views of the country’s deepest lake.

Our Oregon Coast Adventure

One of the best parts of an Oregon Coast road trip is how easy it is to find great places to stay along the way. The state is dotted with state parks, many of which offer excellent campgrounds and facilities. On our trip, we opted for what I like to call “light camping”—staying in yurts and KOA cabins instead of pitching a tent. It was the perfect compromise: we still brought along our sleeping bags and a few basic camp kitchen items, but we didn’t have to worry about hauling all the bulky gear that comes with traditional camping (a real challenge if you’re flying in for this trip!).

One of my favorite stops was South Beach State Park near Newport, Oregon. This park is a gem—right on the beach, with plenty of walking trails that wind through the dunes and coastal forest. It’s a great spot for families or anyone who wants easy access to the ocean without giving up the convenience of showers and well-maintained facilities. If you’re planning an Oregon Coast camping trip, I can’t recommend it enough.

For dinner, we treated ourselves to a meal at Rogue Brewery in Newport. It felt like a bit of a pilgrimage since their craft beers were a staple of our college years! Sitting there with a flight of their latest brews, we toasted the start of our adventure before heading back to our cozy yurt for the night.

Scenic Highlights on the Oregon Coast

Driving south along Highway 101 is a constant game of “should we stop here?” because every few miles, there’s another breathtaking viewpoint or coastal gem. If you have the time, here are a few must-see stops on the Oregon Coast road trip itinerary:

• Cannon Beach: Famous for Haystack Rock and tidepools teeming with sea life.
  
• Cape Kiwanda: Known for its giant sand dune and dramatic ocean views.
  
• Cape Perpetua Scenic Area: Short trails lead to overlooks where the waves crash into rocky cliffs, creating blowholes and spouting horns.
  
• Yaquina Head Lighthouse (near Newport): A classic coastal lighthouse with tidepools below.
  
• Heceta Head Lighthouse & Beach: One of the most photographed lighthouses on the coast.
  
• Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor: Near the southern end of the coast, this stretch has iconic natural bridges, sea stacks, and quiet beaches.
  

South Along the Oregon Coast

If I could change one thing about our trip, it would be spending more than two days on my Oregon Coast road trip. There’s just so much to see! Every bend in Highway 101 reveals another jaw-dropping viewpoint, a charming coastal town, or a beach you’ll want to explore. Between the lighthouses, tidepools, and scenic pullouts, it’s the kind of drive that begs you to slow down and savor it. 

We continued south, eventually crossing into California and heading for Crescent City, where we set up camp for two nights to explore Redwood National and State Parks. If you’ve never experienced these forests, they’re otherworldly—the kind of place that makes you feel tiny and awestruck all at once.

Camping Among Giants: Crescent City KOA

Our cabin at the KOA in Crescent City felt absolutely magical. We camped under the towering old-growth redwoods, their branches swaying high above us. At night, the forest was so dark that I could barely see my hand in front of my face—a true blackness you don’t find in many places anymore. It was both humbling and peaceful, the perfect reset after a day of exploring.

Exploring Redwood National and State Parks

We spent our days hiking through ancient groves, wandering coastal trails, and finding hidden fern gullies that felt like stepping back into prehistoric times. If you have time for just one special stop, I highly recommend packing a picnic lunch and heading to the Klamath River Overlook. From there, you’ll have sweeping views of where the river meets the Pacific Ocean, and on a clear day, you might even spot whales offshore.

We tried to squeeze in another nearby state park along the California coast, but ran out of time. In hindsight, adding an extra day here would have been ideal. The Redwoods truly deserve to be savored, not rushed.

Crater Lake National Park: A Deep-Blue Wonder

After the rugged coastlines and towering redwoods, our road trip took us to one of the most jaw-dropping places I’ve ever visited: Crater Lake National Park. Formed by a collapsed volcano, Crater Lake is famous for its vivid, almost unreal shade of blue and amazing clarity,  and seeing it in person feels like stepping into a postcard.

We spent two nights (one full day) exploring the park, which felt like the perfect amount of time. If I could do it again, though, I’d definitely splurge on staying inside the park. We booked a KOA cabin down in Klamath Falls, and while it was comfortable, the drive back and forth to the park was longer than I’d like—especially when you want to catch sunrise or sunset at the lake. Staying at Crater Lake Lodge, or even camping at Mazama Village Campground, would be incredible for soaking up the views from the rim without the extra drive.

Best Things to Do in Crater Lake National Park

1. Rim Drive (10/10 recommend!)
The Rim Drive is the ultimate scenic loop, circling the entire lake with over 30 pullouts and viewpoints. Each stop offers a new perspective—dramatic cliffs, Wizard Island in the distance, or panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness. We made a point to stop at every overlook we could, and I would encourage anyone to take their time and do the same.

2. Short Hikes on the Rim
We did a short hike along the rim, which gave us plenty of opportunities to admire the lake from different angles. There are a variety of Crater Lake hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to more challenging climbs, but even the short ones are worth it for those sweeping views.  We just walked along the rim from the Visitor Center parking lot.

3. Cleetwood Cove Trail & Boat Tour
One of the highlights of our visit was the hike down to the lake via Cleetwood Cove Trail. The trail is steep, but it’s the only legal access to the lake’s edge. Once at the bottom, we dipped our feet into the frigid, crystal-clear water (talk about refreshing!). We also booked the boat tour around the lake, which I highly recommend—it’s an incredible way to learn about the park’s history, geology, and natural beauty.

While we didn’t make it to Wizard Island (you need a separate boat tour for that), it’s on my bucket list for next time. A hike on the island itself would be such a unique experience.

Important Note: Currently, the Cleetwood Cove Trail and boat tours are suspended for maintenance, so be sure to check the NPS website for updates before making plans—or hire someone like me to keep track of the details for you!

Tips for Visiting Crater Lake in Summer

• Timing: Summer is the best time to visit since snow can linger on the roads well into late spring. July to early September is the sweet spot, however wildfire smoke can obscure views the later in the season you go.
  
• Plan Ahead: Like many parks, lodging inside the park (especially at Crater Lake Lodge) books up fast—reserve months in advance if you can.
  
• Photography: For the best Crater Lake sunrise photography, consider staying nearby to catch the early morning light hitting the rim.
  
• Pack Layers: Even in summer, the elevation means cooler mornings and evenings.
  
• Fuel Up: There are no gas stations inside the park, so fill your tank before you arrive.

Adding Bend to Your Road Trip

If you have a little extra time, Bend, Oregon is the perfect finale to your road trip. Nestled on the eastern side of the Cascades, Bend offers a completely different vibe from the coast—think high desert landscapes, sunny skies, and outdoor adventures galore. After days of coastal fog and mountain air, we loved the warm, dry climate and the energy of this outdoorsy town.

Why Add Bend?

• Craft Breweries & Great Food: Bend is practically a mecca for craft beer lovers, with iconic spots like Deschutes Brewery and 10 Barrel Brewing. It’s the ideal place to relax with a pint and a hearty meal after days of hiking and exploring.
  
• Outdoor Adventures: Whether you want to float the Deschutes River, rent bikes, or hit the hiking trails at nearby Smith Rock State Park, there’s no shortage of things to do.
  
• Scenic Drive from Crater Lake: The route between Crater Lake and Bend is filled with stunning views of the Cascade Mountains and plenty of spots to stop for photos or a short walk.
  

Bend also makes a great halfway point if you’re returning to Portland, giving you a taste of Oregon’s desert-meets-mountains side before wrapping up your trip.

Suggested Oregon Coast & Crater Lake Road Trip Itinerary

Here’s how I’d plan this Oregon Coast road trip itinerary if I were to do it again:

Day 1: Start in Portland, explore the northern coast (Cannon Beach, Tillamook), overnight near Tillamook or Lincoln City.
Day 2: Central Coast highlights (Newport, Cape Perpetua, Yachats), camp or stay in a yurt at South Beach State Park.
Day 3: Southern Coast (Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor, Gold Beach), overnight near Brookings or Crescent City, CA.
Day 4–5: Two nights in Redwood National & State Parks (KOA cabin under the redwoods is magical!).
Day 6: Drive inland to Crater Lake National Park. Stay overnight in or near the park.
Day 7: Full day exploring Crater Lake—Rim Drive, short hikes, boat tour if open, and sunset on the rim.
Day 8 (Optional): Head to Bend for a day of breweries, river floats, and scenic hikes.
Day 9: Return to Portland.

Why the Oregon Coast & Crater Lake Make the Perfect Summer Road Trip

From the rugged beauty of the Oregon Coast to the towering Redwoods and the surreal blue waters of Crater Lake National Park, this road trip showcases the best of the Pacific Northwest and Northern California. Whether you’re camping under the stars, sipping craft beer in Newport or Bend, or standing in awe at a scenic viewpoint along Highway 101, every stop offers a new way to connect with nature and slow down from the everyday rush.

I loved how this trip balanced coastal adventures with forest hikes, mountain views, and unique experiences like staying in yurts and cabins along the way. It’s perfect for a week-long getaway in summer, late spring, or early fall, when the weather is mild, the days are long, and every sunset feels like a postcard moment.

Ready to Plan Your Own Oregon Coast Road Trip?

There’s a lot to consider when planning a trip like this—Oregon Coast camping spots, booking Crater Lake boat tours, finding the best viewpoints, and deciding which stops to prioritize along Highway 101. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the logistics, I can help!

I offer custom travel planning services that take the stress out of trip prep. Whether you want a detailed Oregon Coast road trip itinerary, insider tips on hidden gems, or guidance on combining this route with other iconic stops like Bend or the Redwoods, I can create a personalized plan that fits your style and timeline.

Check out my Travel Planning Services page here and let’s make your Pacific coast dream road trip happen!