The Southern Oregon coast has some of the scenic landscapes in all of the US. Some of the most jaw dropping sites though, can be found in the Samuel Boardman Scenic Corridor. In this blog, I’m going to show you the most scenic stops on the Southern Oregon Coast and the best spot to camp.
Trip Duration: You can honestly see all these spots in just a day but I would recommend taking at least 2-3 nights to fully experience the beauty here.
Camping in the Southern Oregon Coast
My favorite campground of all time is in Harris Beach State Park. This place checks off all the boxes in terms of a great campground. It’s scenic, has clean facilities, and it’s close to the town and attractions. You can find a list of the amenities below:
65 full-hookup sites
25 electrical sites with water
59 tent sites with water nearby
6 yurts (3 pet-friendly; one accessible)
Group camp
Hiker/biker camp
Playground
Flush toilets and hot showers
Firewood for sale, subject to availability
RV dump station
Universal access: One campsite has accessible design.
Reservations can be tough but you are able to book 6 months in advance or snag a last minute opening. We booked a week before our stay in June and noticed that there were still several sites available.
Harris Beach State Park
if you do choose to camp in Harris Beach, you are already in your first stop on this epic Southern Oregon coast road trip. Harris Beach State Park is a must visit. The trail down to the beach is just walking distance from the campground or you can find ample parking in their many day use parking spaces. Unlike most state park beaches I’ve been to, leashed dogs are actually allowed here. This is one of the places where I would recommend bringing some chairs and having a picnic.
Thunder Rock Cove
This trail was just next to the natural bridges but doesn’t get nearly as much traffic. Thunder Rock Cove was one of my favorite stops on the Oregon Coast. The parking lot was empty compared to the natural bridges right next to it. The hike was relatively short and walks you through forest and opens up to some dramatic views of rocks and cliffs. You also have the option to hike down to a secluded beach if you have time.
Secret Beach
This not so secret beach is a popular stop in the Samuel Boardman Scenic Corridor. To get here to you need to take a short hike down. It’s easy and we recommend using AllTrails to find your way. Don’t expect to get this place to yourself but you can venture further into the beach past the famous rock for some seclusion.
Natural Bridges
There are two ways to enjoy the Natural Bridges. One through a viewpoint and one through a short but steep and somewhat sketchy hike. If you’ve seen some of the famous Instagram photos though, you’ll probably want to opt for the hike. Getting to the hike isn’t that straight forward but the best way I can describe it is to take the path to the right of the parking lot and veer to the left of the trail the whole way. If you’re arriving during sunrise or sunset, don’t be surprised if you see hoards of photographers there.
The trail doesn’t end at the bridge and you can opt to cross the bridge at your own risk and get rewarded for more beautiful views.
Want to keep the adventures going in California? Check out this ultimate roadtrip guide to check out some waterfalls, hot springs, caves, and alpine lakes.