Have 35' Class A no tow. grandchildren 7 & 8 (Kid attractions etc. would be helpful), no pets, any info on campgraounds for 2 - 3 nites at each location, pool nice not required, any "Good Eats" also appreciated, best roads or bad roads etc. Am member of Good Sam, FMCA, AAA and AARP... have checked out sites but would like the personal "been there, heard about it" from you experts.
Thanks in advance..
Looking for campgrounds At Columbia River Gorge... Cascade Locks or somewhere near there.. will be taking the Sternwheeler River Cruise. will rent-a-car or use public transportation (if avail?). Other attractions? (2 days)
Salem .... will be doing the Enchanted Forest Amusement Park. Need campsite.
.... Road advise.. Salem to the Coast... have heard take hwy 22 then 18 near Lincoln City... or take 22 and stay on it to Hebo (this looks a bit windy??) also, any info on driving time. We will be stay;ing in Depote Bay with friends .. no campsite needed. (2 days)
... plan on seeing the Aquarium... any other thoughts? good eats?
Depote Bay to Gold Beach any driving times? Will need 2 - 3 nites campground in Gold Beach and doing Jerry's Jet Boats... again either close or public transportation? attractions? other thoughts? good eats?
Will be going from Gold Beach to Shasta Caverns and will need best route, and campgrounds.
Yes, I'm looking into a GPS.. suggestions? heard Garmin 350/60 or 760?
Also, helpful websites for "RV type mapquest". or websites you feel would be helpful.
I'm not really pro or con KOA campgrounds but I seem to end up them quite a bit.
I just stayed 3 nights at the Cascade Locks location and it was overall pretty good. The pool and hot tub were clean and heated nicely. Also, there's tons of nice nearby stuff to see in the Columbia Gorge. I'm not really sure how much fun it is for kids, though. It's mostly nice nature stuff.
The Enchanted Forest in Salem on the other hand is a great place for kids. They just opened a KOA literally next door and I drove through it the other day and it seemed pretty nice. It's so new that I don't thinks it's even on their site yet.
I've been going to the Enchanted Forest since I was kid in the mid-70's and it's a pretty cool place for kids of that age. The Haunted House is super scary.
As for the coast, it's great with lots to do. Be carful though, it gets pretty crowded during the summer and the traffic to and from the coast from the Portland area is absolutely unbearable during weekends in the summer. CNN news rated it as the worst summer vacation backup in the nation a couple years ago. As long as you're not making the dirve during peak hours its not bad but be carful. Also, if you're not heading into the Portland/Salem area from the coast it's not too bad.
I usually stay at the KOA in Lincoln City (Central/North coast area) and it's pretty nice. Honestly, I do also stay at non-KOA places, too.
The gorge and the coast are the two nicest places around here for sure. The Salem area is a good mid-point with lots of services and a fair amount of stuff to do.
I'd take Hwy 22 and 18 to Lincoln City. The other route is talked about on another thread -- do a search in the "routes" forum.
About Salem --- if you can't get into the KOA there....check out the Hee Hee Illahee RV park in North Salem (Hee Hee Illahee It's right off I5 -- easy access, BIG spaces, reasonable prices, and swimming pool and playground area for kids. We've stayed there a # of times...the staff is wonderful and everyone follows the rules.
I personally, could not recommend the other KOA in Salem....too many permanent RVers in there.
Have a great time!
Dee & Bob
1990 Fleetwood Fifth Wheel
2 cats - Donner and Dasher
kids are grown and on their own
12 grandkids
life is good!!!!
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In Gold Beach, I strongly recommend Ireland's Ocean RV Park. When we stayed there in May there were only four other RVs; it's very short walk to a nice beach; and close to Jerry's Jet Boats dock. The long jet boat trip is a "don't miss" thing. Enjoy your trip.
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