oregon

The Best of Eastern Oregon

Alvord desert Eastern oregon

The Best of Eastern Oregon

Bend, Oregon, is a van life hotspot.  With ample National Forest camping, just a few minutes’ drive from an adventure-driven town.  It’s easy to get sucked into the Bend, Oregon, vanlife vortex.  This is a great place to begin your Eastern Oregon road trip adventure.  There’s plenty to do in the Bend area and we have covered that in other blogs that you can see here.  Bend is also a great place to stock up on supplies and take care of all your errands before you embark on a journey that few van lifers have taken.  

This Road trip will take you through obscure Eastern Oregon terrain, from geothermal calderas, hot springs, giant holes in the earth, and ancient dry lake beds. This is a road trip off the beaten path that you will not want to miss.  

Newberry volcano hot springs oregon

Newberry Volcano - Hot Springs and Camping

The Newberry Volcano is basically a mini Crater Lake with a fraction of the tourists.  You’ll find plenty to do at this National Volcanic Monument.  While we were here, we hiked along the north shore of Paulina Lake to Paulina Lake Hot Springs.  These were some pretty sweet primitive hot springs on the shore of the lake.  We were planning on paddling our SUP out to the hot springs, but the water was too rough for paddling. But, taking a watercraft to the springs is always an option.  We only spent the day here, but if you wanted to there is a very nice campsite on the Eastern shore of Paulina Lake.  Also, the Monument has plenty of hiking; you can also drive up to the top of Paulina Peak for an amazing view of the crater.  

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La Pine - Hole In the Ground/Free Camping

Drive South on the 97 through La Pine, Oregon, and make a right turn onto HWY 31 and head east.  You are now entering The Lonely Oregon Outback.  There’s not much to see out here but there’s plenty of solitude.  Drive a few miles down HWY 31 to the Hole in the Gound, while it’s just honestly a massive hole in the earth caused by a volcanic explosion.  The road in is rough but it’s not terrible and we’ve seen tons of vehicles make it up here.  This is also the location of Descend on Bend, a large van gathering.  We love this National Forest campsite and since we’ve been here a few times, we can tell you this is the best place for camping around the rim (43.403982, -121.200021).  We really enjoy the peace and quiet out here in the Oregon Outback and the night sky is just amazing since there is no light pollution around. 

Heart Mountain Hot Springs Eastern Oregon

Heart Mountain Antelope Refuge - Hot Springs/Free Camping

When you are on the road and you get advice from the older retiree folks, well you better take it! Because they know what’s up.  We had a hot tip at our Bend campsite from our good friend @yoterryh to check out Heart Mountain and we are so glad we jumped on this adventure.  The drive up to Heart Mountain is stunning and a majority of this journey is on gravel and dirt roads. You better fuel up in Paisley because you are about to get very remote and there are no services past Plush, OR. The Heart Mountain Camp Ground is way out there and I’m going to leave it up to the adventurous van lifer that you are to find this place yourself.  I’ll let you know that there is a pretty nice free campsite with drop toilets and fire rings and an awesome hot springs with a rock shelter and also a primitive hot spring out in the field.  We really had an amazing time getting here it was such a beautiful drive and we saw plenty of antelope. We will also note, it snowed on us in June.  This is a very special place and is rarely visited by others.  

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Alvord Desert - Dry Lake Bed/ Free Camping

Our last stop on our obscure Eastern Oregon adventure was also recommended by @yoterryh and others, The Alvord Desert.  Getting here from Heart Mountain requires quite a bit of gravel and dirt road driving. So, we recommend lowering your tire pressure, once you hit the gravel on the way to Heart Mountain because you will drive a few hours on gravel from here on out.  The Alvord desert is a massive dry lake bed that is situated under the Steens Mountains, which makes it even more of a unique landscape.  When we visited the mountains were still snow-capped,  it was interesting seeing the snow-capped mountains while you were down on the desert floor.  It’s really a magical place.  We drove far enough away from anyone and enjoyed a very secluded campsite out on the desert.  Make sure you stake everything down because when the winds pick up they can really take your campsite with them.  We also recommend bikes to cruise around the “playa” and imagine you are at Burning Man.  The silence was amazing and the night skies were some of the best we’ve seen in America.  We highly recommend making the journey to the Alford Desert to experience true solitude.  

From the Alford Desert, we headed up to Boise, Idaho, to supply up and continue the journey.  From here, we will note there is still quite a bit of gravel and dirt roads to go. So, you’ll want to air down those tires for a smoother ride, we recommend keeping them lower.  There are plenty of stations once you hit the pavement to fill up the tire pressure.  

15 Free Campsites Along the Oregon and California Coast

15 Free Campsites California and Oregon Coast Free Camping HWY 1

15 Free Campsites along the Oregon and California Coast. 

Before we dive into all the campsites along the way I need to forewarn you that these sites are a mixture between pull offs on the side of the road and “Day Use Areas”.  Most of the spots may be geared towards the more savvy budget road tippper or the seasoned vanlife nomad.  These spots are car/van camping specific spots.  We hope this guide is helpful in finding a few spots along the cost where a free spot can be difficult to find. We will also note here the we found California much more accommodating to find places to sleep.

Also we have a longer write up and full itinerary available here! 

Oregon HighwaY 101 

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#1. Oswald West State Park (45.744721,-123.960908) 

No Toilets / Roadside Pull Off / Car Camping 

This spot is actually a viewing area/rest stop.  Take advantage of your first of many multi million dollar views from your van.  Head on over to the Neahkahnie Viewpoint for your first night, right off highway 101. Also, get used to these highway stop-over camping spots in Oregon, unless you want to fork over $35 to the State Parks.  There are no toilets here but have no fear there are plenty of options for your #2’s in Manzanita has plenty of services and restrooms just a few minutes down the hill.  

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#2.  Brain Booth State Park (44.520991,-124.069295)

Drop Toilet / Day Use Area / Car Camping

Although this is a day use area you will have to use your best judgement on whether or not you wish to stay here.  We camped on the east side of the park near the river access highway 101 and we had no trouble, the secret is to get there late and leave early.  There are also pit toilets here as well so that makes life easy in the morning.  There are lots of scenic beaches in this area to checkout.  

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#3.  Whiskey Run Bike Trails (43.218854,-124.342054)

No Toilets / Trailhead Parking Area / Car Camping

Per Oregon standards there was a no overnight parking sign but as usual in this secluded area we ignored the signs and stayed the night here.  It was very quite, however people did show up fairly early in the morning to ride their mountain bikes.  We rode the trails in the morning and had a blast if you have a mountain bike and want to ride some nice professionally built flowy trails this is right off the 101 and you will be stoked you stoped.  

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#4 Bandon Beach Streets (43.110550,-124.432711)

No Toilets / Neighborhood Streets (Stealth) /  Car Camping

We noticed while in Bandon that most of the homes are vacation rentals.  So we thought no one would know that we are camping on their street.  Since it seemed to be low season we just stealth parked the rig above the beach on a parking space with quite the overlook.  We woke up early n the morning we headed to Face Rock State Park to use the clean and nice bathrooms and headed out of town.  

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#5.  Indian Sands Trail Head (42.157399,-124.361562)

No Toilets / Day Use Area / Car Camping 

The Samual H. Boardman State Park is an incredible state park and a the most photographed area on the coast.  We explored the area the whole day, two short hikes that are worth checking out are Secret Beach and Indian Sands.  We ended up staying in the Indian Sands Day Use parking lot and once again had zero issues.  

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California Highway 1

#6.  Smith River Camping (42.157399,-124.361562)

No Toilets / Roadside Pull Off / Car and Tent Camping

We found a nice spot via iOverlander right on the Smith River with access to a nice swimming hole.  We made a fire met a Basque traveler @laidagoe who joined us for some kooky adventures.  In the morning we recommend you check out Stout Grove and take the backpay out into Crescent City.  There’s plenty of short trails with some of the tallest trees in California.  

Free Camping California Coast HWY 1 Free Campsites

#7.  Lost Rocks (42.157399,-124.361562)

No Toilet / Roadside Beach Parking / Car Camping 

There are picnic tables and fire pits on the beach and we really enjoyed our stay.  We also went climbing in the Promontory just about 1/4 mile up the beach.  It was an amazing setting for a climb and to be able to wrap it up with a day on the beach was magical.  We gained another traveler this night and headed south after two relaxing nights at the beach.  

Free Camping California Coast HWY 1

#8.  Moonstone Beach (42.157399,-124.361562)

Portable Toilet / Beach Camping / Car Camping 

We heard about Moonstone Beach from our friends who live in Arcata so we went to see what the hype was all about.  Upon arrival we were pretty stoked with the scenery of the beach with the Little River meeting the surging tide.  It was a great place for a swim as well as top rope climbing.  We ended up staying here two nights as well right in the parking lot.  Although people told us that we cant camp there we did and had no issues.  Just clean up your mess and be a good neighbor,  

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#9.  Big Tree Grove (40.350409,-123.991959)

Portable Toilets / Trailhead Day Use Parking / Car Camping

We visited the visitor center and were told that the largest trees in the California and  The Avenue of the Giants was at Big Tree Grove.  So we headed out walked a few short walks around the grove and stayed for the night.  It was very quite here and we had no issues.  

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#10.   Roadside pull over HWY 1 (39.694736,-123.798595)

No Toilets / Roadside Pull Off / Car Camping 

Once we made it to HWY 1 we were ready to prepare some food so we pulled over on one of the first pullovers we saw that was empty and we cooked some dinner and passed out.  We woke up to beautiful sunny weather the next day and tried not to launch our van off the road as we cruised the rig south.  

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#11.  Point Arena Lighthouse (38.943371,-123.732553)

Portable Toilets /  Scenic View Point / Car Camping 

Here we would stay 3 nights and enjoy the iconic view of a historic lighthouse juts out of plateau where the land meets the sea.  There is plenty of opportunities for whale watching here and if you look off the rocks the seals will be living the good life laying out all day absorbing the precious vitamin D.

Sonoma Coast Free Camping HWY 101 Coast Camping California Free Campsites

#12.  Sonoma Coast Road Side Pull Off (38.489223,-123.189684)

No Toilets / Roadside Pull Off / Car Camping

From here south it’s going to get tricky on finding free campsites.  The camping here is harder to find and is more likely to be roadside pullouts but there are some nice ones.  Just North of Jenner we found an amazing hill side pull out where we spent a afternoon and night watching the wales migrate while the sunset did it’s thinning the Next day we headed down to Goat Rock Beach where they have a nice large scenic parking lot, restrooms, and garbage cans… All the necessities. 

Free Camping California Coast HWY 1 Free campsites california

#13.  Jenner Roadside Camping (38.452503,-123.128298)

No Toilets / Roadside Pull Off / Car Camping 

After a peaceful and amazing night overlooking the ocean high up on the bluffs we headed down to the small town of Jenner about 5 miles.  We spent the day at the Goat Rock Beach Parking lot enjoying the sunshine and amenities at the beach. We also went rock climbing did some yoga and then headed up to the upper parking lot for the night.  Here we were asked to leave by the police around 8pm and we found a last second campsite just right outside of the town of Jenner on the side of the road.  Not an ideal spot but we had no issues here.  

Free Campsites Marin County California Coast HWY 1 Free Camping

#14.  Palomarin Trailhead (37.930389,-122.742040)

Toilets / Trailhead Day Use Parking / Car Camping 

We stocked up on all kinds of organic produce at the Bolinas Farm Stand (Highly Recommended) then we headed to the Palomarin Trailhead.  This is not by any means a free campsite and you have to be a seasoned van lifer to pull this one off without getting in trouble with the authorities.  Park Rangers came by about 3 times per day but no one patrolled the area at night.  Just don't let them catch you in the morning they will give you a ticket.

Muir Beach Free Camping Free Campsites California Coast HWY 1

#15.  Roadside Pull off Highway 1, Near Muir Beach (37.870438,-122.590238)

No Toilets / Roadside Pull Off / Car Camping 

After two peaceful days at Palomarin we headed down to Stinson Beach for the day. Then that night we just found another road side pull over via iOverlander just a few minutes from Muir Beach which would be out destination the next day.  We were lucky it was a Sunday and the road construction crew was off and they left their portable toilet unlocked so we had a toilet but don't count on it.  

**!BONUS!**

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#16.  Sausalito Parking Lot #3 (37.857649,-122.480807)

Toilets / Marina Parking / Car Camping 

From here we moved on to meet our good friend Phil aka @Sprinter_on_the_move.  He showed us a promising spot to camp for the night.  Right at the Marina in Sausalito, it was free and fairly quite for being in the city.  Not the most legal but we got away with it for the night we saw plenty of other van travelers in the parking lot so we felt safe.  

Thanks for reading if you are looking for any other activities to do in California or Oregon just click the links!  Cheers!