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Dear All,
I haven't posted on the forum for a couple of years. I wondered if I could ask about a proposed trip my partner and I are in the initial stages of planning &, hopefully, lean on the experience among the members of the forum. We would really appreciate any thoughts, comments & recommendations you might have as we begin to put together an itinerary.
We are looking to spend 6 weeks starting on June 30th, 2022 in the northwest US in a Class B RV that we will rent. We would like to explore some of the national parks out there, particularly Olympic, Mount Rainier, Northern Cascades and Glacier. We are both active, love to hike and kayak and are quiet, more reserved types. We know summer is a very busy time in the national parks but because of work constraints, this is the time we have available. We have some questions that we are hoping you can help answer:
1) Knowing just how busy these parks are during the summer months, would you suggest avoiding the big parks altogether and finding less visited or popular parks to go to?
2) If you do recommend some or all of these parks (or, maybe others), are there campgrounds in these huge parks that are less busy, less well known, that may be a bit more difficult to get to, but worth the journey?
3) Are there certain state parks or even private RV camping places in both Washington and Oregon states that you would recommend?
4) What would you advise us with regard to booking campgrounds i.e. how early to do so?
Thanks so much, we look forward to any offerings and thoughts you may have.
Kind regards,
Jan (Watts)

Welcome back, Jan! Nice to "see" you back on here.

I'm certainly no expert, there are many others on here more experienced than I doing travel/camping adventures. Hopefully, they will chime in. JudyJB, looking at you!

janwatts wrote:We are looking to spend 6 weeks starting on June 30th, 2022 in the northwest US in a Class B RV that we will rent. We would like to explore some of the national parks out there, particularly Olympic, Mount Rainier, Northern Cascades and Glacier. We are both active, love to hike and kayak and are quiet, more reserved types. We know summer is a very busy time in the national parks but because of work constraints, this is the time we have available. We have some questions that we are hoping you can help answer:

1) Knowing just how busy these parks are during the summer months, would you suggest avoiding the big parks altogether and finding less visited or popular parks to go to?

Don't know if you plan on traveling the Cascades all the way to Northern California, but Lassen Volcanic National Park is historically one of the lesser-visited national parks:

https://www.nps.gov/lavo/index.htm

Lassen Peak is considered an "active" volcano - it last erupted in about 1915. There are abundant hike-able thermal features in the park; in fact it is second only to Yellowstone in this regard.

2) If you do recommend some or all of these parks (or, maybe others), are there campgrounds in these huge parks that are less busy, less well known, that may be a bit more difficult to get to, but worth the journey?

I would certainly say that Lassen is worth the journey, but I have had a life-long fascination with volcanoes, so I may be a bit prejudiced. So far as less busy. . .? I am hearing that camping destinations most everywhere are bursting at the seams this year, probably would be best to give Lassen a call before heading out, if Lassen piques your interest.

3) Are there certain state parks or even private RV camping places in both Washington and Oregon states that you would recommend?

Again, in Northern California, I recommend the Hawk's Nest RV Park:

http://www/http://hawksnestrvcabins.com

within a mile or so of Lava Beds National Monument, home of literally hundreds of lava-tube caves ready to be explored:

https://www.nps.gov/labe/index.htm

This place is a bit primitive (the sites are not paved) and out-of-the-way, but it is located on the lower slopes of the massive Medicine Lake volcano, considered by many to be the largest volcano in the Cascade range. "Footprint" of the volcano is about 770 square miles, about 20 miles wide and 30 miles long +/-! There is an area right near the restrooms at Hawk's Nest where you can actually see where lava once flowed up out of the ground right in the RV park (but perhaps 800 years ago. . .). I haven't visited Hawk's Nest since it changed hands (it's now listed as "under new ownership") a while back, so I hope the facilities are still the same as they were. They have hookups, showers and laundry, at least they did the last time I was there.

This RV park is also about 15 miles from Glass Mountain, an astonishing area littered with giant boulders of obsidian (volcanic glass):

https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/medicine-lake/glass-mountain-obsidian-flow-medicine-lake-volcano

4) What would you advise us with regard to booking campgrounds i.e. how early to do so?

Um. . . this might be a problem, perhaps a major problem. Several of the places I tried to book last January (all in Oregon) for this summer were already fully booked. . .

If you don't have anything booked by now, you might be out of luck unless you are comfortable with boondocking in the back country of the National Forest somewhere. I would suggest getting on the phone and/or getting online right now, today, and see what you can find.

It might be slim pickings - it seems that everyone and their brother is itching to get out of the house and go camping this year.

Also, keep in mind, that whatever you find, there are likely to be strong pandemic restrictions still in place - so facilities at parks like showers and bathrooms may be closed. And, as you know, fire danger in the national forests this year will be extreme.

Thanks so much, we look forward to any offerings and thoughts you may have.
Kind regards,
Jan (Watts)

Sure. Happy to try to help. Hope you are able to find what you need!

Anne

Jan, Anne knows I spent more than a year in Oregon and Washington state while I was getting medical treatment. I had to stay in Eugene for four solid months, and then just had to check into my doctor's office for a quick monthly checkup and blood work and to pick up a new bottle of pills that were part of a research study. So for over a year, I had four weeks to travel within those two states! I really got to see a lot of them.

However, what I am going to do is to give you my phone number in a private message so you can call me.

Overall, you really have plenty of time to plan this trip, and I would also recommend that you do two drives, besides the national parks--one is the coastal drive, all the way from the southern Oregon border to the Olympic Peninsula. I would also suggest that you try some of the state parks, especially along the coast.

Check out my blog from July, 6, 2018 to Nov 1, 2018 and then from May 3, 2019 to Oct 11. 2019. Also, i was back there from Aug 2020 to Oct 2020. ANd even as far back as Sept 2017 through Oct 5, 2017. Also July 2014 to Sept 30, 2014.

As you can see, I get around!!!

I just did some checking:

- Oregon state parks accept reservations 6 months in advance.
- Washington State Parks accept reservations 9 months in advance.
- Usually, national and Corps of Engineering campground accept reservations 6 months in advance.

SO you really have plenty of time for summer 2022.

My suggestion is to decide where you want to go and then make a rough route map of the locations, then start making reservations, starting with Washington State parks.

Also, grab a map of both states and mark it up with sticky notes and markers.

I agree, awesome trip! Glacier now also requires reservations for Going to the Sun road. It sometimes isn't open until early July, so maybe go there on the way back, but make reservations for that road when necessary per their website. Yes, it'll all be busy, but accept that and just enjoy every moment. There were 4 or 5 of us ladies at a gtg at an Oregon State Park who went together for a day visit to Mt Ranier in a class b. I'm not usually one for tours and instead get maps, and make my own. But we discovered a shuttle bus tour that was free and took it and were all impressed. So if they are still doing that, I recommend it.

As Judy mentioned the drive along the Washington and Oregon coast is spectacular.

And I did go to Lassen that Anne mentioned and was impressed.

I can't recommend cg's as it's been awhile and I rarely make reservations. That said, they are becoming more necessary if you don't boondock. I have stayed at several Oregon state parks and have been pleased with all of them. (Karen, oregonluvr hopefully will jump in about some of them.) If you'll be going near the Oregon/ Washington border near Astoria, there's a great little park on the Washington side looking across the river to Astoria. If memory serves me correctly it only has electric, but I'd recommend it if you're near there. I'll look up the name I'd you think you'll have that area in your route.

You have plenty of time to plan for next year. It will be a marvelous trip!

JudyJB wrote:SO you really have plenty of time for summer 2022.

Well, duh.

I misread your post, Jan.

Dang! I thought you were aiming for this year! Oh well! Sorry!

You should have plenty of time to schedule before next summer, so long as the pandemic stays put in it's box.

Happy traveling!

Anne

Great plan! I wouldn't skip anything.

One thought on Glacier, 21 feet is the longest allowed on Going to the Sun Road. My first time I did the bus tour which was great! 2nd time with my own vehicle 2 years ago in late July, many full parking lots, but still plenty to see and roadside pullouts. I camped outside the park.

Much of the west coast road in Washington is more inland, improves along the north coast. Disappointing after Oregon. West of Port Angeles there is a county park, Salt Creek Recreational Area. Pricey but sits above the Straits with beach access. Lived in Port Angeles and that is a favorite place. Feel free to shoot me any questions about the area. Still have family there.

Mount Rainier may be busy, but it's still doable. Mt. St. Helens is a big draw.

I have not camped directly in Olympic National Park, but the important thing to know is that you do not cut through the park because of the mountains in the middle. You camp or start hikes around the edges, so you will want to approach from the coast on the southwestern edge of the park, at the town of Forks, and then circle through Port Angeles, and end up on the northeastern point of the peninsula. Or do that in the reverse.

The Hoh Rainforest is a terrific place to hike in and there is a visitor center there. Not sure what the road is like getting there, but I know my son and I did that about 25 years ago in a car. (He worked in the Olympic State Forest counting owls one summer and was based in Forks.) Most of the campgrounds in the national park are primitive, if I remember correctly, but I do remember staying at a cabin near some hot springs. (Watch out for a plant with big leaves called the Devil's Club. Grabbing it will cause spines to go into your skin and severe pain. My son still has a scar from this plant. )

However, there are several commercial campgrounds in or near Port Angeles. One memorable one is Salt Creek. It is either city or county, and has electric hookups and a dump station, however, ONE BIG BIG WARNING. DO NOT USE YOUR CELL PHONE IN THIS AREA AS IT WILL PICK UP A CANADIAN SIGNAL AND YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR INTERNATIONAL CALLS. Like several hundred $$$ worth! My son when he went there with his family got charged $250 and on a later trip, I got charged $100 while talking online with the Verizon lady!!! So disable international calls before you go. Nice view of Canada, however.

You can also take a ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria, British Columbia. Nice gardens there, but I can't remember name.

Two really great state parks near there with equal views of Puget Sound and less chance of owing your cell company big bucks are Fort Worden Historical State Park near Townsend and Fort Flagler Historical State Park on Marrowstone Island.

At Fort Worden, you want to stay in the Beach Campground, preferably in sites 1 - 16 because they have a better view. Fort Worden is an old military base and has a lot of interesting things to see and do. There is a Marine Science Center where once a week they allow you to feed the starfish and jellies and other creatures, with tongs, of course. There is also a lighthouse and several other small museums at the fort. Also, if you are very lucky and plan well, you might be able to be there when the nearby Indian tribes arrive in their ancient canoes. It was cancelled for 2020 and 2021, but I was there in There is info here on my 2018 blog: http://grandmajjb.blogspot.com/2018/07/723-paddle-to-pullyap-event.html. Make sure you play my video I took. It has the drumming and chanting that accompanies the arrival of each canoe. The canoes arrived only a few hundred feet from my camping spot!! Amazing event and worth not missing if you can possibly schedule it. Most of the canoes are dugouts made from a single log and some were very old.

Also, there are ferries from nearby Port Townsend that go whale watching and to some of the nearby islands. I highly recommend taking your own seasickness meds, by the way. The little passenger boats charge $5 for two Dramamine pills, and I can attest to the need for them if the water is rough. A trip to one of the islands is a very nice day-trip.

Not quite as much to see and do at Fort Flagler, but it has a terrific view of Puget Sound, and in the distance you can see the Alaska-bound cruise ships that travel from Seattle to Alaska. Very nice campground!!

don't feel bad Anne I did the same thing thinking you are so out of luck!!! but then I read further and then hopped back up and saw the 2022 so you are good but make those reservations!!! check out oh phooey that park in Oregon we went to a see from a gtg just not there .... but someone will remind me
have fun planning
sheila

I forgot that the second long drive is the length of the Columbia River from the Pacific Ocean to where it joins the Snake River.

Start your journey at Fort Stevens SP, just west of the town of Astoria. It is a very nice state park in the heavy trees with basic to full hookup sites. There is an old fort there with a small museum that is not to be missed. In WWII, a Japanese submarine shelled the fort but hit only the athletic field and no one and no buildings were damaged!! Make sure you drive out to the "bar" where the river meets ocean.

Then go into Astoria and visit the Columbia River Maritime Museum. Also, across the street from the museum is a fish sandwich place that makes salmon sandwiches that are very good, though I have not tried them--line was too long!!. Save the trip across the bridge to Washington for later, and take State road 30 to Portland, and then go through Portland and get onto Interstate 84. It goes along the south bank of the Columbia river and is a great drive, even though it is an interstate. You can get off at several interesting places.

Stop at the Bonneville Dam and see the dam and powerhouse, but also the fishery where huge (7 - 8 foot long) sturgeon are kept for breeding. Nice place to picnic, by the way.

Next stop is the little town of Cascade Locks. I have stayed at Memmaloose SP, not too far past there. Also, stop in the rest area in the middle of I-84 and see Multnomah Falls. https://www.oregonlive.com/travel/2016/ ... _road.html

There are lots of campgrounds and hiking trails along the river, by the way. Also, lots of pullovers along I-84. One of my favorite places is LePage Park, past The Dalles. It is a COE federal park, so I get the senior discount. Something a little fancier is Boardman Marina and RV Park a little farther east. My son and his family and I stayed there last summer.

The Columbia River joins the Snake River near Kennewick WA. The Columbia is interesting because if you go west to east, the scenery will change from big trees and heavy forests, to dry, golden grasslands that are almost deserts. If you are brave enough, you can keep going west along the Snake and take a jet boat tour in Hell's Canyon. I have not done that, however, but my kids have. I do not do whitewater or jet boats down rapids!!

Check your cell service. Mine no longer charges for Canada or Mexico. Years ago when it wandered to Canada they subtracted those charges for me but I was much more careful.

I always called phone company and had charges removed. And what Beth said. Haven’t had that issue in years while in Port Angeles. It’s Butchart Gardens in Victoria.

JudyJB wrote:I forgot that the second long drive is the length of the Columbia River from the Pacific Ocean to where it joins the Snake River.

. . . . . .take a jet boat tour in Hell's Canyon. I have not done that, however, but my kids have. I do not do whitewater or jet boats down rapids!!

I did the jet boat ride on the Snake all the way up to the dam. It was one of the best things I’ve done and in my opinion wasn’t anything that required extra bravery. Just a wonderful experience. We made several stops to historical locations along the way, saw a mama bear and two cubs, had a great time going through rapids that weren’t scary and had lunch at the dam. Once in a lifetime adventure.
Sandi

Hi All,
Jan here. How very kind and generous of all of you! What a ton of really useful information for us to sift through as we start to cobble together a trip for next year. We will definitely be in touch again, but mostly wanted to say how much we appreciated the thoughtful and generous responses. It is so very helpful to get the inside track, so to speak.
Warmly,
Jan

Parks are getting used more and more as people have gone to RVing. Make reservations as soon as possible or you will find many places full.