Camping in WA, OR or NorCal?

[Mountain Time]

I have the good fortune to have a light week coming up at the office, and we finally have some good weather forecast for western Washington (its been a lonnngggg and gray winter out here). So, I'm thinking of loading the camping gear in the plane and heading out for a 2 or 3 night trip, just visiting some airports in the Pacific NW. The idea would be to fly each day, do some aerial sightseeing, and land by late afternoon and get camp set up. Maybe a hike or some other exploration, then back to camp for a cold one and some dinner, etc. - you get the idea. Then off to somewhere else the next day.

I've flown into Nehalem Bay airport in Oregon but have not stayed there. They do have on-field camping and it looks like a fairly short walk into Manzanita. So that might be an option. But I'd appreciate suggestions for other locations too, and they could be basically anywhere in Washington, Oregon, down into Norcal, etc. If walkable/hikeable for food etc. that's great but not necessary.

Looking forward to what the experienced RV campers have to say on this - thanks in advance for the feedback!

(Mods - feel free to move to regional or other forum, I didn't see one that seemed to fit this specifically....)

[greghughespdx]

Nehalem Bay is great. The camp sites on the airport are non-reserved so first-come-first-served for pilots.

Other ideas:

Orcas - KORS
Electric City - 3W7
Daybreak (N of Vancouver, WA)

[BobTurner]

Columbia, CA. Camp just off the runway, walk to the state park (restored gold mining town).

[Stitch462]

Eastern Washington:
09S, Sullivan Lake in Eastern WA north of Spokane, just south of the Canadian border.

Then just a few minutes farther:
66S Cavanaugh Bay, right on Priest Lake in North Idaho not far from 09S.

SZT, Sandpoint Idaho right on Lake Pend Oreille (pond-ah-ray) and finally...

3U2, Johnson Creek in the Idaho Mountains numerous RVs have visited there. Except Vlad. Strange...

Fly safe and enjoy your time off...

[alpinelakespilot2000]

Originally Posted by Stitch462

Eastern Washington:
09S, Sullivan Lake in Eastern WA north of Spokane, just south of the Canadian border.

Stitch-Have you been into Sullivan Lake with an RV? Last time I was there (though it has been a while) it was not terribly smooth. Wouldn't have concerns taking something with bigger tires, but wouldn't take an RV in there without a recent (and promising) PIREP.

[JonJay]

Originally Posted by Mountain Time

I've flown into Nehalem Bay airport in Oregon but have not stayed there. They do have on-field camping and it looks like a fairly short walk into Manzanita. So that might be an option.

We have a home in Manzanita. It is a one mile walk to our house from the airport and another few blocks to Laneda Street, the main drag. So, yes, very walkable. You can walk the Beach but add a few hundred yards more.
Decent food at the San Dune Pub, Bakery for breakfast, Manzana's Pizza, and several other choices.
If you want to hike the beach, I would recommend going down the spit to the North Jetty. It is a healthy walk, about 5 miles round trip from the airport, but you can slice off as much as you like. Take the service road south of the camp ground by the Horse camp if the wind is blowing so you can walk the beach downwind. It is more protected and makes it a more pleasant hike.

Daybreak is about 3NM from our home in Battleground. It is a pretty spot next to the river, but there is nothing really to see or do and no potable water. I am not sure if they have the porta john there anymore. I used to double buckle the kids (adults now) in the back of the Champ and take them swimming there. Water is always COLD but it is really cold right now.

Have fun and post your Pirep on the trip.

[Mike Macon]

You might want to check out Sisters Eagle Airport. Camping on the field, loaner bicycles and a cool little town.

http://www.sistersairport.com/services.php

[Mark Albery]

Smiley Creek, ID (U87) has a campsite right next to the runway, showers, shelters, fire wood and a courtesy mini-bus (if it's still going). The restaurant and lodge is a short walk away.
Long grass runway and great views of the Sawtooth Mountains.

[Omega232Devils]

Originally Posted by Stitch462

3U2, Johnson Creek in the Idaho Mountains numerous RVs have visited there. Except Vlad. Strange...

What says you VLAD? I will be in Johnson Creek this weekend. Come join us! Another grass strip in your logbook!

[flynwest]

I was at HAF Halfmoon bay last week on the south end of the taxi way that leads to the little town of Princeton. There is a fire ring picnic table fire wood and fire extinguisher. Looks like a nice place to camp. Walk to lots of little restaurants shops and brewery.