South Beach State Park Camping

First time camping here in the last week in August 2023. The sites on the inside of each loop are exposed to one another as our site F19 was and are close together. The outside sites on each loop have more shade, more privacy and are much better to camp at. The week we were camping the campground was FULL. So over 350 camp sites were being used. It rained the first 3 days of our camp trip and when we arrived no camp fires were permitted. On the 4th day camp fires were allowed, but we only found out when we stopped a park ranger and asked. They said they would notify all campers about fires but did not. On the 4th day we road our bikes on some trails. This was very nice. On the 4th day W\we also went to the beach via the day use area because each loop access was from a 1/4 of a mile to 1/2 a mile hike to the beach. Very nice beach for sure! Newport was really close and handy to get food and other items. We stopped and ate at the South Beach Fish Market on the south end of Newport. Really great food but costly. We spent $40 for two meals. The campground bathrooms stalls were tight but clean. Showers were hot but some what dirty from all the mud after the rain. The wife said she would camp here again, I'm not so sure I would.

Newport Beach is awesome, and what makes it so great is all of the amazing things you can do in a 30 min drive. the site itself is a huge sprawling Oregon parks site, but they have lots of awesome tours and information sessions at the amphitheatre. There are daily events for kids, that sadly weren’t well attended. There are a few playgrounds and the ranger station has epic Oregon parks swag at a decent price. The beach is huge and not very busy. Stay away from sites in the H or I loops, they’re in a giant field with almost no shade. Otherwise all the other sites have full power and water, which is handy for everyone.

Newports Historic Bay is the perfect blend of working fishing town, and tourism. It still has soul, but you can also get great food and views. The parking in historic bay is brutal so you may have to do a few laps to find something. There are sea lions that hang out along the waterfront so make sure to take a look. Nearby Depoe Bay is also a great stop for the whale pod that hangs out in the little bay along the roadside…and the chowder shop has killer food.

Overall south beach was a great place to spend a few days.