Camping in the Western United States

Looking for a place to go camping in the western part of the United States? How about trying a state park? There are at least five state parks with excellent camping opportunities available in the area from Washington to New Mexico. The five state parks mentioned in this article are Cape Lookout State Park in Oregon, Cimarron Canyon State Park in New Mexico, D.L. Bliss State Park, Emerald Bay State Park and Salt Point State Park in California and Flathead Lake State Park in Montana.

Cape Lookout State Park, located one and a half hours west of Portland Oregon, offers its visitors the opportunity to enjoy hiking tails, forests, whale watching, wildlife watching and waterfalls. This park is also popular with hang gliders and paragliders. Cape Lookout State Park offers campers 38 full hookup sites, 1 electric only site, 173 tent sites, 13 yurts and 4 group tent areas. There is also hiker and biker camps and 3 deluxe cabins. Campers will also have access to a dump station and restrooms. Camping rates vary depending on whether it is summer or winter. Summer is considered May 1 through September 30 while winter is October 1 to April 30. Full hookup sites are $20 a night during the summer and $16 a night during the winter. The site with electricity only is the same price as full hookups. Tent sites are $16 per night during the summer and $12 per night during the winter. Hiker and biker camping sites are $4 per night, both summer and winter. Yurts rent for $27 per night, both summer and winter and cabin rental is $66 per night in the summer and $45 per night during the winter.

Cape Lookout State Park is found by taking US 101 in Tillamook, Oregon. Stay on US101 through Capes Scenic Route and travel southwest 12 miles. For more information, go to www.oregonstateparks.org.