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| Otter Crest Viewpoint looking south on Oregon Coast. (Julianne G. Crane) |
The Oregon Coast Highway has long been a favorite scenic byway for RVers who want to travel at a leisurely pace and soak in some of the most beautiful vistas in America. And, the Oregon State Parks has provided numerous pullouts for the millions of annual sightseers and photographers.
For RVers, a great time to travel this popular route is in the autumn and winter when there are fewer families on the road and camping sites at state parks are easier to come by.
On one recent trip along the northern Oregon Coast we pulled out at the Otter Crest State Scenic Viewpoint. It thrusts out into the Pacific Ocean between Newport to the south and Depoe Bay to the north. It is a beautiful place to take a few snapshots, stretch your legs or fix a bite to eat.
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| Looking north from Otter Crest(Julianne G. Crane). |
However, there are a couple of possible downsides for folks traveling in an RV:
– Traveling north, entry to the viewpoint is on the outside curve and signage was a little confusing. We missed the first entry and turning into the second access road was challenging because of the awkward approach and heavy oncoming traffic. However, there is a protected turn lane.
– Parking is extremely tight for larger rigs and any outfit towing a trailer or boat/car.
– Only toilet facility available the day we were there was one porta-potty that had not been service in a long, long time. (Thank goodness for self-contained RVs.)
That said, upwards of half-a-million travelers pull off the coast highway each year for the spectacular view from 500-feet “above the ocean on the breathtaking crescent sweep of white sandy beach stretching to the south (pictured above). Cape Foulweather is stunning and inspirational with its picturesque panoramic views. This popular whale watching spot also provides a good view of the Devil’s Punchbowl (to the south)” according to Oregon State Parks.
Read more about the RV lifestyle by Julianne G. Crane, go to RVWheelLife.com. Photos: Otter Crest State Scenic Viewpoint with fog bank and Gull Rock offshore. (Julianne G. Crane)
