We’ve reached the official middle of winter. As you wake up in the gloomy cold -- again -- do you feel a little like Bill Murray in “Groundhog Day?”

We have the remedy, and it doesn’t involve driving off a cliff with Phil the Groundhog at the wheel.

Why not take a shot at RVing along the coast? If you pick the weather right, a couple of midwinter days with views of the roiling sea could be just what you need. We know, because we’ve visited these coastal gems ourselves during the winter months.

Here are a few options in Washington and northern Oregon:

Fort Casey Historical State Park -- The campground at Whidbey Island’s Fort Casey is south-facing, so if the forecast is for sunshine, campsites have wonderful exposure all day long. Hang out and watch the ferries to Port Townsend come and go. It can feel remarkably warm on this side of Whidbey Island in the middle of winter, perfect for a hike along Admiralty Inlet at Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve. Check out nearby Coupeville or Langley for lunch.

Kalaloch Campground, Olympic National Park -- You might get lucky and have a sunny winter day here, like we did back in 2021. If so, grab a campsite as close as possible to the bluff and take a hike at low tide on one of the Washington coast’s wildest and most beautiful beaches.

Grayland Beach State Park -- Southwest Washington has a number of large, beautiful state parks along the water. You’ll likely be able to score a hook-up, and from this park, it’s a short walk into the dunes overlooking a long broad beach that seems to stretch on forever. A side trip to the historic Tokeland Hotel is a must.

Cape Disappointment State Park -- It’s one of our all-time favorites. Cape D has two gorgeous lighthouses, wonderful hiking, one of the West Coast's most beautiful strands (Benson Beach) and a stellar recreation path that travels miles up the Long Beach Peninsula. Also check out Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center for a deep dive into the Corps of Discovery.

 

Fort Stevens State Park -- Did you know that Fort Stevens was the only mainland U.S. military facility attacked during World War II? A Japanese sub snuck into the Columbia River and lobbed a few shells toward the Oregon fort, then turned around and left. Learn about this history, hike the park’s many beaches and check out charming Astoria nearby.

Nehalem Bay State Park -- Near the cute town of Manzanita, this beautiful Oregon state park offers access to a long spit and lovely dunes hiking. A side trip to bustling Cannon Beach is always a good choice.

Cape Lookout State Park -- This was one of the first places we visited when we first started RVing in 2018. It’s a big state park sandwiched between scenic Netarts Bay and the raging Pacific, offering access to a long spit and dunes to the north. Nearby attractions include Tillamook (of cheese fame) and the windswept town of Oceanside.

Connect online

Follow along with our adventures on Facebook and Instagram. And you’ll find all of our stories at spokesman.com along with the engaging international travel tales of our buddy Dan Webster. Go to: spokesman.com/goingmobile

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