Pacific Northwest RV Road Trip: Seattle, Portland & the Oregon Coast (2026)

The Pacific Northwest: America's Most Underrated RV Destination

The Pacific Northwest (PNW) is where old-growth rainforests meet wild ocean coastlines, snow-capped volcanoes tower over craft beer cities, and every campsite feels like it belongs in a nature documentary.

It's less famous than California for RV trips, but many experienced travellers say the PNW is even better — fewer crowds, cooler temperatures, dramatic scenery, and two of America's best food cities (Seattle and Portland) bookending the route.

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The Route: Seattle → Olympic → Portland → Oregon Coast

Days 1–3: Seattle & Olympic National Park

Pick up your RV in Seattle and head west to the Olympic Peninsula — one of the most diverse national parks in America.

• Hoh Rain Forest — Temperate rainforest draped in moss and ferns. Camp at Hoh Rain Forest Campground ($15/night, first-come).
• Ruby Beach & Rialto Beach — Wild, driftwood-strewn Pacific beaches with sea stacks.
• Hurricane Ridge — Alpine meadows with views across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Canada. 45-minute drive from Port Angeles.
• Sol Duc Hot Springs — Soak in natural hot pools surrounded by old-growth forest ($15 entry).

Days 4–5: Portland

Drive south to Portland — America's most RV-friendly big city (seriously — there are dedicated urban RV parks).

• Food scene: Portland has more breweries per capita than any US city. Hit Alberta Street for food carts, Mississippi Avenue for indie vibes, and Powell's City of Books (world's largest independent bookstore).
• Columbia River Gorge — 30 minutes east of Portland. Hike to Multnomah Falls (620ft), then drive the Historic Columbia River Highway.
• RV parks: Jantzen Beach RV Park (in Portland, $45–$65/night) or Ainsworth State Park in the Gorge ($20–$30/night).

Days 6–9: Oregon Coast

The Oregon Coast is 363 miles of public coastline (Oregon law guarantees beach access — no private beaches here). Every mile is stunning.

• Cannon Beach — Haystack Rock, one of the most photographed landmarks in Oregon. Camp at Nehalem Bay State Park ($25–$33/night).
• Cape Lookout — Forested campground on a dramatic headland ($20–$30/night). Hike the cape trail for whale-watching.
• Newport — Oregon Coast Aquarium and the Bayfront — watch sea lions from the dock.
• Bandon / Gold Beach — Southern Oregon's wild coast. Camp at Bullards Beach State Park ($22–$28/night) or Harris Beach State Park ($22–$28/night).

Days 10–12: Crater Lake National Park

Head inland to Crater Lake — the deepest lake in America, formed in a collapsed volcano. The water is an almost unreal shade of blue.

• Mazama Campground — The park's only RV-friendly campground ($22–$32/night, open June–September).
• Rim Drive — The 33-mile loop around the crater is one of America's most spectacular drives. Pull into Watchman Peak for the best sunset viewpoint.
• Boat tour: Take the guided boat ride down to Wizard Island (reserve months ahead).

Days 13–14: Return via Mount Rainier

Head north and loop past Mount Rainier on the way back to Seattle. The Paradise area has wildflower meadows with the massive glacier-capped volcano as a backdrop. Camp at Cougar Rock Campground ($20/night).

Pacific Northwest RV Trip Costs

A 14-day PNW RV trip for two typically costs US$4,000–$6,500. The region is more affordable than California or Alaska for campgrounds (Oregon state parks are a bargain), and fuel costs are moderate.

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