PORT ORFORD, Ore. — The campground at Cape Blanco State Park will reopen March 2 after being closed for nearly a year due to COVID-19, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) announces. Visitors will be able to reserve sites up to six months in advance starting at 6 a.m. March 1 for all stays March 2 and after.

Cape Blanco has long been a first-come, first-serve campground, meaning sites could not be reserved, due to lack of high-speed connectivity. This created inefficiencies and inconsistencies to the process of administering campground stays, said Coastal Region Manager Dennis Comfort.

“Adding the park to the reservation system has been a long-term goal for OPRD,” Comfort said.  “It brings consistency to agency processes and to the visitor experience. Now anyone can enjoy this beautiful campground, with the peace of mind that you’ll arrive and a campsite will be available.”

Two additional first-come, first-served coastal campgrounds that have been closed since the beginning of the pandemic — Alfred A. Loeb State Park in Brookings and Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park in Florence — will reopen and be on the reservation system later this spring.

Cape Blanco reservations can be made from one day to six months in advance starting at 6 a.m. March 1 through OPRD’s partner site, oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com or by calling 800-452-5687. Group sites will remain closed to reduce exposure in accordance with Gov. Kate Brown’s Coronavirus guidance.

Located at the state’s westernmost tip overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Cape Blanco has 52 spacious, private campsites with electrical and water hookups, as well as four rustic cabins and eight horse sites with corrals. The park includes hiking trails, horse trails, an open riding area and the Cape Blanco Lighthouse, which is closed to tours due to COVID-19. More information about the park is on the Oregon State Parks official website at stateparks.oregon.gov.

To learn more about safe recreation in parks during the pandemic, visit our COVID-19 FAQ page