The best camping near Rockport State Park

It’s easy to feel small in Rockport State Park, where a 250-foot tall forest canopy of red cedars, Douglas firs, and maples envelopes you in a lush, sun-dappled green wonderland. And the forest isn’t just impressive for its height—this unlogged stand has trees up to 600 years old. The park’s shorter hikes, past all matter of fungi and ferns, are perfect for little legs, while the nearby 4.2-mile Sauk Mountain Trail climbs to the 5,537-foot summit. Despite its distance from the ocean, this is an important habitat for salmon, and rearing ponds can be viewed at nearby Marble Mountain. Due to dangerous trees in the park, there is currently no camping available at Rockport State Park. 

While the relatively low elevation of Rockport State Park (750 feet) means that it is hikeable year-round, the shoulder seasons are your best bet for warmer temps without the crowds. They offer their own delights as well: spring brings wildflowers like trillium as well as salmon berries and huckleberries for snacking, while the misty days of fall see an explosion of mushrooms on the forest floor. While this park is less-visited than others on Highway 20, summer visitors can expect to hear some noise from the highway during their stay. 

1. Habitat fragmentation and root rot have destabilized many of the park's trees, leading to the campground’s closure in 2007. 
2. Camping is available year-round at nearby Howard Miller Steelhead Park (1 mile east) and Rasar State Park (15 miles west).
3. The 1-mile West Loop Trail is ADA-compliant. 
4. A Discover Pass is required to park at Rockport State Park. 
5. Highway 20 closes each winter due to snow, and its opening varies by year.