Big Lagoon County Park

This was an unexpected surprise stop along the coast. I had planned to stay longer in Oregon but it started to rain nonstop so I headed south. I lucked out and got a lagoon side spot with fun friendly neighbors. Paddling the lagoon daily was fun and walking the long wild beach was also cool. The campground itself wasn’t the tidiest but it was ok. There are paid hot showers. Also there are 2 sites with electric hookups if you desperately need them. Trinidad is a charming town to go for errands or a meal and check out the harbor.

We stayed here one night heading north to Oregon on Hwy 101. They only do first come first serve, so my wife drove ahead and luckily grabbed one of two sites with water and power. Those two sites would easily accommodate a 35’ RV, as would a few of the dry camping sites. Some of the sites had great views if the sunset over the lagoon. Most of the sites were better suited for small RVs or tent camping.

The bathrooms were clean but showers closed due to COVID restrictions. They sell firewood by the bucket or wheelbarrow full. The Camphost, whose real name is “Dude”, was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. Very helpful and patient to all who stopped. And, it was August so a lot of people stopped in to find the campground full and Dude was quite empathetic offering suggestions about where they might find a place to camp for the night.

Verizon texting and phone worked okay but not Internet.

Nice quiet stay next to Big Lagoon tucked into a small sparse forest. The two spaces that are best views of the lagoon are number 11 and number 25. 11 might only fit 17’ and under, 25 is anything. Two other sites have water and power for extra. Most sites will require a little leveling. Host is very nice and the bathrooms are just fine.

Birding is spectacular over the lagoon and views of the coastal forest are amazing. Quiet and peaceful and highly recommended.

The sound of the ocean waves is like the heartbeat of the earth here. It is so peaceful. The campground itself is situated on the Lagoon which is behind a point that fronts the ocean. There are short trails to the Lagoon or you can walk the camp road to the boat launch, day use area, or sandy point where I experienced some great birding.(whimbrels, osprey, brown pelicans, grebes of some sort, pomarine jaegers, cormorants, Western gulls, plus great blue heron and great egret and crows on the Lagoon side.) Bathrooms look clean and the camp host is a sweetie.
My 31’ Class C fit in this site (20) and there are a couple of others where this size could fit but this is not for the really big rigs. Part of the camp road even states not to attempt a particular turn there.
For a county sponsored campground I was pleased with the reasonable price. You do pay $2 extra for a dog (so, I paid $24, more than I was used to with a senior pass in the National Forest but well worth it for this wonderful spot.)
NOTE: People have drowned on that ocean beach so signs tell you now to stay away from the water on the ocean side.

We stayed here for two nights while visiting Redwoods National Park. The park is calm and quiet, nestled in the woods along Big Lagoon. We saw many seabirds and heard elk bugle.

We were able to fit our 21' travel trailer in a waterfront site, but had to back out of the campground because the turns getting out were too tight. There are three larger sites for RVs by the restroom facility.

Bathrooms were pretty rough, as to be expected in remote public campgrounds.

The proximity to National and State Parks was great. Trinidad is 5 miles down the road, which was a charming seaside town we enjoyed visiting. Stop at The Eatery and have some clam chowder in a bread bowl!

The approach to this campgroud is a bit rough, level but lots of giant potholes. Most of the spots in this campground are small. Lots of tent campers and car campers here. We were able to back in to one of the larger spots, #14. There are 4 or 5 spots that can accommodate larger rigs. Flush toilets and running sink water in the facilities but no hookups. There was a shower but we didn't use it. The lagoon area is lovely for walking around and its a short distance to the beach. We caught a gorgeous sunset.