Pacific Northwest Road trip

Hello, this is not climbing related but I figured these are the people to ask.

I will be taking a road trip from San Diego up the 1 all the way to Olympic National Park. If anyone knows where I can camp for very cheap along the coast in Oregon & Washington I'd really appreciate it! This trip is mainly for photography. I'll have decent camping gear to make it through cold nights & moderate hikes.

I have roughly $1,000 & as much as I would like to stay at all the awesome state parks, I noticed the costs are adding up very quick. I did check out freecampsite.net but it seems a lot of the locations are not correct or very out of date. I'm just trying to stretch my budget as far as I can here. Any advice or locations to check out would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much
-Sean

National forests are your friend for the cheap-free camping. Remember the wildfires, and bring alternate means of cooking.

One from freecampsites.net that I can verify - Tillamook National forest isn't too far off of 101 and it's gorgeous! I recommend Cook Creek Road within Cougar Valley State Park, near Nehalem. It's a quite undeveloped park- no bathrooms or services or water, but man was it peaceful and serene. There are actual designated camp sites [free of charge!] each with room to pull in your car, flat areas pitch a tent, and a fire ring. (See current fire notices) Campsites are close to the creek, many with trails leading to the water. Expect to see local hunters. Don't expect to have phone service (Check out a map and know where you're going before you go). It's a gravel road, drive safely. :) Happy travels.

beckalsm - Thank you so much! This is exactly the kind of reply I was hoping for. I will check that out right now. I'm mapping my route through google maps to get more of an exact mileage. I will be using a 2016 McNally road atlas on the actual trip though. Thanks again for taking the time beckalsm!

at crescent city theres a few free spots along the smith river that are awesome, right near the redwoods.

the chetco river has awesome free camping at the miller bar. My favorite campsite from my summer on the road.

Oregon beaches are publicly owned and you can camp on the beach anywhere 1 mile away from a state park or town line. problem is these places are vitually inaccessible.

unfortunately throughout oregon you cannot camp on the beach or anywhere near the 101 that is free and easy. there are lots of cool campsites in the coast mountains, but still 15$ a night. every other dirt roads are private logging roads. not saying you couldn't camp there, you just may wake up to loud logging trucks or a trespassing ticket.

Another option is the hiker/biker campsites at the state parks. $5, no car parking.

One great spot is at ecola state park, I believe its called tillamook head. You have to hike a mile or two, but great campsites, two bunkhouses that sleep 4 each and community firepit. great sunset and ocean views from the bluff. Have to pay for state park, $5.

Luna Lake in the olympics is a good spot to go that is a real easy hike. Port Townsend is a great town.