U.S. Route 101, otherwise known as U.S. Highway 101, is a north–south United States Numbered Highway that runs through the states of California, Oregon, and Washington, on the West Coast of the United States. Other names are the El Camino Real where its route along the southern and central California coast approximates the commemorative trail which links the Spanish missions, pueblos, and presidios.

US 101 has become internationally renowned over the years in film, popular culture, and song. It is often quoted alongside other legendary roadtrip routes, such as US 66, as a recognized symbol of American culture and lifestyle.

Please note that astronomy sites found within the Olympic Peninsula area can be found with the Olympic Peninsula Loop. But this will cover the remaining areas.

Length	1,550 miles
States	3 – Oregon, Washington, and California
Astronomy Sites	25

Astronomy Sites

Along Highway 101, there are a variety of campsites in each of the states that one will travel through.

Washington

Leadbetter State Park and Willapa National Wildlife Refuge

Leadbetter Point State Park is a 1,732-acre natural area open for day use. The park features beach frontage on the Pacific Ocean and Willapa Bay. The adjacent Willapa National Wildlife Refuge has about 5 miles of ocean beach and several miles of bay beach. There are a plethora of wildlife, beaches, and areas for astronomy.

Oregon

Please be aware that all beaches are considered state property and close at sunset.

Fort Stevens State Park

One of the nation’s largest public campgrounds, Fort Stevens marks the site of a military installation once used to guard the mouth of the Columbia River. The fort saw service for 84 years, from the Civil War to World War II. Fort Stevens is a 4,300-acre park offering a variety of recreation adventures, including camping, beach-combing, a freshwater lake, trails, wildlife viewing, and an historic shipwreck. The large park has a plethora of astronomy opportunities for viewing the skies and taking DSLR photography of the nights sky.

Ecola State Park

Wrapping around Tillamook Head, between Seaside and Cannon Beach, Ecola State Park stretches along 9 miles of coastline and offers outstanding sightseeing and recreation opportunities combined with a storied past.  Though the scenic and hiking opportunities may be the main allure, the diversity of outdoor recreation, which makes Ecola State park a destination year round. These scenic 9 mile of coastline provides a plethora of astronomy opportunities for viewing the skies and taking DSLR photography of the nights sky.

Thor’s Well

Although very dangerous, Thor’s well is a great place for viewing the stars and photograph the skies.

Heceta Head Lighthouse

Perched atop 1,000-foot-high Heceta Head, the lighthouse is one of the most photographed on the coast. The light atop the 56-foot tower was first illuminated in 1894. Its automated beacon, seen 21 miles from land, is rated as the strongest light on the Oregon coast. The lighthouse provides a great view of the Western skies, which makes for great views of the skies.

Yaquina Head Lighthouse

Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area extends out from the Oregon coast, one mile into the Pacific Ocean. Standing 93 feet tall at the westernmost point of the basalt headland, the lighthouse has been a bright beacon of the night, guiding ships and their supplies along the west coast since the light was first lit on August 20, 1873. The natural area provides a great area to do some great astronomy, which includes DSLR photography of the Milky Way and viewing the stars.

Canon Beach

Canon Beach is a small town along the Oregon Coast, and is a lovely place for DSLR photography and viewing the stars.

Harris Beach State Park

Located on Oregon’s rugged south coast, Harris Beach offers a splendid seascape for sightseers, several trails, and miles of sandy beaches and rocky outcroppings to explore. From the day-use area, enjoy beachside picnicking with a picturesque view of the sea stacks dotting the ocean, including the largest island off the Oregon coast. There are some great opportunities to take some amazing DSLR photos of the sky in the area.

California

In California, Highway 101 intersects with the Pacific Coast Highway, so some places found along this route will also be near the PCH if it is 1/2 way in-between the 2 locations.

Tolowa Dunes State Park

This park takes in some of the finest wetlands habitat on California’s northern coast. An ancient sand dune complex that has evolved into several distinct ecological communities, Tolowa Dunes encompasses ocean beach, river, open and vegetated sand dunes, wooded ridges, and wetlands. The park is a fabulous place to see wildlife, especially birds. This is also a great place for viewing the stars.

Redwoods National and State Parks

The Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP) are a complex of one national park and three state parks, cooperatively managed, located in the United States along the coast of northern California. Comprising Redwood National Park and California’s State Parks: Del Norte Coast, Jedediah Smith, and Prairie Creek, the combined RNSP contain 139,000 acres, and feature old-growth temperate rainforests. There are often star parties and other events for night sky viewing and photography that are available, such as https://www.nps.gov/redw/learn/news/star-party.htm.

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park

Part of the Redwood National and State Parks, the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is the last in a long string of redwood parks that stretch up Northern California’s coast. It is located few miles inland from the ocean and is a great place for viewing the forests and stargaze.

Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park

Part of the Redwood National and State Parks, the Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park is a great place for viewing the forests and stargaze. It has some rugged cliffs with some of the most tortured, twisted, and mobile rocks of the North American continent.

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

Fifty miles north of Eureka, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park protects sandy beaches and open meadows grazed by magnificent herds of Roosevelt elk. Ferns cascade down canyon walls. Lush stands of the world’s tallest living tree species, the coast redwood, stand in primeval majesty. The beaches and meadows provide great stargazing and astrophotography opportunities.

Angelo Coast Range Reserve

The Angelo Coast Range Reserve is located in the Northern Outer California Coast Ranges, in Mendocino County, Northern California. The 7,660-acre reserve includes a section of the Eel River, which was sold the land to The Nature Conservancy in 1959. The wide expansive wilderness provides many outdoor activities including stargazing.

Elkhorn Ridge Wilderness

Encompassing 11,112 acres in Mendocino County, the wilderness has 2 major forest types encompassing the area; the mixed evergreen forest and the redwood forest. Late-successional and old-growth stands of Douglas-fir are scattered throughout the area. The expansive wilderness provides a great opportunity for stargazing.

Mendocino National Forest

Located in the Coastal Mountain Range in northwestern California and comprises of 913,306 acres, the Mendocino National Forest is the only national forest in the state of California without a major paved road entering it. With such a large area, the forest is a great place for outdoor activities and viewing the skies.

South Cow Mountain OHV Recreation Area

South Cow Mountain OHV Management Area consists of approximately 23,000 acres of public land that is managed for off-highway vehicle (OHV) use. The wide land use means great visual stargazing and DSLR photography opportunities.

Lake Sonoma Recreation Area

When full, the lake has a surface area of more than 2,700 acres and 50 miles of shoreline, forming the perfect setting for a wealth of recreational activities. This plethora of opportunities for outdoor activities, also provides a plethora of opportunities for stargazing around these shoreline.

Point Reyes National Seashore

Point Reyes National Seashore is a 71,028-acre park preserve located on the Point Reyes Peninsula in Marin County, California. As a national seashore, it is maintained by the US National Park Service as an important nature preserve. Some existing agricultural uses are allowed to continue within the park. All of the park’s beaches were listed as the cleanest in the state in 2010. The views of the ocean and sky provide a plethora of astronomy opportunities.

Henry W. Coe State Park

Henry W. Coe State Park is the largest state park in northern California and protects and preserves 87,000 acres of scenic hills and mountain ridges in the Diablo Mountain Range. This largely undeveloped park welcomes backpackers, equestrians, mountain bikers, day-hikers, and anyone seeking solitude in a nearly untouched setting. The wide acreage and outdoor activities means that stargazing and DSLR photography has a plethora of options.

Pinnacles National Park

Pinnacles National Park is an American national park protecting a mountainous area located east of the Salinas Valley in Central California, about 5 miles east of Soledad and 80 miles southeast of San Jose. The park’s namesakes are the eroded leftovers of the western half of an extinct volcano that has moved 200 miles from its original location on the San Andreas Fault, embedded in a portion of the California Pacific Coast Ranges. Pinnacles is managed by the National Park Service and the majority of the park is protected as wilderness. The park does take steps to protect the night sky, and there are wonderful stargazing opportunities.

Lake Nacimiento

Famous for its miles of pristine shoreline, Lake Nacimiento is a top destination near California’s central coast. Located at the mid-way point between Los Angeles and San Francisco, the area offers fun and adventure for the entire family. Guests can enjoy multiple activities at the lake and its surrounding oak and pine forests including water sports, fishing, hiking, camping, lodging, wildlife viewing, astronomy and more. The miles of shorelines provide a great opportunity for different views of the sky and stars, which also provides a great opportunity for DSLR photography.

Montaña de Oro State Park

This park features 8,000 acres of rugged cliffs, secluded sandy beaches, coastal plains, streams, canyons, and hills, including 1,347-foot Valencia Peak. Naturalists and backpackers enjoy the solitude and freedom found along the park’s trails. There are also mountain biking and equestrian trails. The best-known beach is Spooner’s Cove, across from the campground. The park’s name, “Mountain of Gold,” comes from the golden wildflowers that bloom in spring. Wildlife in the park includes black tailed deer and the black oystercatcher. The park includes primitive and equestrian campsites. The 8,000 acres also provides a wonderful astronomy base for those looking to observe and photograph the sky.

Los Padres National Forest

Los Padres National Forest includes most of the mountainous land along the California coast from Ventura to Monterey, extending inland with elevations range from sea level to 8,847 feet. The forest is approximately 1,950,000 acres in area, of which 1,762,400 acres or about 88% are public lands; the rest are privately owned inholdings. There are a plethora of options for outdoor options and astronomy viewing and photography options for the visitor.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

The Santa Monica Mountains offer easy access to surprisingly wild places. Experience the famous beaches of Malibu or explore more than 500 miles of trails. The park abounds with historical and cultural sites, from old movie ranches to Native American centers. The area also serves as a great place for viewing the sky and photographing it.

Camping/Lodging

These are just a sampling of the available locations, not every single camping option for those traveling along Highway 101.

Nehalem Bay State Park

This is located in Oregon. The park has 306 campgrounds, which one can reserve up to 6 months in advance. It is a great place to camp as it sits between the bay and the ocean.

Fort Stevens State Park

One of the nation’s largest public campgrounds, Fort Stevens marks the site of a military installation once used to guard the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon. The fort saw service for 84 years, from the Civil War to World War II. The campsites are reservable 6 months in advance, as the the park has 521 campgrounds available.

Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park

The main campground features 55 sites with electrical and water hookups, and two yurts. Some sites border China Creek. The park’s secluded tent sites are located uphill from the main campground. These seven sites are a short hike from the tent parking area and share a restroom with flush toilets. The campsites are reservable 6 months in advance.

Oregon Dunes National Recreational Area

For camping, look for the areas along the Siltcoos River are traditional campgrounds and easy trails along the river and to the beach. OHV users will find developed and dispersed camping opportunities. For other camping areas, check out Tahkenitch, which has easy access off Hwy 101. Tahkenitch has traditional campgrounds provide lake access for boaters and dune access for hikers only.

Bullards Beach State Park

Located in Oregon, Bullards Beach is a large, family-oriented park located at the mouth of the Coquille River, two miles north of Bandon. The campground is nestled among shore pines and protected from strong ocean breezes. Campground is accepting reservations up to 6 months in advance at oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com. There are more than 200 total campsites, including 103 full-hookup sites, 82 electrical sites with water, and 13 yurts. 6 of the 13 yurts are pet friendly.

Cape Blanco State Park

Located at Oregon’s westernmost tip, and perched over the Pacific Ocean, Cape Blanco features a 19th-century lighthouse and an early Irish settler’s home. The sheltered campsites work as a great base camp while you enjoy the park’s history, trails and rugged coastline. The park has more than 60 campsites, which can be booked up to six months in advance at the site, oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com. there are 52 electrical campsites with water and 4 reservable standard cabins.

Harris Beach State Park 

Located on Oregon’s rugged south coast, Harris Beach offers a splendid seascape for sightseers, several trails, and miles of sandy beaches and rocky outcroppings to explore. While some campsites are open year round, some camp loops close for the winter. Camping in C loop is first-come, first-served only Nov. 1– May 24. Reservable sites can be booked up to 6 months in advance at oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com. There are 65 full-hookup sites, 25 electrical sites with water, 59 tent sites with water nearby, and 6 yurts. Of the 6 available yurts, 3 are pet friendly and 1 is accessible.

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is the last in a long string of redwood parks that stretch up Northern California’s coast. A few miles inland from the ocean, the park is densely forested with huge ancient trees. The campground has 106 beautiful campsites along the Smith River and set among towering redwood trees.

Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park

Mill Creek Campground, located south of the State Park, has two loops have 143 sites without hookups. For details and site-specific camping reservations.

Humboldt Redwoods State Park

In this expansive park to view redwoods, there are more than 250 family campsites in three different campgrounds, plus environmental camps, group camps, trail camps, and a horse camp. Visitors will be able to reserve campsites and lodging six months in advance from the current date. Bookings may extend from the arrival date to the desired departure date – based on availability and the park’s maximum stay rules. Maximum allowable stay in individual campsites is 15 nights. Hike and Bike campsites no more than 2 nights of consecutive use.

Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area

Visitors will be able to reserve campsites and lodging six months in advance from the current date. Bookings may extend from the arrival date to the desired departure date – based on availability and the park’s maximum stay rules. The expansive recreation area has 2 campgrounds, Hickey and Rock Creek campgrounds, 1 of which is set aside specifically for hikers and bikers on food. There are more total of 150 campsites on the recreation area that available for campers.

Henry W. Coe State Park

Drive in camping is available at the Coe Ranch Entrance campground at the end of E. Dunne Avenue. The campground is located on top of an open ridge at 2,600 feet, has views across the ridges and canyons of the backcountry and into the southern part of Santa Clara Valley. Each of the 19 drive-in campsites has a picnic table and fire pit with a grill grate. Check with the CA State Parks and Recreation website for more information.

Pinnacles National Park

Pinnacles Campground is accessed only from the east side of the Park as there are no connecting roads between the two entrances of Pinnacles. The campground offers tent and group camping, along with RV sites. Each tent and group site has a picnic table and fire ring. Most RV sites have electrical hookups and share community tables and barbecue pits. Water is located throughout the campground. Oak trees provide shade at many campsites. Coin-operated showers and a dump station are available. Tent and RV sites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance, and group sites can be reserved up to 12 months in advance. There are a total of 134 sites, more info can be found at the NPS site.

Montaña de Oro State Park

A primitive campground in the canyon behind the Spooner Ranch House offers 47 campsites for tents, trailers, or motorhomes. The vehicle length limit for all trailers and motorhomes is 27 feet. Tables, firepits, drinking water, and primitive toilets are nearby. There are no showers or dump stations. More information can be found at the park brochure.

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