LINCOLN CITY ELKS LODGE, LINCOLN CITY, OREGON

Our Opinion: Recommended. A lovely green park 2 miles inland from the beach. Private; you must be an Elk to stay here.

Date of Stay: July 27-August 1, 2009, and stay over the July 4th holiday in 2007.

Weather During Stay: The Pacific Northwest is experiencing a heat wave, with excessive heat warnings issued by the weather service. Our highest temperatures were in the low 80’s, dropping to more usual normals (upper 60’s and low 70’s) later in our stay.

Sites: Approximately 40 RV sites on level grass in two parking areas. Each site has (unreliable) 30 amps and water. The majority are suitable for big rigs, and sites are reasonably roomy even when all sites are occupied. All sites are back-ins.

There are a couple of picnic tables here and there, and a convenient, double, dump station. Two moderately clean restroom buildings with showers are available.

Rate: $18 per night for electricity and water. Dump included in camping fee, although a donation is welcomed.

Phone/radio/TV: Strong Verizon phones and aircard signal. About half the sites (especially those in the south parking area) have no obstructions to block TV satellite. No TV stations using the TV antenna. Local NPR on 89.3.

Elevation/Landscape/Terrain: Flat, level parking in a green park next to a small river. The Elks Lodge is several miles away in Lincoln City; this park is owned by the lodge and used for parties, weddings and BBQ’s - and RV parking. Large expanses of mowed green grass with groves of HUGE trees shading about half the park. Kids’ playground, small enclosed pavilions. Elevation is sea level. Views are of other rigs, grass, trees, and a forested ridge that separates the park from the beach a couple miles to the west.

Lighting/Noise: The lodge is far from any busy streets so, unless the park is being used for an event, it is very quiet at night. We park in the south parking area (more open for satellite reception) where there is NO night lighting - absolutely dark. There may be some night lights in the east (closer to the road, more shaded) parking area.

Favorite Sites: Parking is in two separate areas, with about half the spaces in each. Parking in the east area, along the perimeter of a large gravel oval, is more shaded, nice in summer - but care would be needed to insure satellite reception. Parking in one of the two rows of sites in south area is in full sun - usually a good thing, but it can be hot in the summer. We have been in site 26B on both visits.

Hiking/Walking: Walking around the park is very pleasant, but limited in length. We drive the few miles over to the beach, where walking is unlimited. There is a wonderful trail about 10 miles away in the forest, Drift Creek Falls - well marked if you decide to go.

Comments: Reservations are accepted at this lodge, and recommended in the busy summer months. This is an appealing park that would rate a RAVE if the electricity was reliable. Our EMS box kicks our power off each morning and afternoon when the voltage in the park drops below 104 as all the campers turn on their coffeepots and electric heaters in the morning and AC or microwaves in the evening. We run on the inverter until the voltage climbs again - not a problem, but an annoyance.

This park has a host, an older man who is no doubt a member of the Lincoln City Elks Lodge. He lives on-site in a mobile home. A female relative (niece?) with NO people skills and what appears to be a drinking problem is “assistant manager”. We heard several complaints about her erratic and unsociable behavior during our stay, and experienced it ourselves.