Port of Newport RV Park South Beach Marina Oregon Review

The Port of Newport RV Park & Marina is located on SE Marine Science Dr on the south side of Yaquina Bay in Newport, Oregon. This is my unbiased review after staying here on multiple occasions.

This RV park is a convenient place for an overnight stay on the way down the Oregon Coast. Even better, settle in and check out the Newport area and all it has to offer. The Port of Newport RV Park is a great spot for a home base to explore the town of Newport and the Central Oregon Coast.

We have stayed for weeks at a time at this park and plan to return this summer. 

I like the good location because of the close proximity to Newport attractions and dining, and Oregon coast recreational activities. 

My husband is most excited that we can stay so close to the marina, where he moors his fishing boat in a marina slip. After a long day of salmon, rockfish, or halibut fishing, he can walk over to the trailer and kick back. 

Facilities

The main RV park has 92 paved spaces with room for big rigs and long 5th wheels. About half the sites are pull-through and half back-in. The max RV length is 60 feet. 

RV sites in the main RV park have full hookups (water, sewer, 30 or 50 amp service, cable TV) along with “limited” wifi.

The Port of Newport Annex is across the road from the main park next to Motel 6. This “overflow” section has 52 back-in gravel sites and also has full hook-ups. 

There is also dry camping in the paved parking lot and an unpaved overflow lot. (These sites have no hookups. There is a dump station near the Rogue Distillery).  

There are clean and well-maintained bathrooms, showers and laundry facilities. 

The Port of Newport Marina & RV Park is dog friendly. There is no enclosed dog area, but there are plenty of places to walk the dog. There are numerous dog waste receptacles with bag dispensers. 

Reservations

Check in is easy and convenient with a spacious check-in parking lane at the RV park office. After hours check-in is also easy. 

Note: Port of Newport RV Park & Marina, South Beach Marina & RV, Port of Newport Annex, and Newport Marina RV Park are all the same business. There is one RV park office and one phone number. The Port of Newport manages the RV parks as well as the commercial marina and recreational marina. 

Book online reservations at https://www.portofnewport.com/online-reservations and choose main park, annex, or dry camping. For weekly or monthly reservations, call the office at 541-406-0461 or 541-867-3321.

Book ahead if you’re visiting in the peak season of June-September, or the Seafood and Wine Festival in February. (There is an additional event surcharge for the festival dates).  

Things to Do

There is a lot to do right from the RV park. 

The Oregon Coast Aquarium and Hatfield Marine Science Center are within easy walking distance. 

Walk over to the picnic table bunkers with an amazing view of Yaquina Bay. Check out the enormous ocean research vessels of NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. You can usually hear the sea lions barking across the bay at the bay front. 

Take a walk along the Yaquina Bay Estuary Trail. (No dogs allowed).

Walk out on the Public Fishing Pier where you can watch the boats coming in and out of the bay. And of course, do some fishing or crabbing. 

Walk across the soaring Yaquina Bay Bridge for fantastic views of the Bay and Pacific Ocean beyond the jetty. 

Camp Store

Whether you’re fishing or not, the nearby Newport Marina Store is a great place to pick up drinks, snacks, tackle, bait, ice and souvenirs. The friendly staff can help with questions and fishing and shellfish licenses. (The Newport Marina Store is not run by the Port of Newport, and can’t help you with the RV park or marina moorage).

The Newport Marina Store also offers fishing charters, crabbing boat rentals, crab ring rentals and a crab cooker. 

Newport’s Yaquina Bay is one of the best places for crabbing on the Oregon Coast. I discuss crabbing further in this article. 

Critique

The Port of Newport RV park does have a few shortcomings. There are no fire pits or picnic tables. There are no trees and the grass is kind of sad looking. No RV washing is allowed because of city water restrictions. The wifi is pretty slow, especially when the park is full. (There is decent cell service). But none of these complaints are annoying enough to keep us from coming back to this marina RV park year after year. 

There is no direct beach access from the RV park, but it is a 5 minute drive to South Beach State Park or Nye Beach. There are also several other beaches and state parks within a few minutes of Newport. 

Nearby Activities

The nearby city of Newport has many attractions, dining and shopping. There are several grocery stores, including Fred Meyer, Walmart, Safeway and IGA. Fresh seafood is available for purchase at the South Beach Fish Market, just south of the RV park on Highway 101. Across the bridge in the Bayfront, you can buy fresh seafood at the Fish Peddler, Local Ocean Seafood, or right off some of the boats in the commercial marina. Look for signs. 

Newport’s Historic Bay Front is fun to explore, with cute little shops, restaurants, and docks full of sea lions.

Nye Beach also has shops and restaurants, as well as an art gallery and performing arts center.

Overall, the Port of Newport RV Park is a good place to stay in Newport for anyone exploring the coast. This park will suit fishermen and families alike.

Leave a comment if you have any questions for me or comments about the Port of Newport RV Park and Marina.