Places to camp just west of Eugene, OR?

[LeCollectif]

(Hi all. First post. I quickly looked through to see if there was an introduction thread, but couldn't find one. Please point me in that direction if I've missed it.)

I'm riding from Eugene to SF this summer. I live in Vancouver BC, so I'll be busing down that far and starting from there. Problem is, there isn't a bus or train that leaves Vancouver at night--only in the am. So no matter which way I cut it, I'm getting into Eugene in the evening. That doesn't give me much time to get to the first H/B site in Florence. I couldn't find any closer H/B sites, so I was wondering if anyone knows of any decent stealth camping close to Eugene (but west of, so that I'm not back tracking).

I tend to avoid hostels. And getting a hotel room is a last resort.

[indyfabz]

If you are willing to stay at a non-h/b spot, there appears to be several campground/RV parks in and around Eugene.  Go to Google maps, type in "eugene orgeon campgrounds."  While several of them are RV oriented, they might do in a pinch.  West of the Eugene, in Junction City, is Richardson Couny Park:

http://ecomm.lanecounty.org/Parks/ViewPark.aspx?p=1

Not cheap, but close and in the direction you want to go.  And there is a private campground right near by,

[staehpj1]

We managed to stay at a marina in Eugene.  A self proclaimed "grouchy old man" we met in Veneta, Bill called ahead and set us up.  I don't want to post his name here, but PM me if you want it.  It might be out of the way for you though.  I forget, but think it might have been

Alternately I think I remember some state game lands west of Eugene on the North side of the road.  It looked like they would be pretty easy to stealth camp in.  I don't recall very well and it might have been West of Veneta.

Also Eugene and maybe Veneta are probably big enough to have a few warmshowers hosts.

Edit:
I just checked and it looks like Eugene has about 30 Warmshowers.org hosts and Veneta one.  I think if it was me and I was in your situation I'd start contacting them.

I think the marina that we stayed at might have been Fern Ridge Marina and if so it is West of Eugene and really closer to Veneta (maybe 10 miles west of Eugene).  You might try contacting them.  The more I think about it the more I am sure that is the one.  FWIW they didn't charge us to stay, but that may have been because of Bill setting us up.

Oh and yea after thinking about it I am pretty sure the game lands were west of Veneta.

[adventurepdx]

Richardson County Park:
http://ecomm.lanecounty.org/parks/ViewPark.aspx?p=1

Looks to be 15 miles west of Eugene Amtrak:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=25950+Richardson+Park+Road,+Junction+City,+OR+97448-9569+(Richardson+County+Park)&daddr=eugene+amtrak&hl=en&geocode=FXo9oQIdvlam-CGON2FxjNREMQ%3BFQM6oAIdd8Kp-Cm9KQ4XEh7BVDGjN4vATkpzTQ&mra=ls&dirflg=h&sll=44.088325,-123.207207&sspn=0.173851,0.308647&ie=UTF8&ll=44.087832,-123.207207&spn=0.173853,0.308647&z=12

It is a little out of the way (and a few miles north of 126), but it's in the general westerly direction to the coast.  Don't know what the park is like, since I've never been there.

EDIT: Oops, didn't notice that indyfabz also mentioned this park!

Closer to Eugene is Armitage Park:
http://ecomm.lanecounty.org/parks/ViewPark.aspx?p=4
It's only 5 miles from downtown Eugene, but it's due north.

Hope this helps!

[RedDog]

There is a B and B on Lorane hwy just west of Eugene and also if you take Smith River road to the coast (101) plan on a long day. About 10 miles from the coast is a campground. Bring food and plenty of water. This is a nice route.