Oregon Coast Backpack By Bus Camp

As a public transportation advocate who has enjoyed camping trips my whole life, I felt drawn to try backpacking by bus to the Oregon Coast when I discovered it was possible.

Oregon State Campgrounds have low-cost hiker/biker areas (maximum 3 night stay) and a number of bus services run between Oregon's Willamette Valley and the Coast. The 60X bus between Salem and Lincoln City is operated by a consortium of counties called the NW Connector.

The 60X bus runs 7 days a week with regular but limited schedule of round trips. Refer to the website for current updates and/or call the office during its open hours. I've been taking day trips on the 60X for over a year and have only had one (significant) mishap, so always maintain your sense of adventure. On the whole, it is a remarkably reliable and affordable way to visit the Oregon Coast from Salem.

After arriving at the final 60X destination in Lincoln City at the Chinook Winds Casino, the next public transport step is taking the Lincoln City Loop Bus to the Devil's Lake Campground along Hwy 101. There is no official stop there so just tell the driver that's where you're going and you'll be let off at 6th Street and Hwy 101 across from the Lincoln City Cultural Center. Devil's Lake Campground is down a slight hill from the Cultural Center.

A note about the Lincoln City Loop Bus:
Again, as in most travel situations, include patience, resilience, and a sense of adventure as your commendable companions. Public transportation along the Oregon coast does have challenges for both providers and patrons. Even among the locals, it can be confusing.

First of all, be aware that the Lincoln City Loop Bus does not run on Sundays or past 5:30 pm on any night. The regular Lincoln County line is an option for Sunday and evening hours but runs are limited.

This NW Connector page is the primary online resource for the Lincoln City Loop schedule:

This NW Connector page is the primary online resource for the regular Lincoln County schedules:
The various schedule options are at the top middle of the page in dark blue.

The very best information option for Lincoln City/County transit information is to call during business hours. This is the phone number: REQ = 📞 Call in stop 541-265-4900
This is also the number to call when leaving Devil's Lake Campground to return to the 60X bus stop back to Salem. Since Devil's Lake is not a regular stop, patrons must call at least an hour in advance to schedule it there. I can attest that this works and that the dispatcher I spoke with a number of times was very helpful and patient. Do Call, even just to get oriented initially!

About the Devil's Lake Campground itself, the accommodation and location were ideal for me. The staff were great! In the video, there was a brief slot where I was the only camper so could capture the area as vacant. But even with other biker/hikers, the atmosphere was courteous and enjoyable. The majority of other campers were bikers, mostly from Europe, so it was a pleasure just being around them.