Roxstock wrote:Let me know what you think of Nehalem campground
It's a really nice spot, but not much tree cover. You can kite a short walk from your camp site if you like Manzo style conditions. I'd pick Fort Stevens over it for kite camping.
One area I'd definitely hit up if I had a beefy 4x4 is Seashore Conservation Area State Park
https://goo.gl/maps/eEkPy5rAgfNXU7mF9It's just free camping on the beach but I think it has really good potential for both surfing and kitesurfing. It's also 1 hr shorter drive so a good stopping point.
I don't know how much time you have and how far you want to go but if you want something a bit different Bend, OR is 100% worth a few days. The green wave at the whitewater park is super fun and only 2 hr past Hood River:
https://www.bendbulletin.com/outdoors/webcamsI would also recommend doing a rafting trip on the Deschutes out of Maupin, OR, only 1 hr south of HR.
I've done the hwy 97 drive through Yakima and while it is different you should be aware that it's a whole different world. You will pass through sections where there is 0 cell reception for 2 hours and it's a hot high dessert climate if you break down you're screwed. There can also be 1-2 hour road closures throughout Snoqualmie in the summer. Yup they just shut down the whole fucking road in both directions.
I would only recommend taking the hwy 97 route if you are doing it for scenic reasons, not worth it for time savings. It's definitely an interesting part of the world. Washington state cowboys and Yakima Nation melting pot, kinda feels like going back in time.