While trundling up the 101, we had the opportunity to stay at more than one unique boondocking spot. We’re no strangers to casino stays. A little less common is when boutique businesses open up their lots to travelers. Blue Heron Cheese Company is one such business. It’s an adorable delicatessen and cheese shop with a huge parking lot welcoming travelers.
What to Expect at Blue Heron French Cheese Company
When we arrived in the spring, we saw that they had a large gravel parking lot, and a large gated-off grassy field. We parked in the back as far as we comfortably could and, following the instructions on their website, checked in. While we originally planned to only stay 2 nights and move to a national forest spot several miles north of town, we were able to extend our stay to a whole week by asking nicely. We didn’t move to the other spot around Crook Creek, as it was both full, with camping limited to a number of spaces like California’s Yellow Post dispersed camping, and it was unsuitable for our rig, with sites being small, heavily treed, and very muddy. Score another point for scouting in the toad!
There are no hookups or even places to fill or dump at Blue Heron. Come full, and do not dump anything. Also, no outdoor cooking or setting up of tents or clams. While the company is welcoming, it’s not a campground.
While we were there, they opened up the grassy field, and newly arrived rigs parked back there. The field was marked off in a grid, and the webpage indicates these are numbers and guests are expected to “Stay inside the lines.” The staff didn’t make us move (we asked) which is another reason why it pays to be polite!
Things to Do at Blue Heron French Cheese Company
The Blue Heron French Cheese Company is mostly a lovely tourist shop. They have an assortment of unique candies, wines, cheeses, and tchotchkes from the area and around the world. However, they also have a delicatessen with a selection of salads and made-to-order sandwiches that, while pricey, are delicious. We got a light lunch there one day to “pay for our stay” as well as picking up a bottle of chocolate-infused red wine for Mom and Dad to share later (it was excellent!).
Outside, the Blue Heron French Cheese Company hosts a small petting farm with goats, alpaca, peafowl, and more. Scattered around the perimeter of the property is a menagerie of antique vehicles, from farm tractors to fire engines. The website also mentions outdoor entertainment, but we were outside of the season for that.
In the area, there are two major things to do. Tillamook Creamery is just a few minutes north, and offers free self-guided tours through their “museum loft” (for lack of a better term). The coast is also minutes away, with access to many beaches. The town of Tillamook is well-developed with an assortment of parts stores and grocers for your restocking needs.
So whether you’re taking the scenic route north and need a break, or you and your traveling companions are dyed-in-the-wool turophiles, the Blue Heron French Cheese Company has something for you!
