Nehalem Bay State Park, near Manzanita Oregon, is an inviting camping destination on the Oregon coast. The campgrounds offer shower and toilet facilities at no extra charge. Several hiking trails wind through the campground and along the peninsula that the State Park occupies. The very best offering of the park lies just over the sand dune that shelters the campgrounds from the strong ocean breezes. Nehalem Beach extends more than five miles, from the north end of the town of Manzanita south to the north jetty of the Nehalem River. U.S. Highway 101 passes through Manzanita just 27 miles north of Tillamook, Oregon.
Nehalem Bay Campgrounds
The campgrounds of Nehalem Bay State Park are composed of six loops identified by letters. Each campsite has a fire pit and can accommodate recreational vehicles or camp trailers and have room for two tents. All 265 sites have electrical outlets and water. Four bathroom and shower stations are spread throughout the park and are convenient to all campsites. A dump station for RVs is located near the park entrance and is clearly signed. The campground also offers 18 yurt sites. A yurt is a round tent with a wood frame. Each yurt sleeps up to five people and is equipped with a bunk bed and a sleeper sofa. The yurts also have electric heaters and lights, and a fire pit right outside.
Seventeen horse campsites located south of the main campground offer accommodations for up to four horses and riders each. Limited horse stalls are provided. The official Oregon State Parks website for Nehalem Bay State Park has a very nice park brochure. Reservations, which are required for camping at Nehalem Bay State Park are made through Reserve America.
Nehalem Beach
Nehalem Beach is on the west edge of the Nehalem Spit. Nehalem Spit is the peninsula that Nehalem Bay State Park and the community of Manzanita set on. Nehalem Beach sand is soft and excellent for building sandcastles. The sound of wind and waves from the beach lulls campers to sleep nightly. The afternoon wind on the beach can blow hard and a windbreaker or jacket make watching the sunset more comfortable. Campfires can be built on the beach below the high tide mark.
Nehalem Bay
Many bays along the Oregon Coast offer crabbing and Nehalem Bay is no different. The bay provides opportunities for fishing, crabbing, and even clamming. The Jetty Fishery can provide all the equipment needed for retrieving dinner from Nehalem Bay. The Jetty Fishery is at 27550 Hwy 101 North in Rockaway Beach, Oregon. The Jetty Fishery website details the services they offer.
Nehalem Bay’s calm waters offer excellent kayaking conditions. The north fork of the Nehalem River presents numerous opportunities for wildlife viewing. The Wheeler Marina, rents kayaks and other types of boats.
Around Nehalem Bay
The community of Manzanita is adjacent to Nehalem Bay State Park. Manzanita has a grocery store for camping needs and a comfortable family restaurant. Cannon Beach, Oregon, is 16 miles north of Nehalem Bay State Park and is the location of the intriguing Haystack Rock. The tide pools around Haystack Rock are accessible by foot during low tide. The tide pools are home to an array of starfish and anemones.
The camping facilities at Nehalem Bay State Park are open year round. Reservations can be made through Reserve America up to 9 months in advance. Reservations for the yurts are difficult to secure, and the campgrounds are typically full during summer weekends. The weather is typically cool with the warmest month being August. A rain resistant wind breaker is nice to have on-hand at any time.
Carl Hoffman - Carl has a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration and is retired from the Nevada National Guard.
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