Nehalem Bay State Park extends across a narrow 4-mile-long spit between the Pacific Ocean and Nehalem Bay. The 890-acre park combines the beach with sandy dunes and a Pacific Northwest forest with shore pines.

This beautiful combination creates spectacular scenery that attracts outdoor enthusiasts, including campers, anglers, hikers, equestrians, and nature lovers. You can see elk and deer wandering around the trees along with various birds, including snowy plovers.

Day-use area visitors have two options: one with bay access and another with ocean access. There are picnic tables with fire rings and restrooms. The bay-side site has a boat ramp.

Park offers access to Nehalem Bay, Nehalem Beach, and Manzanita Beach, as well as many other spots worth a visit!

There are two day-use areas with picnic areas and fire rings.

Interestingly, Nehalem Bay State Park is also an airport. It has a unique 2,400-foot airstrip that allows visitors to arrive by air.

Nehalem Bay State Park - Things to Do

Hiking, Biking, and Horse Riding

The best way to see and take in the beauty of the ocean, bay, and forest is to hike, bike, or ride a horse on the park trails. There are three major trails.

Nehalem Bay Trail - an easy 3.6-mile out-and-back trail begins at Nehalem Bay Jetty Trailhead from a picnic area at the road end and runs along the bay.

Nehalem Spit Jetty Trail - moderate 5.2 miles out-and-back sandy path from Nehalem Bay Jetty Trailhead through a grassy foredune to the North Jetty.

Nehalem Bay Bike Trail - a 2-mile loop trail, partially paved and graveled, with a trailhead at the parking area at the main campground.

A guided horseback ride on the beach is available from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Call 971-237-6653 to reserve your beach ride.

Fishing & Crabbing

Easy access to the ocean and the bay attracts fishing, crabbing, clamming, boating, and kayaking enthusiasts.

The park is a favorite destination for anglers who come here for bottom surf fishing, including perch and rockfish, in spring and early summer. Nehalem Bay, the fourth-largest bay in Oregon, is popular with Chinook and Coho salmon.

Check current fishing regulations on the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife website.

Mushroom Picking

Nehalem Bay State Park in the fall is a productive place for mushroom picking.

Most commonly, you can find King Boletes and Slippery Jacks.

Check mushroom harvesting regulations for Oregon State Parks.

The main campground sits right in the pine forest and has 265 sites with electrical and water hookups (no sewer hookups), plus 18 yurts, five of which are wheelchair accessible and nine pet-friendly. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring.

A primitive horse camp has 17 sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and corrals. A hiker/biker camp is located near the park entrance.

A primitive fly-in camp on a first-come, first-served basis features an adjacent airstrip and six sites. Each site provides space for an aircraft.

There is a playground for kids.

Reserve your campsite here

Small coastal towns nearby such as Manzanita, Wheeler, and Nehalem offer comfortable lodging and vacation rentals.

Lodging at Nehalem Bay

Affordable vacation rentals for short and long term stay at Nehalem Bay