Nehalem Bay State Park has a split personality. On one side this campground faces a picturesque, recreation-rich bay and on the other side there's a long, sandy, ocean beach with scenic Neahkahnie Mountain in the background. There are two worlds available at this State Park. Do you want a primitive campground, or one with hot showers and flush toilet? Need a boat ramp and water for boating, crabbing and fishing, or sand dunes for hiking, bike and horseback riding?
Looking for something different? Here are a few adventurous choices to try at Nehalem Bay.
-Try beachcombing and find possible treasures that include chunks of beeswax from 16th century Spanish merchant ships, agates, occasional glass floats and maybe a sand dollar or two.
-Bring your own horse or rent one from the horse concession. It operates in the day-use area during the summer.
-Observe nature around the park by keeping an eye out for coyote, deer, elk, a variety of birds and other wildlife.
-Attend an interpretive program from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
-Junior Ranger activities for youngsters (ages 6-12) are offered every morning.
-Summer Shakespeare in the park.
-Guided tide pool walks on the beach.
-Crabbing and fishing.
On the north coast of Oregon, just south of Seaside and Cannon Beach you'll find Nehalem Bay State Park. Off US 101, 3 miles S of Manzanita Junction, the physical address is 9500 Sandpiper Lane, Nehalem, Oregon.
There is year-round camping at the park with amenities like two hundred and sixty-five electrical sites with water, eighteen yurts, fire ring at all sites, hot showers, flush toilets, seventeen primitive site horse camp, hiker/biker camp, airport camp with six primitive sites (for fly-in campers only), RV dump station, three campsites with universal access and all eighteen yurts are accessible to campers with disabilities.
While the campground is open year round, from October 1-April 30, you can camp for less and probably do it on the spur of the moment. This time of year is called the Discovery Season and most state parks participate. Summer rates are higher and you definitely need reservations. Yurt rates are the same all year.
And what is a yurt? It's a cross between a cabin and a tent. Yurts are round, canvas covered wood structures. They have a deadbolt on the door and come equipped with heater, beds, light and table. The floors are elevated off the ground on a wood platform so they stay dry, no matter the weather. Just roll out your sleeping bag or make the bed with blankets and you're ready to go. There isn't a kitchen, nor is there a bathroom, you are still camping.
This campground has a meeting hall that accommodates fifty people. Great for all-weather gatherings like family reunions or club meetings. Reservations are recommended.
Bird song, the sound of ocean waves, and the whisper of the wind are a few of the sounds of Nehalem Bay State Park, sunsets over the ocean just one of the views. There are so many things to do at this park, or you can sit and do nothing but meditate. Enjoy the often-reported serenity of this place. Online reviewers of the park list serenity frequently in their comments.
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