Nehalem Bay State Park
By Erin Bernard
Published: 06/06/2014  Updated: 08/09/2019
Nehalem Bay State Park features campground and day use areas on a four-mle long sand spit with ocean on one side and Nehalem Bay on the other.
Nehalem Bay State Park features campground and day use areas on a four-mle long sand spit with ocean on one side and Nehalem Bay on the other.  Photo by Gary Hayes

This 900-acre coastal park offers a diverse landscape prime for fishing, hiking, camping and more.

This picturesque spot is located a hop and jump from the charming enclaves of Manzanita, Wheeler and Nehalem. It's practically bursting with the ocean's bounty and, if you're lucky, you could head home with a fresh-caught seafood dinner.

Nehalem Bay State Park is a 900-acre family favorite perched along a four-mile sand spit of rolling dunes covered with softly waving sea grass. Top-notch views plus an easy-to-access bay and ocean make this a fine place to catch a sunset and enjoy the pleasing vista of Neahkahnie Mountain.

Two day-use areas offer up plenty of options for fun. Head out on foot and explore endless trails, or pack the bikes and get a gander of coastal flora and fauna as you cycle along a two-mile bike path. The views are stunning and you're likely to spot a variety of local wildlife.

Bring your kayak and explore this corner of the coast from the water, watching out for signs of the strange treasures that occasionally emerge from the salty depths of Nehalem Bay, including chunks of beeswax and other relics from an earlier time when trade flourished in this area. Kick back with your fishing pole and see what surfaces, or devote an afternoon to crabbing and clamming. There's also overnight camping, primitive horse camping and an airstrip for campers who prefer to arrive as the crow flies.

Nehalem Bay State Park is located along the Nehalem Spit, just west of Nehalem Bay.
Nehalem Bay State Park