Nehalem Bay State Park Beach
Nehalem, OR
Nehalem Bay State Park sits on a long sand spit between the ocean and Nehalem Bay, with beach access on one side and calm bay water for crabbing and clamming on the other. A paved bike path runs the length of the park, connecting the campground to the beach without ever touching the highway.
The bay side and ocean side give it two genuinely different things to do, but the spit's length means real distances between the campground, beach, and bay.
How we score beachesBring a bike if you're camping here. The path to the beach is nearly two miles from the far end of the campground, too far to enjoy as a walk with kids or gear.
A day use fee applies at the park entrance; the beach lot is a separate stop from the campground.
A paved path leads from the day use lot to a boardwalk over the dunes, then sand.
Leashed dogs are allowed throughout the park.
Summer, June through September, is the busiest camping season and the driest window for the beach and bay activities alike.
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