Nehalem Bay State Park

North America » United States » Oregon » Portland
May 22nd 2006

Published: May 28th 2006

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Rovers2

Our Site

This is Home for May.

The Park is on the northern coast of Oregon, and occupies a peninsula with Nehalem Bay on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. On the upper third of the peninsula, which is about 3 miles long and 1/2 mile wide, are located a campground, a day-use area with beach access, and an airstrip. The Park has 265 campsites with water and electrical hookups, 6 campsites at the airstrip for fly-in campers, several tent sites for hikers and bicyclists and 18 “Yurts”. A Yurt is a circular tent (approximately 15’ in diameter) with a wooden frame and floor and a large partially-covered deck with picnic table. They are quite nice and are very popular, especially with tent campers on rainy nights. Finally, there is a horse camp with 17 primitive sites, each with 2 corrals, a fire ring and a picnic table.
The lower two thirds of the peninsula has been left undeveloped, except for a dirt/gravel path down to the point. This part of the Park has elk, coyotes, lots of deer and, at the southern tip, seals. Fishing, oystering, and clamming is very popular on both the bay side and on the wide sandy beaches of the

A Typical RV Site

The Pacific Ocean is about 100 yards down the path at the rear of the RV pad.

ocean side.

Adjoining the Park to the north is the quaint little village (population 590) of Manzanita, squeezed in between the Park and the seaside cliffs of Mt. Neahkahnie. It is a really neat little town that doesn’t seem to have gotten as caught up in the commercialization frenzy that has beset many coastal towns. It’s an easy bicycle ride or walk down the beach from the campground, and is a favorite of campers (as well as campground hosts). Along with the other hosts, we have become regulars at the Manzanita golf course. It is a nice 9 hole course which is well suited to my game because of the wide fairways (more margin for error).

We are one of six couples volunteering as hosts. Our duties consist of greeting and registering visitors, cleaning yurts, selling firewood, and helping to keep the grounds clean. We also help with miscellaneous projects, such as painting signs, mowing, etc. The hosts have become a very close-knit group. We have nightly happy hour campfire gatherings and frequent golf outings, walks on the beach, etc. The park rangers appreciate the volunteers and do their best to make it a pleasant experience. All in

Our "Office"

This is where visitors sign in.

all, it has been a great experience in a very beautiful spot. Although we like to spend time in new places, we like it here so well we have decided to sign up for another month here next year.

Additional photos below

Photos: 17, Displayed: 17

A Typical "Yurt"

There are 18 of these in the Park. They each have a double bunk bed, a futon, a table with 4 chairs, a picnic table and electric lights and heat. They rent for $27 per night.