State park · North Oregon Coast · Oregon

Nehalem Bay State Park

Nehalem Bay State Park is an Oregon State Parks campground on a sand spit between Nehalem Bay and the Pacific on the north Oregon coast, about 90 minutes south of Astoria. The setting is genuinely unusual: you camp on a narrow strip of land with ocean on one side and calm bay water on the other, with the beach a short walk west through the dunes and kayaking on the bay side. It suits RVers who want an open, big-sky coastal campground with electric service, and it is one of the larger parks on this stretch of coast.

Nehalem Bay State Park at a glance

Hookups Electric + water
Sites 265 electrical sites
Max RV length Exact site
Cost $29–$70
Fees 2026 range varies by date and residency; $10 booking fee.
Reservations Up to 6 months
Season Year-round
Amenities Hot showers, flush toilets, dump station, bike/horse trails, airport strip for small aircraft
Cell signal Fair on Verizon; weak on other carriers

Source-backed: Official Oregon State Parks profile (checked 2026-07-26). Rates and site details change — verify with the operator before you book. Compare it with every other park we track in the price index.

Why RVers stay here

Nehalem Bay State Park is an Oregon State Parks campground on a sand spit between Nehalem Bay and the Pacific on the north Oregon coast, about 90 minutes south of Astoria. The setting is genuinely unusual: you camp on a narrow strip of land with ocean on one side and calm bay water on the other, with the beach a short walk west through the dunes and kayaking on the bay side. It suits RVers who want an open, big-sky coastal campground with electric service, and it is one of the larger parks on this stretch of coast.

Practically, there are 265 electrical sites with electric and water hookups (no sewer at the site, but a dump station), hot showers, flush toilets, bike and horse trails and even an airstrip for small aircraft. The 2026 rate range is $29-$70 depending on date and residency, with a $10 booking fee, and reservations open up to six months ahead, which you will need for July and August. It is open year-round and cell signal is fair on Verizon and weak elsewhere. The trade-off is exposure: sites sit in open grass with low vegetation and little privacy, and the spit catches Pacific gusts every afternoon, so secure your awning or keep it in.

  • Camping on a sand spit with the Pacific on one side and calm bay kayaking on the other
  • 265 electric-and-water sites with hot showers, flush toilets and a dump station
  • Open year-round with reservations up to six months ahead
  • Bike and horse trails, plus a separate horse camp section
  • Open sky and a sense of space that forested coastal parks lack
  • !Wind: the spit catches strong afternoon Pacific gusts, so awnings stay in
  • !Limited privacy in the open, grassy sites
  • !No sewer at the site; cell signal is fair on Verizon and weak on other carriers

What our guides say about Nehalem Bay State Park

Excerpts from the RV Parks Guide articles that cover this campground. Each links to the full guide.

Regional guide

Oregon Coast Camping: The RV Guide to 350 Miles of Public Beach

Nehalem Bay sits on a sand spit between Nehalem Bay and the Pacific, about 90 minutes south of Astoria. The setting is unique — you're essentially camping on a narrow strip of land with water on both sides. The beach is a short walk west through the dunes, and the bay side offers calmer water for kayaking.

Sites are in an open, grassy area with low vegetation. Privacy is limited compared to forested parks, but the trade-off is unobstructed sky and a feeling of openness that tree-heavy parks lack. The horse camp section is separate if equestrian traffic concerns you. Wind is the main challenge here. The sand spit catches Pacific gusts, especially in the afternoon, so secure your awning or don't deploy it. This is not a suggestion.

Read the guide →

Our verdict

Book Nehalem Bay if you want an open, electric-hookup coastal campground with beach and bay access on both sides; skip it if you need sewer, privacy or a sheltered site out of the wind.

Nehalem Bay State Park: frequently asked questions

Does Nehalem Bay State Park have full hookups?

No. Sites have electric and water hookups with no sewer at the site; there is a dump station in the park.

How much does Nehalem Bay State Park cost per night?

The 2026 range is $29-$70 depending on date and residency, plus a $10 booking fee, with the top of the range in summer and on weekends. Confirm the exact rate on the Oregon State Parks reservation system.

What is the max RV length at Nehalem Bay State Park?

Limits are site-specific on the reservation record; our Oregon coast guide notes sites up to 60 feet. Match your rig to the exact site when booking.

Do you need reservations at Nehalem Bay State Park?

Reservations open up to six months ahead and are strongly recommended for July and August.

Is Nehalem Bay State Park open year-round?

Yes, the park is open year-round.

How far is Nehalem Bay State Park from the beach?

The ocean beach is a short walk west through the dunes from the campground; the bay side is on the other side of the spit.

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