Best Campgrounds near Bay City, OR

Bay City, Oregon provides access to a variety of campground options along the northern Oregon coast. Tillamook Bay City RV Park offers tent, RV, cabin, and yurt accommodations within easy reach of the beach, while Kilchis Park provides a quieter riverside setting about 12 miles east of Highway 101. The surrounding area includes established campgrounds at Cape Lookout State Park and Nehalem Bay State Park, both offering developed sites with amenities like showers, picnic tables, and fire rings. Most campgrounds in this coastal region accommodate both tent and RV camping, with several also featuring cabins or yurts for those seeking more comfortable accommodations.

Coastal weather patterns significantly impact camping experiences near Bay City, with summer offering the most reliable conditions from June through September. Winter camping remains available at many year-round facilities but requires preparation for rain, wind, and cooler temperatures. Most developed campgrounds in the area require reservations, particularly during peak summer months when sites fill quickly. Cape Lookout and Nehalem Bay State Parks provide excellent beach access but tend to be crowded during summer weekends. A visitor noted that Cape Lookout offers "steps away from a beautiful, expansive beach" and recommended booking early for summer campsites.

Campers consistently highlight the wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the region's campgrounds. Nehalem Bay State Park receives particular praise for its natural setting, with one camper reporting, "A family of deer visited us every single morning/night during our stay." Barview Jetty County Campground, located between Rockaway Beach and Bay City, offers proximity to tide pools and beach access, with visitors mentioning elk sightings in the early mornings. While most campgrounds provide standard amenities like showers and toilets, site privacy varies considerably. Cape Lookout features more wooded sites with foliage between campsites, while other facilities have more open layouts with less separation between neighboring campers. The region's mixed-use campgrounds balance natural coastal settings with convenient access to nearby towns and attractions.

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Best Camping Sites Near Bay City, Oregon (164)

    1. Cape Lookout State Park Campground

    107 Reviews
    Netarts, OR
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 842-4981

    $27 - $117 / night

    "I would pick a site that isn’t next to the bathroom trail or you’ll have someone walking through your site every 5 minutes. Each site is Steps away from beach access."

    "Steps to the beach? ✅ In the forest? ✅ Access to amazing hiking? ✅ Private? ✅ We love Cape Lookout for all the diverse scenery it has to offer."

    2. Nehalem Bay State Park Campground

    87 Reviews
    Manzanita, OR
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 812-0650

    $27 - $74 / night

    "We definitely didn't try to interact with them, but they were comfortable to roam right around our site which was a really magical experience

    • Nehalem Bay is such a beautiful area and the State Park"

    "Mostly an RV park tucked into the Nehalem Bay peninsula, this does offer a couple dog friendly yurts and some very friendly camp hosts."

    3. Barview Jetty County Campground

    53 Reviews
    Rockaway Beach, OR
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 322-3522

    $38 - $56 / night

    "Cool location near the ocean. Walking or biking to the jetty was fun. The jetty offers a unique landscape. The RV and camp sites are solid. Some really good ones, and others very basic and open."

    "Close to the tide pools in Barview, right on the beach, on the entrance to Tillamook Bay. Large clean bathrooms with several hot showers."

    4. Netarts Bay RV Park & Marina

    10 Reviews
    Netarts, OR
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 842-7774

    "Fun spot on the Oregon coast.  Very clean.  Loved the spaces, cement pads for your outdoor living.  Good Wi-Fi.  Friendly staff."

    "I enjoyed walking my dogs out to see the birds, crabbers, and seals. I was there in a low season month and it was extremely peaceful."

    5. Harborview Inn and RV Park

    7 Reviews
    Bay City, OR
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 322-3251

    "In the cute little fishing town of Garibaldi, on the Oregon Coast, we found this gem of an RV park."

    "Public boat ramp conveniently located next door. Short walking trail is a great place to get sunset photos. Rockaway Beach is a short drive away."

    6. Kelly's Brighton Marina

    13 Reviews
    Wheeler, OR
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 368-5745

    "Most of the campsites are on the north end of the marina on a grassy area with trees where you can drive up to the site."

    7. Tillamook Bay City RV Park

    8 Reviews
    Bay City, OR
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (503) 377-2124

    "The GC itself is very quiet, but there is a fair bit of road noise from US-101, which runs right next to the CG. There is a grassy dog area, along with a mowed path between their wall/fence and 101."

    "Not a bad drive into Tillamook. A little further to some nice beaches and state park areas. Friendly staff. Decent amount of road noise."

    8. Old Mill RV Resort

    7 Reviews
    Bay City, OR
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 322-0322

    $50 - $350 / night

    "The annual "Sunsets and Crabs" event by the Teardroppers of Oregon and Washington has been held here for a several years, and it is an amazing event."

    "Other than that it’s a decent camp ground in a great spot on the Oregon coast and a dry camp spot was only $26. Hard to beat that!"

    9. Kilchis Park

    6 Reviews
    Bay City, OR
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 842-6694

    $26 - $35 / night

    "We had the opportunity to visit this park while working our way home form the Oregon coast. Access is just south of Bay city and north of Tilamoock of Hwy 101."

    "Easy access to the river and close to Tillamook and all it has to offer. The park host was very nice and helpful and they had lots of dry wood."

    10. Twins Ranch LLC

    5 Reviews
    Bay City, OR
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (541) 418-1460

    $25 - $45 / night

    "If you have a kid who loves history, the Oregon Trail, Little House on the Prairie, and dressing in character, this is your spot!  Even during Covid! "

    "Fishing is also really close by at Bayview Jetty.. All in all a good experience with my family"

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Recent Reviews near Bay City, OR

1227 Reviews of 164 Bay City Campgrounds


  • GG Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Siuslaw National Forest Dispersed Camping

    NOT dispersed camping! Not free! This is an ATV ohc recreation site

    Not a dispersed camping area. There are several sites with fire pits but most are not accessible because of the deep soft sand and you can see signs of people getting stuck. There's a camp host and when we visited it was $5 a night. It's loud because of ATVs and no alcohol is allowed. Accessing the ocean is a long hike.

  • GG Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Nehalem Bay State Park Campground

    Lots of amenities

    Typical paid campground with hookups, firepits, and tables in every site. Sites are way too close together imo but I typically do dispersed camping. There's showers, trash, dog poop bag stations and easy access to the beach although it's a bit of a climb up the sand to get to the water

  • P
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Namastay Right Here Coastal Haven

    Slug Haven

    This is a great spot if you're in need of an easy escape from the campgrounds world. Didn't plan ahead like we did they probably are available! Privately owned land with two flat spots (named: Light & Sublime) carved out of their mountain haven - long distance views of the ocean through the woods + ocean sunset experience! No rite rings just a simple carved out location to spend the night. $45 cash (preferred) the Slugs came out to greet us in the morning - slugs are a good omen for us so they bring us a lot of joy.

  • Shawn P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Premier RV Resort

    Happy Camper

    The staff have been really nice. And they put on fun events. Looks like they have short term and Long term sites. Very close to beach access.

  • A
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Hebo Road

    Good Spots Up the Mountain

    The exact coordinates for this spot are in a no camping zone so I wouldn’t recommend making the drive all the way up to it.  We camped off of the paved road on the way up the mountain off one of the dirt roads. Not a bad spot though but saw plenty of people. There was a bear in the morning which was cool.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Barview Jetty County Campground

    Beautiful campground

    Almost perfect campground… the bathrooms were gnarly. For 54 bucks a night I was expecting better on that side of things… other than that this site rules

  • Steve M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Nehalem Bay State Park Campground

    Excellent location and great price but no privacy at all between campsites

    One very tall Sand Dune away from the ocean, and a very nice calm they to kayak in or lunch boats from. Very clean facilities and constant surveillance so very safe here. Very nicely maintained and dump station near the front although I don't know if they charge. They sell ice and firewood come and water from the spigots at each camping location is potable.

  • B
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Cole Mt Ridge

    Good spot

    The coordinates did not take us to the exact spot, but the pin on the map was the closest, it’s actually to the left on the dirt road. You’ll see a tiny dirt road going up hill and that’s the spot. Had some trees that had been chopped down and a fire pit area. Definitely could fit a couple cars up in that area. We arrived around 7pm and stayed the night. It’s about 25 minutes from Cannon Beach. The view of the mountains was nice!

  • Ragamuffin U.
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Chinook Winds RV Parking

    So Far, Safe Sleeing

    73 yo solo lady van dweller dry parking in safe environment at Chinook Winds Casino RV Parking


Guide to Bay City

Camping near Bay City, Oregon offers visitors access to diverse landscapes from coastal shores to wooded river settings. Located on the northern Oregon coast, the area experiences average annual rainfall of 90 inches, with most precipitation occurring between November and February. Winter temperatures typically range from 35-45°F while summer brings milder 60-70°F temperatures, making campground selection important for year-round comfort.

What to do

Crabbing access: 100 feet from site: At Harborview Inn and RV Park, campers can try their hand at catching Dungeness crab with minimal travel required. "Great location for a walk around and from the RV Park with the marina and harbor areas providing great views," notes Patrick J. Several local businesses rent crab rings and nearby docks provide ideal locations.

Pedal cart railroad adventures: Located near Twins Ranch LLC, Rail Riders offers unique pedal-powered carts that travel on old railroad tracks. "You can rent a cart that you pedal for a 2 hour tour on the old railroad tracks... a little Spendy at $30 per person," explains Debbie. Reservations recommended during summer months.

River access for fishing: Kilchis Park provides direct access to river fishing within walking distance of campsites. "Lots of fishermen there when we stayed so there is good fishing near by," reports Christi C. The river runs alongside the campground, making it easy for anglers to spend early mornings or evenings on the water.

What campers like

Wagon camping experiences: Twins Ranch offers covered wagon accommodations for a historical overnight experience. "If you have a kid who loves history, the Oregon Trail, Little House on the Prairie, and dressing in character, this is your spot," shares Heather. The wagons include two futon mattresses and sleep up to four people for approximately $45 per night.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Harborview Inn and RV Park offers excellent wildlife observation, particularly marine life. "We enjoyed walking my dogs out to see the birds, crabbers, and seals," writes Pilar F. Early mornings provide the best viewing opportunities when harbor activity is quieter.

Natural play areas: Kilchis Park features extensive play options for children of various ages. "We had kids from 1-10 and they all stayed busy over a 4 day stay. The playground is very nice for all ages," states Christi C. The park also includes a large field for games and easy river access for exploration.

What you should know

Shower facilities vary widely: Pay showers are common at several facilities. At Barview Jetty County Campground, "Showers are available, there are three private unisex showers at each restroom complex, but they are pay-showers. The rates are reasonable starting at $0.50 for 4 minutes and each additional quarter adds 2 minutes."

Seasonal crowd patterns: August brings peak crowds to coastal campgrounds. "We spent a week at Kelly's over the 4th of July holiday weekend and week. Lots of campers in and out, but Kelly brought in plenty of clean port-a-potties and kept them that way all weekend," reports Kristina G. Weekday camping generally provides more space and quieter environments.

Weather impacts: Coastal wind affects the camping experience significantly. One camper at Nehalem Bay State Park Campground suggested: "We had a place along the wedge and it appeared to be less windy. That's totally anecdotal, though." Mid-summer provides most consistent weather patterns.

Tips for camping with families

Seek campgrounds with large, multi-tent sites: Many Bay City area campgrounds accommodate multiple tents on one site. "Site big enough for 2 good sized tents and the hosts were very nice," mentions Cha C. about Kilchis Park. This arrangement works well for families bringing separate tents for parents and children.

Consider coastal dune exploration: Cape Lookout State Park Campground provides excellent dune exploration opportunities near camping areas. "We usually don't visit during the summer and even when a portion of the site is closed (sand accumulates on 'A' loop) we haven't felt like it was over packed," notes Nathan R. These natural play areas keep children engaged without additional equipment.

Find multi-generational camping spots: Several campgrounds support extended family gatherings. "Generations of memories" is how Melissa N. describes Barview Jetty County Campground. "Our family would do family campouts year after year. Now my cousins and our kids and grandkids repeat the tradition with excitement."

Tips from RVers

Consider site configuration: RV spaces vary significantly between parks. At Netarts Bay RV Park & Marina, "Spots 1-27 are the tightest I have ever seen, so try to avoid them. 52-58 are right on the Bay, and pretty sizable," advises Josh H. Research specific site measurements before booking.

Plan for limited WiFi connectivity: Internet access remains inconsistent throughout the area. Julie F. notes about Netarts Bay RV Park: "There is 'wi-fi' available, but you can only use it for email? Part of why we choose RV parks from time to time vs a state park or dispersement camping is to have access to amenities such as water, power, sewage and wi-fi."

Check road conditions for larger rigs: Access roads to some campgrounds present challenges for larger vehicles. At Kilchis Park, "The road is narrow, be carefull if pulling a large trailer or RV," warns Tom N. Most parks near Highway 101 provide easier access than those requiring travel on county roads.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Bay City, OR?

According to TheDyrt.com, Bay City, OR offers a wide range of camping options, with 164 campgrounds and RV parks near Bay City, OR and 19 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Bay City, OR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bay City, OR is Cape Lookout State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 107 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Bay City, OR?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 19 free dispersed camping spots near Bay City, OR.