Tillamook's camping spots offer diverse experiences from coastal to inland forest settings. Most inland campgrounds in the Tillamook State Forest sit at elevations between 400-800 feet above sea level, creating cooler microclimates than coastal sites. The region receives approximately 90 inches of annual rainfall, resulting in lush forest campgrounds with dense undergrowth between sites at places like Jones Creek and Kilchis Park.
What to do
Crabbing at Netarts Bay: The marina at Netarts Bay RV Park & Marina rents crabbing equipment and provides direct bay access. "Cozy, friendly and an amazing view of the Netarts Bay. Bonus is RV park comes with nice cafe where you can indulge yourself with nice breakfast," notes visitor Taka.
Tidepooling near Cape Lookout: Walk to tidepools about half a mile from Barview Jetty County Campground. "I have only stayed in the tent sites here... Tidepools are about .5 mi away, close enough to walk," reports camper Kelly P.
Hiking the Wilson River Trail: Access the trailhead directly from Jones Creek campground for a morning trek. "There is a trailhead for the Wilson River trail within the campground which makes for a great early morning hike," writes camper Stephanie Z.
Horseback riding on the beach: Multiple campers at Nehalem Bay State Park Campground mention beach horseback riding as a must-do activity. "Great dune area. Always horses riding on the beach too. Super neat experience," says Jamie B.
What campers like
River swimming access: Jones Creek campers appreciate the easy water access for cooling off. "The river is where it's at, folks are swimming, tubing and fishing dawn to dusk. Folks jumping off the bridge and having picnics," notes Aria R.
Private campsites at Cape Lookout: Many campers value the separation between sites. "For the most part, trees and bushes are substantial enough to make your site feel like you have your own sanctuary (we might be introverts)," explains Nathan R.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Nehalem Bay offers frequent wildlife encounters. "There is a two mile bike/walking path through the woods and along the bay. The beach is only a five minute walk away," writes camper Smittie.
Oregon Trail experience: Twins Ranch LLC offers unique covered wagon camping. "If you have a kid who loves history, the Oregon Trail, Little House on the Prairie, and dressing in character, this is your spot! My kids went on walks and collected berries, leaves, buds and lots of memories," shares Heather.
What you should know
Limited cell coverage: Cell service is non-existent at several locations. At Pacific City, one camper notes: "We have absolutely no cell service at the campground and the Free Wifi has been non-existent. But we found a nice little library in town that has free WiFi for when we need to get some work done!"
Early arrival recommended: Many campgrounds fill quickly, especially on summer weekends. "I showed up around 3pm on a Friday and was barely able to find a walk-in tent site. All the car-accessible sites were taken," reports Christi L. about Jones Creek.
Site spacing varies widely: At Kilchis Park, sites offer more room than typical coastal parks. "Due to COVID-19 every other campsite was empty otherwise this campground would be only 6' on each side apart," notes Robert D.
Shower facilities: Some campgrounds charge for showers. At Barview Jetty, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Kilchis Park offers excellent facilities for children. "We had kids from 1-10 and they all stayed busy over a 4 day stay. The playground is very nice for all ages. Bathrooms are clean and updated," reports Christi C.
Sand dune exploration: Barview Jetty features a large dune that kids love. "I spent many a year at this campground, letting the kids (who am i kidding, me) run up and down the big sand dune and play on the tree at the top!" shares Richelle H.
Historical learning: The covered wagons at Twins Ranch provide educational value. "What a unique experience to have the opportunity to spend a night in a rustic covered wagon! Especially fun for families with kids," says Tanya B.
Bike-friendly loops: Nehalem Bay offers paved areas for young cyclists. "Good paved loop for kids to ride bikes. All stores are back in but there's a decent bit of room between stores, especially compared to some PNW coast campgrounds," notes camper C.M.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many sites require significant leveling. At Pacific City, one camper warns: "Every spot we saw was so un-level that my trailer couldn't compensate enough to have a comfortable stay."
Pull-through availability: At Netarts Bay RV Park, "Has a few pull-troughs for smaller set-ups, back in for the rest. Our spot (smaller pull-through) was pretty flat. Spots are kind of close together but if just for a night or if camping with friends it's just fine."
Site angles matter: At Barview Jetty County Campground, "The RV and camp sites are solid. Some really good ones, and others very basic and open... they are angled such that you're not looking in each others' windows."
Television reception: For those wanting to stay connected, "We were able to get DISH coverage on all three western satellites at our site. There were 11 OTA channels to be had with our fixed omni antenna," reports one camper at Bay City RV Park.
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