Tillamook State Forest spans over 364,000 acres of coastal forest with elevations ranging from 500 to 3,600 feet. Winter temperatures average 34-45°F with summer ranges of 65-85°F, creating distinct camping seasons from May through September. Most forested campsites near the Nehalem River remain cool even during summer heat waves, with morning fog common along coastal glamping locations close to Tillamook State Forest.
What to do
Crabbing experiences: 5 minutes from camp: At Jetty Fishery Marina & RV Park, visitors can rent crab traps and try their luck on the dock. "You can rent items to go crabbing or just eat some of their fresh clams, oysters and crab. We did a bit both! Staff is friendly and hard working," notes a camper who enjoyed the seafood harvesting activities.
Biking the Banks-Vernonia Trail: The paved regional trail runs through Dairy Creek West — L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park, creating an excellent cycling opportunity. As one visitor shared, "Aside from the sites, the park has many hiking trails of varying length, access to the Banks-Vernonia State Trail, several disc golf courses, cabins, a horse camp, a day use picnic/event area and a hike-in camp area."
Hiking Nehalem Falls Loop: A short 1.2-mile trail follows the river through old-growth forest. According to a Nehalem Falls camper, "The entire hike is a pretty easy and birding opportunities are many. Views of an old railroad/camp and plenty of spots to stop and take it all in as well as picnic."
Fort Stevens historical sites: Military history buffs can explore concrete batteries and museums just 45 minutes from Tillamook State Forest. "Visiting the forts and cannons are fun. Bring mosquito repellent!" advises one Fort Stevens visitor who appreciated the historical aspects.
What campers like
Quieter alternatives to state parks: When main campgrounds fill up, smaller options provide solitude. "Truly one of our favorite campgrounds in the Pacific Northwest. All of the campsites are very nice," reports a regular at Tillamook State Forest Nehalem Falls Campground, where the sites remain more secluded than larger state parks nearby.
Ocean sound backdrop: Coastal campers praise the natural soundtrack. A camper at Nehalem Bay Trailer Park noted, "The sound of crashing waves on the ocean was the constant background sound for this family and pet friendly campground."
Free beach wheelchairs: Some coastal sites near Tillamook State Forest provide accessibility options. "Park Rangers are very friendly and helpful with any issues with your site. Our electric hookup stopped working one morning and was fixed before lunch by rangers. Campground has beach wheelchair check out available for free during your stay!!"
Winter storm watching: For off-season glamping close to Tillamook State Forest, weatherproof accommodations make storm season exciting. "Super friendly beach camping sites on the Oregon Coast- cabins are safe and stormproof for great storm watching in winter/spring months. Steps from tidal pools means great beach combing in dry weather!" explains a Cape Lookout State Park visitor.
What you should know
Reserve early for summer: Popular sites fill months ahead. "We've been living in Oregon forever but never visited this park. Very nice setup with yurts right across the drive from RVs in loop A. I would imagine that this park is crowded all summer but right now in February it is very quiet," explains a Nehalem Bay camper highlighting the stark seasonal differences.
Mosquito preparation: Bring repellent for forested areas, especially May-August. Multiple reviewers mention insects, with one noting "Ensure you wear clothing suitable for wet hiking" when exploring trails near camping areas.
Road noise varies by campground: Highway proximity affects some sites more than others. A visitor at Tillamook Bay City RV Park reported, "The CG itself is very quiet, but there is a fair bit of road noise from US-101, which runs right next to the CG."
Tide awareness for beach access: During high tides, beach disappears at some locations. "Look up the tides though, since there's such a short beach to the water, during high tide the beach disappears. But we used that time to go on a nice hike part of the way to cape lookout overlook instead," advises a Cape Lookout camper.
Tips for camping with families
Group camping configurations: Some sites work better for multiple families. At Wright's for Camping, "The spaces are very close to each other so if you're looking for a lot of seclusion this won't be the site for you. They are strict about quiet hours and you must wear headphones listening to music. If you're looking for a campsite to party heavily... I would recommend another space. This is better suited for families with young kids."
Playground assessment: Quality varies significantly between campgrounds. A parent reviewing Fort Stevens noted, "We just got back from our week long camping trip and like always it was fun. So much for kids to do from exploring, riding bikes, fishing and going to the amphitheater for some stories."
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for sites with specific child activities. "There is a clean laundry room located on the south side that has 6 machines each and uses a kiosk to pay. The cost per wash and dry was $2 each," mentions a reviewer at Thousand Trails Seaside, adding context about practical family needs when camping with children.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup options: Most coastal sites offer 30-amp, but 50-amp is limited. At Fort Stevens State Park Campground, "The north side is the only side that has 50A power. The south side is all 30A." This distinction matters for larger RVs with multiple air conditioning units.
Cell coverage reports: Connectivity varies dramatically by location. As one reviewer noted about a campground near Tillamook, "AT&T coverage was fair, ranging from 1-2 bars of LTE with speeds up to 2 MB/s. The CG WiFi was descent, with speeds up to 1.2 MB/s. We were able to get DISH coverage on all three western satellites at our site."
Site leveling requirements: Some spots need significant adjustments. "The gravel site was not level, and we had to use blocks," reported a long-term RVer, providing practical information for those traveling with larger rigs to glamping sites close to Tillamook State Forest.
