Campgrounds and RV parks near Bayside Gardens, OR

Crabbing is the headline activity on Nehalem Bay. Kelly's Brighton Marina rents boats and pots, and staff will cook and clean the catch on site, which makes it a workable first-time outing for families. Brighton Marina and RV Park and Jetty Fishery Marina and RV Park offer similar dock access, bait, and rentals. Inside Nehalem Bay State Park, a paved 1.8-mile bike path runs through shore pines with views of the bay, and a short walk over the dunes reaches the open beach. Kayaking, clamming, surf fishing, and beach horseback rides are all common. A bayside boat ramp and seasonal docks, typically mid-May to mid-October, handle launches. Day trips work well from Bayside Gardens: Manzanita village to the north for dining and shops, Oswald West State Park for coastal hikes, and the Tillamook Creamery to the south.

Summer, roughly late June through early September, is peak season. Sites at Nehalem Bay State Park fill quickly, beach weather is most reliable in late July and August, and boat docks, kayak outfitters, and horseback ride operators are all running. Book as early as the six-month window allows. Spring and fall are quieter shoulder seasons with cooler temperatures and frequent rain, but they remain good windows for crabbing, clamming, and wildlife viewing. From March 15 through September 15, a Snowy Plover Management Area south of the main day-use beach restricts dogs, bicycles, kites, and drones to protect nesting western snowy plovers; signs mark the boundary, and foot or equestrian traffic is limited to the wet sand. Winter brings heavy rain, wind, and storm-watching weather. The Nehalem Bay campground stays open year-round, but boat docks are removed from October through May to protect them from storm damage, and some private marinas run reduced hours. Pack rain gear, expect mud, and check Highway 101 conditions before driving.

Expect a cool, damp coastal climate even in summer. Mornings are often foggy, afternoons can be windy on the open beach, and ocean water stays cold year-round. Pack layers, rain shells, and warm sleepwear regardless of season. Sites at Nehalem Bay State Park have water and electric hookups, paved spurs, fire rings, and tables, and the park has dump stations near the entrance. Sites sit close together with limited privacy under shore pines. Cell coverage is generally good. Only one RV per site is allowed, and extra vehicles incur a nightly fee. Private marinas on the bay are smaller, more parking-lot in style, and built around crabbing access rather than seclusion. Bring crab pots or plan to rent, check Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife shellfish rules before you go, and watch tide tables for safe crabbing and clamming windows.