Nehalam Bay Horse Camp
Location: 9500 Sandpiper Ln, Nehalem, OR 97131
Facilities: Restroom and hot shower in near-by people campsite, bathrooms too far to reach in middle of the night. Camp Site Amenities: Each campsite has a picnic table and a 2 or 4 horse corral, water spigots varied in distance to corrals, there is not a spigot per corral but a spigot per bunch of corrals. Site Type: Pull through and back-ins. Lots of trees that make it difficult to pull-through some of the official pull-through spots. Phone Reception: Full reception with ATT! Manure Dump-site: Wheelbarrow available, it is a longer walk to the manure dumping area, bring a significant other for this job! Water: Spigots available, but not associated with each site, bring at least a 100 foot hose or longer, the distance from spigot to corral really varied, site 16 had a long trek to the spigot. Footing: Rocky on jetty trail, boots best, sandy otherwise Website: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=142 Reservations: https://oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/nehalem-bay-state-park/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=OR&parkId=402191 |
Getting There
My first time trailering Sam here I took the shortest route on my phone from Portland to Nehalem Bay. This was not a good idea. From Portland my phone routed me 26 west to 53 south. 53 was an extremely windy road that is not great for pulling horse trailers. I was a little naïve because I had just moved from Colorado and every trailer ride in Colorado required driving up and down windy mountain roads. It was not the worst windy road I have driven on, and it was a short distance. However, the next time I hauled Sam I went around downtown Portland and took Hwy 26 to 101 and it was so easy!! Even driving through the coastal mountains was easy-peasy compared to going through the Rockies. Now, 2 years a Portlander I would not even dream of hauling down Hwy 53.
Must Brings
-Tide tables listing, www.usharbors.com/harbor/oregon/nehalem-or/tides/
-A portable loo or bucket, The hiker/rv camp loops have flush toilets.
There are porta potties in the horse camp, but who wants to use a porta potty at 2am!
-A very long hose to reach from the spigots to the corrals, at least 100 feet! (or water on your trailer)
I try to keep a stretchy 100 ft and 25 ft hose in the trailer that I can screw together if needed.
-Bring fly gear if it is in the warm season and not windy.
-Paddleboard or boat for non-horsey family, boat dock accessible on bay side
-Bikes! Always fun to ride around camp and around short bike path loop
-A portable loo or bucket, The hiker/rv camp loops have flush toilets.
There are porta potties in the horse camp, but who wants to use a porta potty at 2am!
-A very long hose to reach from the spigots to the corrals, at least 100 feet! (or water on your trailer)
I try to keep a stretchy 100 ft and 25 ft hose in the trailer that I can screw together if needed.
-Bring fly gear if it is in the warm season and not windy.
-Paddleboard or boat for non-horsey family, boat dock accessible on bay side
-Bikes! Always fun to ride around camp and around short bike path loop
Getting to Horse Camp from Main Camp
To get to the horse camp you have to drive through the people camp and keep heading south. If you reach the day use area you have taken a left instead of a right and are in the wrong place. The turn from the people camp into the horse camp is tight. It is a left turn, and there is an arrow on the pavement pointing the opposite way. The arrow made me confused. You do need to drive all the way through the rv and hiker people camp to reach the horse camp. The horse camp has a one-way driving flow to the left that loops through the horse camp. The driving route is shown in red in the next picture.
Horse Camp Sites Overview
Nehalam Bay is a wonderful place to relax, sit with your horse, walk on the beach or ride! The campsites vary so see the descriptions and pictures to get an idea of the differences between sites. Some are back-in and some are pull through and they all have little quirks. See the site list and pictures below to know what are the best sites for you.
Each campsite has 2 wood or 4 metal horse corrals. The corrals are really only big enough for 1 horse each. The wooden corrals are 10 x11 feet per horse, the metal corrals are closer to 12x12 feet. There are some really nice new metal horse pens at the sites on the outside of the loop. The wooden corrals are a little smaller than the metal corrals and the gate consists of a metal chain. If you want a newer metal corral, book a site on the outside of the main loop.
Each campsite has 2 wood or 4 metal horse corrals. The corrals are really only big enough for 1 horse each. The wooden corrals are 10 x11 feet per horse, the metal corrals are closer to 12x12 feet. There are some really nice new metal horse pens at the sites on the outside of the loop. The wooden corrals are a little smaller than the metal corrals and the gate consists of a metal chain. If you want a newer metal corral, book a site on the outside of the main loop.
Campsite Details(updated 12/2022)
Site 1 Back-in, 2 horse metal corrals, 40 foot driveway Site 2 Back-in although on the map it looks like a pull-through, 2 horse wooden corrals, 50 foot driveway, good angle for backing Site 3 Back-in, 4 horse metal corral, 45 foot driveway Site 4: Pull-through, wooden corrals, 100 foot hose needed from spigot to corrals, spigot between site 4&2, 62 foot driveway, no taller pole to hang tarp from Site 5 Back-in, 4 horse metal corrals, 62 foot driveway Site 6: Back-in, 2 horse metal corrals, 50 foot driveway Site 7 Back-in, 2 horse wooden corrals, 55 foot driveway Site 8 Pull-through, 2 horse wooden corrals, 60 foot driveway Site 9 Pull-through, 2 horse wooden corrals, can see horses at site 2, 50 foot hose worked from spigot to corrals, 52 foot driveway Site 10 Back-in, 2 horse wooden corrals, corral on the right is leaning due to a broken post, (12/2022), left corral is usable, 50 foot driveway Site 11 Pull-through, 2 horse metal corrals, 53 foot driveway, close to road to day use parking, easy pull-through for bigger rigs Site 12: Back-in, 2 horse metal corrals, 40 foot driveway Site 13 Pull-through, 2 horse metal corrals, 65 foot driveway, my new favorite site, close to trail to beach and manure pile Site 14: Back-in, 2 horse metal corrals, 50 foot driveway Site 15 Back-in, 4 horse metal Corral, 45 foot driveway Site 16: Back-in, long way from spigot, need 200 foot hose, 2 horse metal corrals, 50 foot driveway Site 17: Back-in, metal 4 horse corral, 40 foot driveway |
Water Spigots
The water spigots were not distributed very evenly among the sites. If you are in the inner loop there is probably a spigot within 100-200 feet but if you camp in the outer loop it is much farther. If you are in site 15, 16 or 17 you have to cross the road to get to the nearest spigot. If you are in 1,3, 5 or 6 you will also have to cross the road to get to the nearest spigot. Sites with good spigot placement are sites 2, 4, 9, 8, 13. Site 13, 2 and 9 are the closest to the spigots. This may not be an issue at all if you have a way to bring water to your horse corral. For me it is so much easier attaching a long hose with a y so you can fill your bucket at the corral and also allow other campers to use the spigot directly.
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Old Wooden Corrals
The wooden corrals remain on the sites in the inside of the loop. They are very worn and need to be replaced. To the right is a close-up of the metal chain that is the gate of the corrals. Some riders suggested bringing a stall guard to snap onto the eye hooks to create more of a visual and physical barrier. We camped in May of 2021 and the gnats were bad so Sam is decked out in his fly gear. The footing was gravel and easy to clean. I could see Sam from my bed in the gooseneck. The OET plans to replace all of the wooden corrals with metal corrals in 2023.
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Restrooms
The critical distances are the distance from campsite 9 to the flush toilets and hot showers which were located at the near-by human only campsite. 685 feet is 0.12 miles but it is way too far if you have to pee at 3am. So if you don't have a living quarters trailer, bring a bucket! There are biffys around the horse camp-site but they are closer but not ideal. Not as urgent, but below circled in red is the manure dumping site. Wheelbarrows are provided but it is still good exercise walking the manure to the bin.
Campsite Pictures
I typically have a panoramic picture followed by normal pictures. For videos of each site, please check my YouTube horse camp channel here.
Site 1 - The rocks are pretty natural dividers, I worry about having rocks make it harder to back a trailer into a set space
Site Video
Site Video
Site 3
Site Video
Site Video
Site 4 - pull through, 2 horse wooden corral, horses can see horses at site 9, spigot is on right side of picture
Site Video
Site Video
Site 9 - wooden corral - pull through, but large tree branches in way of pulling out, horses can see horses at site 4 through trees
Site Video
Site Video
Site 13 - Pull-through, 2 horse metal corral
Site Video
Site Video
Site 16 - Metal Corral, back in, long distance from spigot, trailer blocks view of other horses in camp, very close to trail entrance to go to beach. These newer corrals are much more secure and larger. They were put up by the Oregon Equestrian Trail group. The trailer parking position at site 16 blocked the horse's vision of the other horse corrals and horses walking by.
Site Video
Site Video
Day Use Parking
Day use parking is totally huge! Turning around is not a problem. There is a restroom, hitching posts some corrals and a very poorly kept round-pen/arena but the footing is deep sand and full of debris and I could not see riding a horse in it.
South of the "arena" by the beginning of the Jetty trail were some corrals. The corrals looked like they could be handy for a group ride or event. During the summer trail rides are operated out of the area and they may use the corrals for their string horses. I would be head over heels if we could camp here during the winter. There were 2 electric boxes. If I could run a heater, winter camping would be a real possibility. The horse pens were so much larger than the regular corrals and there was a large fenced paddock area that would be wonderful for grazing. Honestly I wish more horse camps were designed with areas like this. Larger corrals and a grazing paddock would be a game changer for horse camping. Electricity is always appreciated as well.
Dogs
If you camp in the summer and bring dogs just know that dogs are allowed on the beach, you just need to stay on the north end. This sign shows the red area where dogs are not allowed. From the horse camp walk north to be safe. This limitation only applies if you visit between March 15th - September 15th. If you visit in the winter you can run your dog all over the south section of the beach without worry.
Riding
Riding on The Ocean Beach
Option 1 - Hardest, 23A marker
Mileage: 5.3 miles (out and back)
Total Time: 2 hours
Ascent: 23 feet
After a few more camping trips I can see at least 3 options for getting to the beach. First, there is a trail headed west from the south end of campsite 15. I would rate this as the most difficult option but shortest distance from camp to the beach ocean-side. The distance to the beach is about 661 feet. What you can't tell from the picture below is the deep sand you have to go through to go down the dune area to go west to the ocean edge. We rode to the top of this hill and let our horses look at the ocean and hear the waves. There is deep sand to walk through to get to the firmer wet sand by the waves.
Ultimately I decided to dismount and lead Sam to the firmer sand. We walked for a bit, let him calm down and found the perfect log about a quarter mile south to use to remount. I am now on my 3rd trip to the beach and my riding goals have drastically changed. Now, my goal is to have my horse walk calmly and confidently down the beach. I no longer want an adrenaline filled reactive horse. I want a calm and connected confident horse. The dream of galloping down the beach is pretty misleading and really has a negative impact on the horse-human relationship. Any skilled rider can gallop their horse and manage to stay on, it is much harder to walk and stay calm and connected. To find the way back to the horse camp, look for the sign 23A. You can ride the whole 2.5-3 miles to the end of the jetty or you can do a shorter ride. You could also go and just hang out with your horse on the ground and enjoy the beach together.
Total Time: 2 hours
Ascent: 23 feet
After a few more camping trips I can see at least 3 options for getting to the beach. First, there is a trail headed west from the south end of campsite 15. I would rate this as the most difficult option but shortest distance from camp to the beach ocean-side. The distance to the beach is about 661 feet. What you can't tell from the picture below is the deep sand you have to go through to go down the dune area to go west to the ocean edge. We rode to the top of this hill and let our horses look at the ocean and hear the waves. There is deep sand to walk through to get to the firmer wet sand by the waves.
Ultimately I decided to dismount and lead Sam to the firmer sand. We walked for a bit, let him calm down and found the perfect log about a quarter mile south to use to remount. I am now on my 3rd trip to the beach and my riding goals have drastically changed. Now, my goal is to have my horse walk calmly and confidently down the beach. I no longer want an adrenaline filled reactive horse. I want a calm and connected confident horse. The dream of galloping down the beach is pretty misleading and really has a negative impact on the horse-human relationship. Any skilled rider can gallop their horse and manage to stay on, it is much harder to walk and stay calm and connected. To find the way back to the horse camp, look for the sign 23A. You can ride the whole 2.5-3 miles to the end of the jetty or you can do a shorter ride. You could also go and just hang out with your horse on the ground and enjoy the beach together.
Below left: Hand-walking Sam until his breathing slowed and he lowered his head.
Below Right: Practicing our bending for connection, so proud of Sam with his ear on me!
Below Right: Practicing our bending for connection, so proud of Sam with his ear on me!
Below left: Sam loves walking with the dogs
Below right: Sam's first beach experience with his buddy Bailey
Below right: Sam's first beach experience with his buddy Bailey
Riding on the Ocean Beach
Option 2 - Moderate, Marker 23B
Option 2 - Moderate, Marker 23B
Option 2 to get to the west side of the spit or ride along the beach was located at the day use area at the south end of the park. This trail is marked in purple. Walking down this trail it was sandy and narrow. The brush was taller than my head on both sides and the sand dunes were just as deep. This may also be a scary trail for a greener horse. When the trail forks, take either the right fork in red or the orange trail. The red trail will travel north to meet up with the people trail from the restroom. The red trail is longer through the dunes which has deep sand and it is hard to walk through. The orange trail is shorter but a little steeper. We went this way on a windy day and Sam got to the beach and told me a very strong "No". I agreed with him and we turned around and retraced our steps back to the day-use parking area.
Going west from the restrooms has a blue x. It was posted that no horses were allowed. Usually this is for safety reasons. However, you end up in the same place taking the horse trail from the Jetty Trail and the north or right fork. To come back this way from the beach look for the sign 23B. |
To get to the day use area from camp site 13 we walked past the manure pile into the day use parking lot. We rode this in the winter and there were a bunch of docks behind the manure pile. Your horse may find walking by the docks scary. You could avoid this by walking on the road or taking the trail from the south-east end of the horse camp. If you take this trail be prepared to walk through some deeper sand. I found this too hard and would rather walk past the docks or on the road.
Riding on the Beach
Option 3 - Easiest
Option 3 - Easiest
The 3rd way to get to the beach involves riding down the 2 mile Jetty trail to the south tip then taking a horse trail west to the beach. This is the easiest way to get to the beach without any big hills or deep sand. It is longer because you ride down the jetty 2 miles before getting to the beach. It is also wonderful because by the time you get to the beach your horse should be a little tired. The jetty trail is rocky and is best ridden with shoes or boots. I had Sam wear his hoof boots and clipped a back-pack to his saddle. When we reached the beach I dismounted and but his boots in my backpack. There was lots of drift wood to stand on to re-mount to ride down the beach. Dismounting is also a great time to check in with your horse. If your horse is spooky you can stand and watch the ocean for a while, hand-walk or do ground-work until your horse is safe to ride.
Nehalem Bay Jetty Trail
Total Miles: 5.4 miles
Total Time: 2 hours
Ascent: 34 feet
Total Time: 2 hours
Ascent: 34 feet
There were several offshoots along the east side of the trail that wound through the brush with views of the bay. The side-trails were numbered 1-5. Trails 1 and 2 connected in a nice loop and 3,4,5 were out and backs. I could not find an official trail-map on-line! I love my Gaia app as it showed me all the side-trails. It would be nice to have trail labels and mileage! The trail at the south end of the Jetty does go west and connect to the beach, the trail is shown in Gaia and you can see it using Google Maps satellite.
The trail from the jetty to the ocean was the easiest access trail for me and Sam. It was pretty flat and there were no big hills or drop-offs. It really helped that Sam had walked 2 miles before he had to walk along the ocean. We are still getting used to the waves and it was nice to have him a little tired. The other wonderful thing about this option is the very lack of beach traffic. Anyone walking from the hiker camp would have to walk at least 3 miles to get to the south end of the beach. We rode this trail in 12/2022 and there was no-one on the beach with us. To get back to camp you do have to go up the large hill with deep sand marked by the sign 23A or you can back-track and walk back down the jetty trail. Another option would be to ride the jetty trail and go east instead of west and ride along the bay. If you ride along the bay be aware of the tides. If you ride and it is low tide becoming high-tide you may run out of sand. |
Bay Side Ride
Our last morning we ended up walking down the road to the boat dock then getting on the beach for the bay. This was a great idea! No waves and no scary deep sand. We had a fun ride along the water's edge. There was a lot of drift wood to navigate and we saw some boats in the bay. You could ride from the bay to one of the jetty trail offshoots then ride back down the jetty trail or back-track and ride on the bay side beach. It is best to check the tide tables before riding on the bay or the ocean. Riding at low tide there is more beach and riding between high and low tide there is more wet sand to ride on.
Tide Tables
www.usharbors.com/harbor/oregon/nehalem-or/tides/
Tide Tables
www.usharbors.com/harbor/oregon/nehalem-or/tides/
Sam and I loved riding and camping at Nehalam bay. It was lovely and we enjoyed walking with our dogs on the beach while Sam was eating and relaxing.
Rating
Amazing! I love winter beach or spring or fall beach. Sam is more of a mountain-horse but will get better about the ocean with some practice. If your horse is terrified of the ocean, don't ride on the ocean-side. You can still ride on the bay side or along the jetty and have rides for 2-3 days of camping.