Biking Nehalem Bay is the best flat ride on the north Oregon coast, and it starts about ten minutes from downtown Manzanita. Nehalem Bay State Park sits on a four-mile sand spit between the ocean and the bay, with a paved multi-use path, hard-packed sand roads, and at low tide a beach you can pedal for miles. No climbs. Lots of birds.
Getting there
From Laneda Avenue in Manzanita, take Carmel Avenue south, which becomes Necarney City Road and then Garey Street, and follow signs to the park entrance. It is under two miles from town, so you can ride there rather than drive if you are staying nearby. Puffin Lane is on the golf course side of town and the ride to the park gate is about ten minutes on quiet streets.
Day-use parking requires an Oregon State Parks pass. There is a pay station at the entrance, or a 12-month pass if you are coming back. Riding in on a bike is free.
The paved path
The park's paved bike trail runs roughly two miles from near the entrance and day-use area down through shore pine forest toward the campground and the horse camp. It is flat, smooth, and shaded, which makes it perfect for kids and anyone on a rental cruiser. You will share it with walkers and the occasional deer. Elk wander through the park in winter and early spring; give them room.
At the south end of the pavement, the trail feeds onto sand roads and the beach access trails that cross the dunes. This is where it gets fun or gets hard, depending on your bike.
Riding to the jetty
The spit continues south past the campground to the north jetty at the mouth of the Nehalem River. The route is sand road, softer in some places than others. On a fat bike or a mountain bike with wide tires you can ride most of it. On a skinny-tire hybrid you will push. Round trip from the day-use area to the jetty and back is about eight miles.
The jetty itself is a good sit-and-watch spot. Seals haul out on the bay side, fishing boats thread the channel, and on a west wind the swell stacks up on the bar. If you fish, this is also where people go for perch and crab; our Nehalem Bay fishing post covers what to bring.
Beach riding at low tide
The sneaky best ride is the beach. At low tide, the sand between Manzanita and the jetty is firm enough for fat tires and sometimes for a mountain bike. Check a tide table, start an hour or two before low, ride south with the wind if you can, and turn around before the water comes back. The whole beach from Neahkahnie to the jetty is about seven miles, and the dog can run the entire way.
Rinse the bike afterward. Salt water eats chains.
Rentals and gear
- Manzanita Bikes & Boards on Laneda rents cruisers, kids' bikes, and fat bikes for the beach. Reserve on summer weekends.
- Helmets come with rentals. Wear one on the beach too; sand hides things.
- Layers. The spit is exposed and the wind picks up after noon most summer days.
- Water. There is water at the day-use area and campground but nothing at the jetty.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome in the park on leash, and off leash on the beach where allowed under state park rules. On the paved trail keep them leashed; the shore pines are full of rabbits and your dog will want to test that. On the beach let them go and watch for the elk.
Timing and season
Summer is busy but the trail rarely feels crowded. Fall is the best: warm, still, and empty on weekdays. Winter riding is possible between storms and the low winter tides are excellent for beach rides, just expect wind. Spring brings elk calves and skunk cabbage in the wet spots.
Plan a half day. Ride the path, push to the jetty, come back along the beach if the tide is right, and be back on Laneda for lunch. There is more to fill the afternoon on our Manzanita things to do page, but honestly a nap might win.