Hiking TrailHIKING was the original way to get to this part of the world. Indians made a famous trail down the coast from the mouth of the Columbia at Astoria. It followed a perilous route along cliffs and over the Coast range. The first Tillamook dairy cow came via that route. Today, the Pacific Coast Trail follows the edge of the Ocean the length of the State. Sections you'll want to try near Nehalem Point are to the top of Neahkahnie Mountain, north to Short Sand Beach, and along the 5 miles of beach through Nehalem State Park and to the beach village of Manzanita.

WHEN THE SUN IS SHINING at Nehalem Point you can stay and play in the wide open spaces or bask in the elegance of the day. If you're like local folks, at the first hint of sun you'll plan your day. The choices are infinite. A hike is nice, with so many directions to go. Starting off from Nehalem Point you may wander down the dike trail, along or across Elk Meadow or to the north shore of Nehalem Bay. According to your endurance, and whether or not you remembered to bring a cold drink and a sandwich, you can amble along and make it to the mouth of the Nehalem River-on the edge of the wild Nehalem bar. Or call Jetty Fishery ahead and arrange for a boat to pick you up and shuttle you across the Bay to enjoy a seafood picnic right alongside the Nehalem bar. Fresh crab or oysters. Casual, so much fun and good food.

BackpackingON ANOTHER DAY, take a trail west across the meadow land below Nehalem Point and angle north to the Nehalem Bay State Park, over the sand dunes to the edge of great Pacific Ocean. Take time to stretch out beside a dune and sun bathe in the tall beach grass, sheltered from the brisk breeze that sometimes blows. Take a kite in your backpack, unfurl it and be a kid again! A small bottle of soap bubble stuff is neat fun, too. Keep an eye out for wind surfers if the wind is right. It's magic to watch them with their butterfly wings—off in another world. When you've had too much fun, continue on 'til you find Manzanita. Laneda Avenue is the main drag. There are refreshment stops all the way up the street from Cranky's, the soda and coffee store, to the Sandune Tavern, to the Manzanita Deli for soft cones and takeout sandwiches, to Manzanita News for Starbuck's coffee or north a block to the Candy Basket for root beer floats and ice cream sodas. You can call for a ride, or walk the two miles back to Nehalem Point, or you might catch the Wave (a little county bus) on it's northern run.

Parks and Forests
Ecology