Tillamook, named for the Tillamook people, a Native American tribe...lacks the sophistication of a Cannon Beach or Seaside. Quite frankly, Tillamook is more laid back. It is surrounded by rich dairy land with both fresh and salt water fishing, a center for recreation.
JUNE: If you arrive here in June, you can participate in the Tillamook, Oregon Dairy Festival. Call for schedule information: 503-842-7525.
In AUGUST, participate in the annual Tillamook Oregon County Fair. 503-842-7525.
Attractions:
Tillamook Cheese Factory: You cannot go through Tillamook, Oregon without stopping here. About 100 inches of rain pound Tillamook annually. As a result, there are lush green pastures yielding it's thriving dairy industry. The factory is the largest cheese-making plant on the West Coast. They offer self-guided tours with tasty cheese samples, interactive kiosks, factory viewing windows, a café, and lots of fun.... And you have the opportunity to sample and purchase the famous Tillamook Oregon Cheeses and buy some Tillamook ice-cream while you're here...you'll be glad you did.
Blue Heron French Cheese Company @ Wine Tasting: From the name you can tell, this company specializes in French-style cheeses. For the kids, there is a petting zoo and a picnic area. You can have a chance to sample some of the Oregon Wines too. 503-842-8281
Pioneer Museum. Yep, this is truly a pioneer type of museum right in the heart of Tillamook, Oregon. They have artifacts from the pioneering days. The most popular is the collection of dolls, quilts and guns. They are located in Tillamook's 1905 County Courthouse.
Tillamook Naval Air Station Museum. During World War II blimps were based out of Tillamook Oregon to patrol the coast for submarines. Today, the massive hangers is the home to vintage aircraft. A pilot myself, I love this museum...so do our kids.
Three Capes Loop. The Three Capes Loops is the Oregon Coast's 38-mile thrilling yet scenic driving experience. The loop will wind along the coast between the towns of Tillamook Oregon and Pacific City. You will pass three prominent headlands: Cape Meares, Cape Lookout, and Cape Kiwanda.
To begin your excursion, note your odometer reading and head west from Tillamook Oregon on Third Street. You'll pass what was the thriving ocean resort town of Bay Ocean. It's gone now, more than 30 years ago Bay Ocean washed into the Pacific Ocean; houses, businesses, everything...gone during a raging Pacific storm.
Arriving at Cape Meares State Park, on the northern tip of Three Capes Loop, visit Cape Meares Light House. While there, take a picture of Octopus Tree. You'll know what we mean, it's an old spruce with many legs.
On the loop, stop by the Whiskey Creek Fish Hatchery. It's a good education about salmon for both young and old.
If you are looking to camp, here's the spot, Cape Lookout State Park near Tillamook, Oregon. It's south of the beach towns Oceanside and Netarts. You'll have 1974 acres to explore in this wildlife park. There are 215 paved campsites and yurts and cabins are available too. Make reservations though.
You'll arrive at Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area. Here the huge waves pound the sandstone cliffs and caves. Just to the south the 327 foot Haystack Rock juts from the ocean here awaiting for you to take a picture. It's much photographed. Surfers are able to ride some of the longest waves along the Oregon Coast, right here. All the while, look up and you may spot a hang-glider catching some of the wind currents off the rock cliffs.
A little over a mile, south of Cape Kiwanda is Pacific City. This is pretty neat. This is one of the only places along the Oregon Coast where flat-bottom fishing dories are launched directly into the surf. During the salmon season, late summer you may have an opportunity to watch this event. Also, don't be shy if you want to buy some salmon. Just walk up to one of the local fishermen and ask if they'd sell you one. They are fresh and good!
Just outside of Pacific City is Robert Straub State Park. Take a walk along the white sand beach towards the mouth of the Nestucca River. This is considered by many, the best fishing river on the Northern Oregon Coast. The park is a day-use only park...sorry, no camping.
About 38 miles on your odometer you'll be meeting up with Highway 101 again. You can either head north, back into Tillamook Oregon or continue south and explore more of the Oregon Coast.
Tillamook Oregon Area Camping
Nehalem Bay State Park, located near Manzanita on a spit that separates the ocean from the bay. There are 284 campsites, 9 yurts, a horse camp, a hiker/biker camp and a fly-in camp with an adjacent airstrip. There are 890 acres with trails for hiking and biking.
Cape Lookout State Park, is about 12 miles southwest of Tillamook. There's a sprawling 2,014 acres with 55 sites for RV's, 191 for tents, 4 yurts and a hiker/biker camp. It has a self-guided hiking trail, the kids love it.
Barview Jetty County Park just 2 miles north of Garibaldi. This is 160 acres of a full service campground. They have 249 sites, 40 with full hook-ups. Call the county for info and reservations: 503-322-3522.
Whalin Island Park is 4.5 miles north of Cape Kiwanda, has 30 sites. This is also a county park, call: 503-965-5001.
Webb Park is 1/4 mile east of Cape Kiwanda with 30 sites. It is also a county park, call: 503-965-5001.
Sand Lake Park is 8 miles north of Pacific City. It's a great location for the dune-buggies and ofen crowded. There are 101 sites: 503-392-3161 for more info.
We hope you enjoy your stay in Tillamook Oregon. Tips brought to you by Northwest Travel Tips.
JUNE: If you arrive here in June, you can participate in the Tillamook, Oregon Dairy Festival. Call for schedule information: 503-842-7525.
In AUGUST, participate in the annual Tillamook Oregon County Fair. 503-842-7525.
Attractions:
Tillamook Cheese Factory: You cannot go through Tillamook, Oregon without stopping here. About 100 inches of rain pound Tillamook annually. As a result, there are lush green pastures yielding it's thriving dairy industry. The factory is the largest cheese-making plant on the West Coast. They offer self-guided tours with tasty cheese samples, interactive kiosks, factory viewing windows, a café, and lots of fun.... And you have the opportunity to sample and purchase the famous Tillamook Oregon Cheeses and buy some Tillamook ice-cream while you're here...you'll be glad you did.
Blue Heron French Cheese Company @ Wine Tasting: From the name you can tell, this company specializes in French-style cheeses. For the kids, there is a petting zoo and a picnic area. You can have a chance to sample some of the Oregon Wines too. 503-842-8281
Pioneer Museum. Yep, this is truly a pioneer type of museum right in the heart of Tillamook, Oregon. They have artifacts from the pioneering days. The most popular is the collection of dolls, quilts and guns. They are located in Tillamook's 1905 County Courthouse.
Tillamook Naval Air Station Museum. During World War II blimps were based out of Tillamook Oregon to patrol the coast for submarines. Today, the massive hangers is the home to vintage aircraft. A pilot myself, I love this museum...so do our kids.
Three Capes Loop. The Three Capes Loops is the Oregon Coast's 38-mile thrilling yet scenic driving experience. The loop will wind along the coast between the towns of Tillamook Oregon and Pacific City. You will pass three prominent headlands: Cape Meares, Cape Lookout, and Cape Kiwanda.
To begin your excursion, note your odometer reading and head west from Tillamook Oregon on Third Street. You'll pass what was the thriving ocean resort town of Bay Ocean. It's gone now, more than 30 years ago Bay Ocean washed into the Pacific Ocean; houses, businesses, everything...gone during a raging Pacific storm.
Arriving at Cape Meares State Park, on the northern tip of Three Capes Loop, visit Cape Meares Light House. While there, take a picture of Octopus Tree. You'll know what we mean, it's an old spruce with many legs.
On the loop, stop by the Whiskey Creek Fish Hatchery. It's a good education about salmon for both young and old.
If you are looking to camp, here's the spot, Cape Lookout State Park near Tillamook, Oregon. It's south of the beach towns Oceanside and Netarts. You'll have 1974 acres to explore in this wildlife park. There are 215 paved campsites and yurts and cabins are available too. Make reservations though.
You'll arrive at Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area. Here the huge waves pound the sandstone cliffs and caves. Just to the south the 327 foot Haystack Rock juts from the ocean here awaiting for you to take a picture. It's much photographed. Surfers are able to ride some of the longest waves along the Oregon Coast, right here. All the while, look up and you may spot a hang-glider catching some of the wind currents off the rock cliffs.
A little over a mile, south of Cape Kiwanda is Pacific City. This is pretty neat. This is one of the only places along the Oregon Coast where flat-bottom fishing dories are launched directly into the surf. During the salmon season, late summer you may have an opportunity to watch this event. Also, don't be shy if you want to buy some salmon. Just walk up to one of the local fishermen and ask if they'd sell you one. They are fresh and good!
Just outside of Pacific City is Robert Straub State Park. Take a walk along the white sand beach towards the mouth of the Nestucca River. This is considered by many, the best fishing river on the Northern Oregon Coast. The park is a day-use only park...sorry, no camping.
About 38 miles on your odometer you'll be meeting up with Highway 101 again. You can either head north, back into Tillamook Oregon or continue south and explore more of the Oregon Coast.
Tillamook Oregon Area Camping
Nehalem Bay State Park, located near Manzanita on a spit that separates the ocean from the bay. There are 284 campsites, 9 yurts, a horse camp, a hiker/biker camp and a fly-in camp with an adjacent airstrip. There are 890 acres with trails for hiking and biking.
Cape Lookout State Park, is about 12 miles southwest of Tillamook. There's a sprawling 2,014 acres with 55 sites for RV's, 191 for tents, 4 yurts and a hiker/biker camp. It has a self-guided hiking trail, the kids love it.
Barview Jetty County Park just 2 miles north of Garibaldi. This is 160 acres of a full service campground. They have 249 sites, 40 with full hook-ups. Call the county for info and reservations: 503-322-3522.
Whalin Island Park is 4.5 miles north of Cape Kiwanda, has 30 sites. This is also a county park, call: 503-965-5001.
Webb Park is 1/4 mile east of Cape Kiwanda with 30 sites. It is also a county park, call: 503-965-5001.
Sand Lake Park is 8 miles north of Pacific City. It's a great location for the dune-buggies and ofen crowded. There are 101 sites: 503-392-3161 for more info.
We hope you enjoy your stay in Tillamook Oregon. Tips brought to you by Northwest Travel Tips.