Netarts: Netarts Bay and Coastal Landscape

Netarts is part of the Three Capes Scenic Loop and lies in a coastal landscape shaped by Netarts Bay, Netarts Spit, and the Pacific Ocean. The activities in the bay are also important when planning the focus of your stay—above all clamming, along with hiking and boating.

Netarts Bay and the Coastal Landscape

Netarts Bay is designated as a nature preserve estuary and is seven miles long. Netarts Spit is an elongated, club-shaped stretch of sand with forest cover that separates the town of Netarts from the Pacific Ocean. Netarts is also surrounded by coastal rainforest and the Pacific. These are distinct points of reference for getting your bearings: the spit lies between the town and the ocean; clamming and boating take place in Netarts Bay.

Activities at Netarts Bay

Clamming is the main visitor activity in Netarts Bay. Clamming Area 1 is accessible via a beach access point at the end of Crab Ave. This precise location helps you connect the focus on clamming with a specific area when planning, rather than associating it with the bay only in general terms.

Hiking around Netarts Bay and boating on the bay are also possible. They give your stay different focuses: hiking emphasizes activity on land, while boating focuses on the water. If you’re considering what kind of outdoor time fits your travel plans, these options are easy to distinguish.

The Netarts Landing County Boat Launch has a concrete ramp for motorized boats, restrooms, and a parking lot. The ramp is for motorized boats; restrooms and parking are practical amenities at the launch. Check the launch’s current operating conditions before setting out.

Scenic Loop and Natural History

Netarts is part of the Three Capes Scenic Loop. If you want to place a particular location in the context of the route, this connection provides a specific regional reference. It is distinct from the activities at Netarts Bay, which are directly connected to a stay by the bay. Check current road conditions before setting out.

Friends of Netarts Bay WEBS gives visitors opportunities to learn about and experience the area’s unique natural and cultural history. If you’d like to include this focus in your plans, note that specific programs and event dates may vary; check the latest schedule.

The name Netarts has a cultural history. One local linguistic tradition traces the name to the term “Ne ta at” in the language of the local Killamook tribe. The expression means “near the water”; the spelling was later modernized to Netarts.

Discover more destinations: Rockaway Beach, Cape Meares, Nehalem, Cloverdale, Garibaldi, Manzanita, Neskowin, Tillamook.

For the full travel overview: Tillamook County.