Updated: April 11, 2024
The town of Tillamook, Oregon sits in a fertile farming area where a labyrinth of water flows through lush green fields as it makes its way to Tillamook Bay.
Particularly suitable for dairy cows, the area is most famous for its ice cream and cheese, but there are plenty of things to do in Tillamook that make it a worthy stop for a day trip from Portland or part of a longer Oregon Coast road trip.
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Contents
- Where is Tillamook, Oregon?
- Transportation to Tillamook
- About Tillamook
- Things to Do in Tillamook
- Places to Stay in Tillamook
Hotels
Vacation Rentals
Campgrounds and RV Parks - Best Restaurants and Dining in Tillamook
- Weather in Tillamook, Oregon
- Tide Charts for Tillamook, Oregon
- Annual Events and Festivals in Tillamook
Where is Tillamook, Oregon?
Tillamook is located on the northern Oregon Coast in Tillamook County, about 90 minutes west of Portland (73 miles). The main route is via highway 26 west to highway 6 west.
The drive will pass through scenic Willamette Valley farm country and the Coast Range foothills, then follow the Wilson River as it ascends through the Tillamook State Forest and over the summit (elevation 1,586 feet).
Transportation to Tillamook
Driving is the easiest and fastest way to get to Tillamook, but there are car-free options available. For air, bus, train, car and camper rental information, see Transportation to the Oregon Coast.
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About Tillamook, Oregon
The city’s name comes from the Chinook Indian word for the native people who originally inhabited the area. Captain Robert Gray first encountered Tillamook Bay in 1788 and white settlers began arriving in the early 1850s.
The town was incorporated in 1891 and the first courthouse and city hall were built. During World War II, the United States Navy operated a blimp patrol station out of what is now the Tillamook Air Museum.
Five rivers and a myriad of smaller waterways converge in this area as they flow into Tillamook Bay, just off of the Pacific Ocean. The environment is ideal for fishing, clamming, crabbing and dairy farming and is the home of Tillamook Creamery. The population of Tillamook today is a little over 5,000 residents.
Top Things to Do in Tillamook, Oregon
Go Kayaking on the Tillamook Water Trail
The Tillamook Water Trail is made up of 250 paddle-worthy miles of five separate watersheds with flatwater and whitewater routes for every level. The area is a spider web of meandering streams, sloughs, inlets and rivers converging at Tillamook Bay.
Kayaking is one of the top things to do around Tillamook for outdoor enthusiasts and you’ll find kayak rentals, tour guides and boat launches throughout the area. See Kayaking on the Oregon Coast for more information.
Catch a Fish, Clam or Crab in Tillamook Bay
Tillamook Bay is the largest coastal bay on Oregon’s north coast and the second largest in the state next to Coos Bay. These coastal waters are teeming with fish and shellfish year-round. Salmon, steelhead, tuna and lingcod are common as well as many types of clams and Dungeness crab.
Fishing
Fishing in Oregon is organized by zone and recreation reports are regularly updated for each area. Fall Chinook fishing opens in Tillamook Bay in August, but according to the report it doesn’t really pick up until September.
Check with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for fishing licenses, zones and regulations.
Clamming
Clamming is a fun activity for kids and adults alike and it’s a common sight to see people out with their buckets and shovels on the Oregon Coast. Tillamook Bay is a popular spot for clamming year-round, but spring and summer during minus tides are especially popular. Learn more about how to go clamming on the Oregon Coast.
Crabbing
You’ll need to have your own crab pots and other supplies before you head out crabbing on your own. Be sure to check current shellfish regulations on the ODFW website or call 1-800-448-2474 to check for any current closures before you head out.
Another option is to just head to a local spot like Kelly’s Brighton Marina where they already have all of the gear to get you going and will help you get started with crabbing (plus they’ll cook your catch).
Learn About Tillamook's History
If the weather doesn’t cooperate, you’ll need some things to do in Tillamook on a rainy day. Aviation and war history buffs will love the Tillamook Air Museum, the largest free-standing, clear-span wooden structure in the world, covering more than seven acres.
Hangar B was built by the U.S. Navy in 1943 to store blimps during WWII. The museum now features an impressive collection of historical planes and aviation artifacts.
The Tillamook County Pioneer Museum has a large collection of cultural memorabilia and photos documenting the history of the town and the early settlers who lived there.
Learn about the wilderness at the Tillamook Forest Center, an educational nature center in the heart of the Tillamook State Forest. Here you’ll find nature trails and wildfire information as well as indoor exhibits on early settler life and Oregon’s forest history. This is a great option if you’re looking for things to do in Tillamook with kids.
Climb a 40-foot replica of a forest fire lookout tower and cross a 250-foot suspension bridge over the Wilson River.
Take a Hike Near Tillamook
Munson Creek Falls is the tallest waterfall in the Coast Range at 319 feet with several tiers. A short trail follows Munson Creek through an old-growth forest to a viewpoint. The trail is a quarter mile each way and suitable for beginner hikers. This is a convenient option for hiking near Tillamook as the trailhead lot is just about 15 minutes (8.5 miles) south of town.
Bayocean Peninsula is long, flat sand spit between the ocean and Tillamook Bay with a flat trail perfect for a walk along the shoreline. Backcountry camping is also permitted on the peninsula. This is the fascinating historical site of the lost resort town of Bayocean, an ill-fated beach community that washed into the sea.
🥾 For more ideas on where to hike on the Oregon Coast, see Top Trails for Easy Day Hikes.
Tour the Tillamook Cheese Factory
Locals may still call it the “Cheese Factory,” but Tillamook Creamery has a whole lot more going on these days and it’s one of the most popular things to do in Tillamook, Oregon. If you love cheese, ice cream, milkshakes, butter and all things dairy, stop in and take a free self-guided tour (samples included) of the rebuilt facility.
See the cheesemakers in action, check out a farm exhibit and of course, eat a grilled cheese sandwich, cheeseburger or grab a delicious scoop of marionberry pie ice cream. There are no reservations needed and you can easily visit as part of a day trip to Tillamook from Portland or Salem area.
If you’d like a side of wine with your cheese, head over to Blue Heron French Cheese Company for a wine and cheese tasting. The deli serves soups, salads and sandwiches and the market also sells gourmet cheeses, charcuterie and gifts.
Plus, there’s a petting zoo with goats, donkeys, chickens and ostriches and RV-friendly parking.
Drive the Three Capes Scenic Route
If “breathtaking scenery” and “jaw-dropping views” are what you seek, then you’ll want to take the Three Capes Scenic Loop to Cape Meares, Cape Lookout and Cape Kiwanda. Update 11/21/2023: A portion of the Cape Meares Loop Road was closed due to a landslide for nearly a decade, but it has reopened. From Tillamook, you no longer have to take the alternative route coming up from Netarts shown in blue below. You can once again take the northern (yellow) route on Bayocean Road to make a complete loop.
The loop could be done in one day, but we advise taking your time and enjoying the sights over a few days as this is one of the most scenic areas of the Oregon Coast. Before you leave, check for road closures using ODOT’s TripCheck just to be sure there are no recent road closures.
Netarts, Oceanside and Beach Tunnels
Netarts, Oregon, is a small unincorporated coastal community at the north end of Netarts Bay, known for shellfish harvesting and boating.
Oceanside, Oregon, is a sleepy hillside town overlooking Three Arch Rocks, tucked between Cape Lookout and Cape Meares. Here, you’ll find the mysterious Maxwell Point tunnel entrance that goes through the rock to Tunnel Beach on the other side.
👉 Learn more about Oceanside and Tunnel Beach.
Cape Meares
Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint is the site of a small lighthouse, sweeping ocean views and a monstrous Sitka spruce called the Octopus Tree.
👉 Find more of the best lighthouses on the Oregon Coast.
Cape Lookout
Cape Lookout State Park is known for the hike out to the tip of the headland for panoramic views of the sea and shoreline. One of our favorite Oregon Coast campgrounds is also in this park, offering overnight camping for tents and RVs, along with cabins and yurts for rent.
Cape Kiwanda
Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area is a sandstone headland in Pacific City where waves pound against the eroding rocks, creating sinkholes, cliffs and crevices. Another Haystack Rock sits offshore, even bigger than the one in Cannon Beach.
👉 Learn more about Cape Kiwanda and Pacific City.
Pedal the Rails
Pedal your own four-seater railroad quadricycle along the historic railroad with Twins Ranch Railriders. The trip takes 2 hours and travels 11 miles round trip starting in Bay City. Enjoy views of the bay and rivers, local farms and the Tillamook Creamery.
- Find more things to do at the Oregon Coast and browse by activity
- Take a guided tour of the Oregon Coast
- Also nearby: Find things to do in Rockaway Beach, Oregon
- Discover Cape Kiwanda and more fun activities in Pacific City
Places to Stay in Tillamook, Oregon
Larger cities and popular towns on the Oregon Coast will offer more hotel options. Small towns in remote areas along the coast may not offer many services and vacation rental homes may be your best bet for lodging as there may not be many hotels to choose from (if any).
📍 Nearby: You may also be interested in places to stay in Rockaway Beach and Garibaldi.
Vacation Rentals in Tillamook, Oregon
Vacation rentals are a solid choice offering more options for lodging near Tillamook. One of the top-rated vacation rentals in Tillamook, this renovated 1906 bungalow has 4 bedrooms, air conditioning, a fireplace, outdoor gas grill and patio space and is pet friendly.
Campgrounds and RV Parks Near Tillamook, Oregon
Camping is one of our favorite things to do near Tillamook as it’s surrounded by campgrounds and RV parks from the Tillamook State Forest to the coast. Cape Lookout State Park and Trask River County Campground are two of our favorites.
🌲 Oregon State Park campgrounds have everything from tent campsites and RV sites with full hookups to cozy yurts and deluxe cabins available for rent.
🚐 There are several privately owned RV parks and campgrounds along the Oregon Coast off Highway 101. Services and facilities can vary widely, so be sure to check reviews on Google Maps or use a trusted trip-planning app like RV Life to read unbiased reviews of campgrounds by other RVers. Try it free!
Restaurants and Dining in Tillamook, Oregon
Just 5 minutes south of Tillamook, Jandy Oyster Co. serves fresh, fried and smoked oysters in an outside garden setting.
Some of the best restaurants in Tillamook are the food trucks. Check out the Flavors on 1st food truck pod on 1st Street and Ivy Avenue for some great options, like Smokin’ Steves BBQ smoked meats.
Antonette’s Kitchen is one of the highest-rated lunch spots in Tillamook serving deli sandwiches and homemade soups from their drive-through/walk-up food cart.
De Garde Brewing makes finely crafted, Northwest wild-yeast beer and Pelican Brewing is a popular choice nearby offering pub fare and shuffleboard.
For good, old-fashioned burgers, fries and milkshakes, the Dutch Mill Cafe serves them up properly in a nostalgic 50s-style diner.
🍴 Find more restaurants on the Oregon Coast.
🍺 Try these local craft Oregon Coast breweries.
Weather in Tillamook, Oregon
The weather in Tillamook is generally cool (50s-60s F) and damp with frequent rain throughout the year, with the exception of July and August. Temperatures rarely get too hot in summer with highs in the 60s-70s. Lows dip down into the 30s in winter but snow is rare. Spring and Autumn are a mix of sunny and rainy days.
Not sure what to pack for your trip to the Oregon Coast? The beaches are usually breezy and cool. It’s a good idea to wear layers and bring rain gear. See our guide on what to wear to the Oregon Coast for a free downloadable packing list and more details.
Tide Charts for the Tillamook and the Oregon Coast
There are two low tides and two high tides every day on Oregon’s coast. Low tide is the time for beachcombing, clamming in the bay, tide pools and cave exploration.
For your safety, be aware of the tide schedule before boating or heading out to beaches and always keep an eye on the water level. Use extreme caution in rocky areas near the water, where sneaker waves can (and do) strike.
🌊 Check tide tables or ask at state park offices, local visitor information centers and many stores and hotels for a free tide table booklet.
🦀 Find the best tide pools on the Oregon Coast.
Annual Events and Festivals in Tillamook
Looking for more fun things to do in Tillamook? Here’s a list of major events to help you plan your trip.
January – Tillamook Polar Plunge
June – Tillamook Dairy Parade
August – Tillamook County Fair
For more details and events, visit Tillamook Chamber of Commerce.
👉 See our calendar for more events on the Oregon Coast.
Taking a road trip? Drive 20 minutes west to Netarts and Oceanside, 25 minutes north to Rockaway Beach or 35 minutes south to Pacific City to continue exploring Oregon Coast towns.
