Clay Myers State Natural Area at Whalen Island
🏆🏆🏆🏆 Tillamook Bay Island — Pristine estuary island with nesting seabirds, mudflats, and the only Oregon Coast campsite on an island
Clay Myers State Natural Area at Whalen Island protects a 94-acre island in Sand Lake estuary on the Northern Oregon Coast. The island is a critical nesting site for shorebirds and waterfowl, with mudflats teeming with Dungeness crab, clams, and marine invertebrates. A loop trail circles the island through Sitka spruce forest and coastal meadows, with views across Sand Lake to Cape Lookout. The small campground (walk-in only) makes this the only island camping experience on the Oregon Coast.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Sand Lake Estuary, Tillamook County, OR |
| Size | 94 acres (Whalen Island) |
| Entry Fee | Free (camping $10) |
| Camping | Walk-in only — only island camp on OR Coast! |
| Wildlife | Nesting shorebirds, Dungeness crab |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I dig clams here?
Yes — the Sand Lake estuary supports recreational clamming. Check ODFW for season dates and limits. You’ll need an Oregon shellfish license.
About Clay Myers at Whalen Island
Clay Myers State Natural Area at Whalen Island protects an ecologically pristine estuary along the Nestucca River on the northern Oregon coast. Whalen Island is surrounded by tidal marshland teeming with bird life — over 200 species have been recorded here. The natural area offers some of the best birdwatching on the entire Oregon coast, especially during fall and spring migration.
Things to Do
Birdwatching, kayaking through the estuary channels, and crabbing in Nestucca Bay. A loop trail around Whalen Island offers 1.5 miles of easy walking through diverse coastal habitats. Primitive camping is available on the island.
Insider Tips
Hidden estuary: Clay Myers protects Whalen Island in the Sand Lake estuary — one of the most pristine estuaries on the Oregon coast. Pro tip: Paddle around the island at high tide for the full experience — the estuary supports Pacific oysters, Dungeness crab, and harbor seals. Camping: The primitive campground on the island is one of Oregon’s most unique camping experiences — fall asleep to the sound of lapping tidal water.
Best Time to Visit
Late summer: Warmest weather and best crabbing. Spring: Shorebird migration. Fall: Mushroom season in the surrounding Sitka spruce forest. Winter: Dramatic but wet — dress for rain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I camp on the island?
Yes — primitive camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations. Bring all supplies including water. The island campground offers a unique experience — you’re surrounded by tidal water and estuary wildlife.
Wildlife & Nature
Clay Myers State Natural Area protects Whalen Island — a tidal island in Nestucca Bay that provides critical habitat for shorebirds and waterfowl. The island’s salt marsh, mudflat, and upland prairie create a mosaic of habitats supporting migratory birds along the Pacific Flyway. Whalen Island is one of the few accessible tidal islands on the Oregon coast — visitors can explore at low tide when the surrounding mudflats are exposed. Great blue herons, great egrets, and green herons fish the channels. Dunlin, western sandpipers, and black-bellied plovers probe the mudflats for invertebrates. The bay’s eelgrass beds provide nursery habitat for Dungeness crab and juvenile salmon. Bald eagles nest in the spruce trees overlooking the bay.
Nearby Attractions
Pacific City and Cape Kiwanda are nearby — featuring the dramatic sandstone headland and surf-launching dory fleet. Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge protects additional estuary habitat. Bob Straub State Park provides beach access on the Nestucca Spit. Three Capes Scenic Loop connects the area to Cape Lookout and Cape Meares. Pelican Brewing Company on the Pacific City beach is an iconic coastal destination. Cascade Head Preserve (The Nature Conservancy) protects one of Oregon’s rarest ecosystems — coastal headland prairie.
🏝️ Visit Clay Myers SNA at Whalen Island
Oregon’s only coastal island camp — estuary birds, crabbing, and Cape Lookout views.
