I've visited Nehalem State Airport a few times in the
past, either by car or airplane, but finally had the opportunity to camp at the airport. Next to the runway there are six primitive camp sites (see photos below of each), each with a fire ring and picnic table. Each campsite has its own "charm" with varying amounts of seclusion as some sites are more exposed to the airport surroundings and others set back in the trees. There is also an outhouse and a water spigot on site. One can also make the five minute walk from the airport into Nehalem State Park and use the showers and facilities there. The airport sites are first come, first served and the fee is $11 per night. Though we brought a bundle of firewood, the camp hosts inside the park have firewood available for sale. Just hanging around the campsite is very relaxing, but the beach and Nehalem River are a short walk, as well as numerous walking trails within the state park. If you are a little more adventurous, the town of Manzanita is a thirty minute walk via the beach or residential roads. The weather each day was sunny and 70 degrees and the marine layer lingered most of the morning but cleared by noon. Keep this in mind if flying to 3S7 as you may have to wait around for the low ceilings to clear longer than you might like. In fact I've been a here a few times where the low overcast remained for several days in a row. There is no published instrument departure for this airport and rising terrain in all directions except west over the ocean, but mobile service is good so in theory you could get an IFR clearance on the ground to fly over the Nehalem River to the shoreline and then climb through the overcast over the ocean on course.
