Lower Nehalem Road & Foss Road, Oregon

Fun motorcycle gravel road riding day trip near Portland

This road (it really is one road, but has two names) follows the Nehalem River through the Cascade Range out to Nehalem Bay near Manzanita. It is tree-covered, cool on a hot day, and offers some nice views of the river. You will be in Clatsop and Tillamook counties on this trip.

Just this road is about 27 miles, and most of it is gravel, but mostly a very easy road - if I can do it, anyone can. You won't be exhausted at the end of riding this road, unless gravel has just been put down. There are no hairpins, the inclines and declines aren't severe, and the road is mostly plenty wide for an ongoing car or truck to pass you. This is a great road to practice gravel riding as well - unless they have just laid down gravel, then it's dreadful. It's a particularly great place to practice standing up on your bike and riding.

From Highway 26, the Lower Nehalem Road is paved for the first 6 miles, then turns to gravel - and becomes Foss Road. Excellent stopping points for photos or lunch are the Henry Rierson Spruce Run Campground or the Salmonberry Creek bridge. The bridge was built in 2012, replacing the one that washed out in 2007.

No services on this route: there are pit toilets at the campgrounds, but bring water and snacks (or lunch). Even on a clear, hot day in the valley, it’s cool up here.

Be on the lookout for deer. We've seen a fair amount in the Spring.

The last 6 miles of Foss Road, if you are heading West, are paved, and then it meets Miami Foley Road. Go right to state road 53 and, from there, turn left for the coast or go right and enjoy a gorgeous ride to 26 and back to Portland. If you take 26 back, know that, on a Sunday night, or on a Monday night at the end of a holiday weekend, 26 is insane: lots of traveling going way over the speed limit. Be careful!

Or, you can go left on Miami Foley Road, which is very winding and lovely and, at 101, head to Tillamook or wherever.

When looking for the route off of 26, start looking for the turnoff for Henry Rierson Spruce Run Campground after the turnoff for Jewell.

If you want to make the ride even longer, do the Vernonia & Birkenfeld to Jewell, Oregon route first (80 miles) and, from Jewell, go to 26, head West, and then take the Spruce Run Campground turnoff.

Warning: nothing on 26 or 6 is ever a good ride for the Friday or Monday of a holiday weekend - there will be a LOT of people rushing to the campsites and fishing or trying to get home. 26 and 6 on Sunday evenings, on non-holiday weekends, are also hellish in terms of traffic. Early morning Saturday or any weekday are great times for this trip, or any trip involving 26 or 6 - or any road from the coast.

Want to go back to Portland on a longer, more scenic route? Take the Nestucca River Loop, but in reverse of how I've described it. To get there from this route, make a left on Miami Foley Road - paved, winding and lovely - to 101, and then head towards Tillamook.

If you want a return that is scenic but a bit quicker, then take state highway 6 back. I prefer 6 to 26 on most days. But be careful: a wreck backs up traffic severely, and you don't want to come around a blind corner at 50 and see a stopped car or truck right there in front of you.