Bike Camping at Cape Lookout is just one bus away from Portland
Ride the Bus to Tillamook
The NW Connector can get you and your bike to the coast for a bite-sized bike adventure. Every NW Connector bus has a bike rack that can carry at least 2 bikes.
Hop on the NW Connector bus from Portland to Tillamook. It’s the WAVE’s Route 5, departing Portland’s Union Station at 11:20am.
This route runs seven days a week.
Bike from Tillamook along the Three Capes Scenic Loop
You’ll arrive at the Tillamook Transit Center at 1:25pm. Now might be a good time to pick up snacks or dinner at Safeway.
Ride out of Tillamook west on 3rd St / Netarts Hwy. You’ll be sharing the lane with cars, but this route has fairly low traffic.
The ride to the campground is around 20 miles, along the Three Capes Scenic Loop. You’ll get a great view of Tillamook Bay and Cape Mears, and ride along Netarts Bay. See the entire route on Google Maps.
The one big hill of the ride will be about 8 miles in, as you turn left onto Bayshore Drive. Anticipate an elevation of about 750 feet over 3 miles.
At the top of the hill (after 10 miles total) you’ll have a chance to stop at the Cape Mears Lighthouse. This can be a good place to rest, take in the sights (bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and other birds often nest here), or take a tour of the inside of the lighthouse (available May to September).
You’ll head south on Bayshore Drive from the lighthouse, and enjoy 10 more miles before reaching the park. Anticipate some small hills.
Cape Lookout State Park has a beautiful view, dedicated hiker/biker camp sites, and hot showers. Once settled, you can walk along the beach or explore trails though the woods.
Return Trip
Take the same route back to Portland, or plan an extended trip using this State bike map. If you ride farther down the coast, there will be more NW Connector routes available to take you back to the Willamette Valley, leaving from Lincoln City or Newport.