Big Eddy Park: Your Riverside Getaway on the Nehalem in Vernonia, Oregon

Big Eddy Park Introduce

Tucked away along the serene banks of the Nehalem River, Big Eddy Park in Vernonia, Oregon, offers a delightful escape for those seeking a tranquil and amenity-rich outdoor experience. For Oregonians craving a getaway that combines the peace of riverside camping with convenient facilities, this Columbia County park is a fantastic choice. Imagine waking up to the gentle sounds of the river, spending your days fishing or paddling, and enjoying relaxing evenings around a campfire. Big Eddy Park provides a welcoming atmosphere, inviting you to unwind and connect with the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

Big Eddy Park, while perhaps not the largest of parks, is celebrated for its surprising range of amenities and its dedication to visitor comfort. As one happy camper noted, despite some unique site layouts, it’s one of the larger county parks they've encountered, offering a variety of options for different camping styles. Whether you're pulling in with a big RV looking for full hookups, setting up a traditional tent, or even bringing your floaties for a river adventure, Big Eddy Park accommodates. The park prides itself on being well-maintained, with restrooms that are reliably clean and offer free showers for campers – a welcome luxury after a day of outdoor activities.

Beyond the practical comforts, Big Eddy Park shines as a hub for outdoor fun. Its direct access to the Nehalem River makes it a prime spot for fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding. Families will especially appreciate the pretty nice playground, complete with slides, swings, and an open area for kids to burn off energy. The friendly and helpful park hosts, like Jack and Kathy, contribute significantly to the positive experience, ensuring that any issues are promptly addressed with a professional and personable touch. This combination of natural beauty, convenient amenities, and excellent service makes Big Eddy Park a popular choice for locals looking for a relaxing, quiet weekend, even during peak seasons.

Location and Accessibility

Big Eddy Park is conveniently located at 64555 Nehalem Hwy N, Vernonia, OR 97064, USA. This places it along the picturesque Nehalem River in Columbia County, Oregon. Vernonia itself is a charming small town nestled in the coastal mountains, known for its logging history and access to outdoor recreation, including the popular Banks-Vernonia Linear State Trail.

The park is highly accessible by vehicle. From Vernonia, it's just about 8 miles north on Highway 47, a straightforward drive through scenic Oregon countryside. For those traveling from the Portland metropolitan area, the drive typically takes around an hour to an hour and a half, depending on traffic, offering a relatively quick escape to nature. Routes generally involve connecting to OR-47 S from major highways like US-26 W or US-30 W.

Upon arrival, visitors will find a clear, signed entrance to the park. While some internal turns within the campground might be a bit tight for very large motorhomes or long trailers, the park generally accommodates a range of RVs, with paved sites available. Its proximity to the Nehalem River ensures easy access for launching kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and other shallow-draft floating devices directly from the park's small boat launch. The convenience of its location, combined with good road access, makes Big Eddy Park an attractive option for Oregonians seeking a hassle-free journey to their riverside camping adventure. It's close enough for a spontaneous weekend trip but feels far enough removed to offer a genuine sense of tranquility and connection with nature.

Services Offered

Campsites: Offers 35 campsites, including 14 full paved RV hookup sites (50-amp service available) and sites suitable for tents.
Full Hookups: Many RV sites provide water, electric, and sewer connections for ultimate convenience.
Restrooms: Clean and well-maintained flush toilets are available for all campers.
Showers: Free hot showers are provided for registered campers, a highly appreciated amenity.
Potable Water: Drinking water is readily available throughout the campground.
Picnic Tables & Fire Rings: Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table and a fire ring, perfect for outdoor meals and campfires.
Camp Host: Friendly and helpful camp hosts (like Jack and Kathy mentioned in reviews) are on-site to assist visitors and ensure a pleasant stay.
Boat Launch: A small boat launch is available for non-motorized and shallow-draft floating devices like kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards.
Playground: Features a playground with a slide, swings, and an open grassy area for children to play.
Horseshoe Rings: Provides recreational opportunities for all ages.
Pet Area: Generally pet-friendly (leash laws apply) with designated areas for pets.
Trash Disposal: Convenient trash receptacles are available.

Features / Highlights

Riverside Location: Situated directly along the beautiful Nehalem River, offering scenic views and easy access to water activities.
Full Hookup RV Sites: A significant draw for RV campers, providing all essential utilities for a comfortable stay.
Clean Facilities with Free Showers: Consistently praised for well-maintained restrooms and the convenience of complimentary hot showers.
Family-Friendly Amenities: Features a playground and open grassy areas, making it ideal for families with children.
Excellent for Water Recreation: Perfect for fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding on the gentle currents of the Nehalem River.
Friendly Camp Hosts: Reviews highlight professional and personable hosts who are dedicated to ensuring a positive experience.
Relaxing & Quiet Atmosphere: Despite its popularity, often described as a quiet and peaceful park, especially during off-peak seasons.
Proximity to Banks-Vernonia Linear State Trail: A short distance from this renowned 23-mile paved rail-trail, popular for biking, walking, and horseback riding.
Year-Round Operation: The park is open all year, allowing for seasonal variations in activities and atmosphere.
Dark Skies for Stargazing: Being nestled in the forest away from major city lights, it offers good opportunities for stargazing.

Contact Information

Big Eddy Park is managed by Columbia County Parks. For inquiries, reservations, or the most current information regarding the park, including specific site availability and any operational updates, please use the contact details below.

Address: 64555 Nehalem Hwy N, Vernonia, OR 97064, USA

Phone: (503) 366-3984

Mobile Phone: +1 503-366-3984

For online reservations, which are highly recommended, especially during warmer months, you can typically find Big Eddy Park listed on the Columbia County Parks website or through platforms like ReserveAmerica. Checking their official online presence will provide the most up-to-date booking information, detailed maps, and current fee structures.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For Oregonians, Big Eddy Park stands out as an exceptionally suitable and appealing choice for a variety of outdoor adventures. Its location on the Nehalem River, a comfortable drive from Portland and other population centers, means a refreshing escape into nature is always within easy reach. This convenience allows locals to enjoy spontaneous weekend trips or well-planned vacations without enduring lengthy travel times, maximizing their leisure.

The park's diverse offerings cater to a wide spectrum of campers. RV owners will appreciate the availability of full hookup sites, ensuring a comfortable stay with all the necessary amenities. Tent campers can enjoy the classic outdoor experience, while families will find the playground and open spaces perfect for children to play and explore safely. The presence of friendly and attentive camp hosts, as highlighted by local reviews, adds a personal touch and ensures that any needs are promptly met, contributing to a stress-free environment.

Big Eddy Park's direct river access makes it a prime spot for the water-based activities that many Oregonians cherish, from peaceful kayaking and paddleboarding to engaging in some excellent fishing. The proximity to the Banks-Vernonia Linear State Trail further expands recreational opportunities, inviting bikers, hikers, and equestrians to explore miles of scenic pathways. This blend of convenient location, comprehensive amenities, and abundant recreational activities makes Big Eddy Park a cherished local resource. It’s a place where Oregonians can easily reconnect with nature, enjoy quality time with family and friends, and create lasting memories in a clean, welcoming, and beautifully maintained environment right in their own backyard.

Big Eddy Park Photos

Big Eddy Park Location

Big Eddy Park

Oregon Columbia County Vernonia Nehalem Highway North

64555 Nehalem Hwy N, Vernonia, OR 97064, USA

Big Eddy Park Reviews

So my wife and I saw Big Eddy Park on our way to a State Park one weekend, and we decided to stay there this weekend. When we arrived the board at the entrance said to check in with the host, so we did. The lady that answered the door to the trailer was nice, and directed us to our site which was “straight down the road.” We backed in, hooked up our water, electric, and sewer got into our RV flipped our switch for the electric and only half of or amenities were working. After a quick check with my voltmeter I found that we were only getting 120v on a 240v outlet. My wife and I went to the host trailer, knocked, and this time a gentleman answered the door. I explained to him what I found and he was very apologetic and asked me to give him just a minute and he would be right over. About a minute is all that it was and he was at our site with a new 50amp breaker. During the process of him changing out the breaker my wife and I had a pleasant conversation with him and found out that his name was Jack, and his wife’s name was Kathy….he was professional and personable!Just a few minutes later we had the 50amp service that we had paid for, and got to know a little about our hosts!Yes, Big Eddy Park is on the smaller side of parks, and some of the sites are kinda strange with how they are laid out, but this is one of the larger County Parks that I have seen. There is a pretty nice playground, a boat launch for floaties, kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, and any type of floating device that requires water that isn’t very deep!The playground has a slide, swings,and a volleyball net, with area for kids to run around and get out some of their extra energy!The bathrooms are clean enough, and have showers that are free to those who are camping there!All in all, my wife and I had a very relaxing, quiet weekend at Big Eddy Park….granted we were there in March, not July or August!
Mar 23, 2025 · Doug H
This is a big campground with lots of amenities. I can see why it is so popular. My brother and I had a great time fishing and enjoying the river in our kayaks. I would recommend this place to anyone who enjoys being in nature.
Jul 16, 2024 · Rick Slossen
Stayed in July….. Super small park, spaces are jammed up next to each other zero privacy or sound walls. Choose spots wisely as the highway is about 20 feet from your tent, and the log trucks begin at about 4am. The park is right next door to three large homes, both have chickens/roosters/livestock that start going off at first light. At no fault to the neighbors, one of them has an active workshop next door, the park has done nothing to block them out or the noise. Like how hard is to plant some trees it’s a park! The fencing around the park is completely outdated and falling apart with holes everywhere…We had dogs off leash running through camp constantly… To make matters worse we were kept up all evening by the sounds of vomiting and drinking games from some of the neighboring campsites. When we tried to address our concerns with “the park host” (Jack) who absolutely just sucks at his job, he was just rude, seemed overwhelmed, and not totally all there in the head. When we asked him why he was not enforcing any of the local laws, including leash laws he just brushed us off, he does not seem to care much about his job and did not enforce any kind of rules outlined by parks and recreation. We packed up and just left…don’t need are kids being chased and bit by dogs while we’re trying to relax, and don’t wanna here people retching all night. We could not even enjoy swimming in Big Eddy with our kids as other guests were playing explicit music through large speakers they brought down to the eddy and drinking on there paddle boards. Honestly if that was not enough, the trash from guests along the rivers edge was just despicable. Not the same magical place it once was. The Park is definitely manipulating its reviews on google some how. New fence, some trees put up for privacy and definitely a new Park Host, and this place could be nice.
Apr 15, 2025 · Lance Cook
Went car camping and made this a stop. Very nice area, clean, right off the highway but personally wasnt an issue for me. Restrooms are kept clean and theres plenty of distance from each campsite. Would stay here again if i happen to be in the area for sure
May 27, 2025 · Mel R
Overall, I really enjoyed our stay with multiple families with small kids.The good:HEATED bathroomsClean sites with garage cans at each sitePower hookup is 240v 30 and 50 amp plus 120v 20 amp all GFCIRiver accessPlayground2 picnic tables at each siteThe bad:Fairly loud from the road, which seems to be popular for cruising.Tons of yellow jackets. Bring traps!Water did not taste great. Just bring enough for drinking.
Sep 11, 2023 · Rachel Batzer