This Unique Logging Themed Restaurant & Museum is a True Taste of Oregon

by | Jun 27, 2023 | Adventures

If you're looking for a unique experience and a great place to fill your belly on your next Oregon Coast trip, look no further. It's known as Camp 18, and you will find this awesome family-owned restaurant on your way to and from the Oregon Coast in the woods, via Highway 26 between Portland and Seaside / Cannon Beach in the town of Elsie. Did we mention this great spot also includes a museum? Read more below.

camp 18
Kandie Walker / Google Local

Camp 18 Has Been a Local Favorite Since 1986

It's a must-stop for the true Oregon Coast experience when visiting local communities like Seaside, Astoria, Cannon Beach, Nehalem, Wheeler, or Portland. And it's not just the food here that's amazing, the dining experience is truly unique as you will be surrounded by logging tools, cool wood-carved statues of lumberjacks, and Oregon's own Sasquatch.

camp 18
Jordan McIntyre / Google Local

In the early 70s, Gordon Smith dreamed up the beautiful restaurant, and by 1986 it was built by hand with fellow logger Maurie Clark. Logging was already a part of Smiths' life from an early age as he grew up in a logging family. Back in 1966, he put up a sawmill on the 50 acres he purchased along the East Humbug Creek off of Highway 26. Eventually, he built the restaurant in 1986.

A native Oregonian himself, born in Astoria, Smith was raised in Jewell and was the first American to fight in the German Judo Clu, earning his black belt when coming back to the states. Today, Smith and his wife, Roberta run the restaurant. Their daughter and daughter-in-law are managers as well at Camp 18. Their son is the kitchen manager, alongside many of their employees who have working here for at least 30 years. Between the two they share 17 grandchildren, some of which work at the restaurant as well.

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This dining room table is made from a single piece of wood cut from an old-growth tree stump (Image by Camp 18)

Get cozy and enjoy a warm drink or cold beverage next to this fireplace, crafted from locally gathered materials and a black walnut mantle, in the main dining room.

camp 18
Image by Camp 18

Are you a breakfast lover like myself? Wait until you take a bite into their famous cinnamon rolls!

camp 18 restaurant
Tammy Pfaff / Google Local

Also on the menu is classic waffles, biscuits & gravy, omelets, sandwiches, and chicken or fish with many sides to choose from.

camp 18
Jim Riley / Google Local

From their hearty breakfast to lunch favorites and delicious dinner entrees, Camp 18 will ensure you don't leave hungry — everything from griddle cakes, burgers, pasta, steak, and more is offered on their menu.

camp 18
Steven C / Google Local

Museum at Camp 18

Accompanied by the restaurant visitors can also check out the small museum that's been dedicated to lost loggers. Smack in the middle of the museum is an impressive bronze statue of a logger cutting a tree.

camp 18
Sam Churchill / Flickr

And it's not just the museum where you will see awesome wooden sculptures and historic logging artifacts, just outside the large log cabin restaurant you will find a train car and other historic displays.

camp 18

And how can it not be the true Oregon experience without Bigfoot?

camp 18
The Sasquatch is back by the treeline, frozen in the same looking-over-the-shoulder pose as the Bigfoot in the Patterson film of 1967.  (Image by Joshua Smith / Flickr)

How to Get to Camp 18

Address: 42362 Highway 26, Seaside, Oregon 97138

Hours: Open Daily 8 am - 8 pm

On your next road trip to Seaside, you don't want to miss Camp 18. Their "logger style meals" are a must-have for anyone looking for a truly unique dining experience. Have you had a chance to dine here? Let us know in the comments, we'd love to hear from you!

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Written By Tyler James

Tyler James, founder of That Oregon Life, is a true Oregon native whose love for his state runs deep. Since the inception of the blog in 2013, his unbridled passion for outdoor adventures and the natural beauty of Oregon has been the cornerstone of his work. As a father to two beautiful children, Tyler is always in pursuit of new experiences to enrich his family’s life. He curates content that not only reflects his adventures but also encourages others to set out and create precious memories in the majestic landscapes of Oregon. Tyler's vision and guidance are integral to his role as publisher and editor, shaping the blog into a source of inspiration for exploring the wonders of Oregon.

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