Tillamook Air MuseumAbout Tillamook Air Museum
The Tillamook Air Museum is an aviation museum located at Tillamook County Regional Airport in Tillamook, Oregon. It occupies a World War II blimp hangar built in 1942 that is noted for its very large wooden clear-span structure.
The museum presents a collection of historic military and civilian aircraft, cockpit sections, engines, and aviation artifacts arranged on the hangar floor. The hangar interior provides space for large displays and occasional special events and fly-ins.
The hangar was constructed during World War II to house lighter-than-air patrol craft used for coastal defense. After military use ended the structure was repurposed to host museum exhibits and aviation preservation activities.
Sited at the airport near the town of Tillamook on Oregon’s north coast, the museum lies within the coastal county that shares the town name and is accessible from Highway 101 and local roads.
- Hangar history: Built in 1942 as a naval airship hangar and is noted as one of the world’s largest wooden structures.
- Visitor logistics: Check seasonal opening hours and special-event days before visiting, as the museum operates on limited schedules outside peak season.
What to See#
- Hangar interior: Occupies the World War II blimp hangar at Tillamook County Regional Airport, where the vast clear-span interior is used to display large aircraft and full-size exhibits.
- Museum exhibits: Contains rotating exhibits, restoration areas, and parked aircraft that visitors can view on the hangar floor; specific exhibit aircraft vary over time and special events are scheduled seasonally.
Best Time to Visit Tillamook Air Museum
Visit on a weekday in shoulder seasons to avoid crowds; special events and restoration nights are highlights if scheduled.
Weather & Climate near Tillamook Air Museum
Tillamook Air Museum's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Mediterranean - Warm-Summer Mediterranean climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in December). Temperatures range from 2°C to 22°C. Heavy rainfall (2138 mm/year), wettest in December.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 2° - 10° | 3° | 317 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 3° - 12° | 4° | 251 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 3° - 13° | 5° | 231 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 4° - 15° | 7° | 163 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 6° - 17° | 12° | 113 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 9° - 20° | 14° | 78 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 10° - 22° | 16° | 37 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 10° - 23° | 16° | 36 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 8° - 22° | 15° | 89 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 5° - 18° | 12° | 165 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 3° - 12° | 5° | 318 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 2° - 10° | 2° | 340 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Tillamook Air Museum
The museum is located in Tillamook County, Oregon, at the site of the former Naval Air Station. From US-101, follow local signage toward the Tillamook Air Museum/Hangar B. The facility is about 1-1.5 hours’ drive west of Portland depending on traffic. Limited parking is available on site; check the website for event-specific directions.
Tips for Visiting Tillamook Air Museum
- Wear good walking shoes - exhibits are large and the hangar's floor can be uneven in places.
- Plan at least 90-120 minutes; the museum's collection of restored aircraft and the hangar architecture both deserve time.
- Check for special events; the museum hosts guest speakers, restoration demonstrations, and fly-ins on occasion.