A Guide to the Best Northern Oregon Coast State Parks

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I knew virtually nothing about it before moving to Portland, Oregon, but I’ve come to love the Oregon Coast. It’s my perfect escape from the city, an easy drive to empty coves and rugged headlands. It’s the perfect place to let the sea breeze blow away all worries, to contemplate, to slow down, to find inspiration.

Once you’ve been there, it’s hard to imagine a coastline that could be more beautiful than the coast of Oregon. Few coasts in America, if not the world, are as downright spectacular and accessible as the Oregon Coast. And it’s that very combination that sets it apart.

Sure, they are beautiful coastlines in numerous places on Earth, from Italy’s Cinque Terre to Australia’s Twelve Apostles.

But where else can you drive for 362 miles (583 kilometers) along an oceanfront featuring charming fishing villages, epic cliffs, massive sea stacks, abundant wildlife, old-growth forests and literally dozens of state parks?

Must-Visit Northern Oregon Coast State Parks

There’s really nothing like the coast of Oregon… In this post, we’ll explore the best northern Oregon Coast state parks, all of which make for awesome day trips from Portland. (Weekend or week-long trips are, of course, even better!)

Nowadays, while some beaches are in private hands, countless more of them are protected by the numerous Oregon Coast state parks. In addition to wide stretches of sand, those Oregon state parks often also feature craggy headlands, a number of sea stacks, tide pools and coastal woodlands.

You’ll find this combination of natural scenery all along the coast. Yet, some places stand head and shoulder above the rest. On the northern coast of Oregon—the easiest accessible coast from Portland—, you should definitely visit the following state parks.

1. Ecola State Park

Famous Views & Easy Access

Located in Cannon Beach, basically the nearest coastal town to Portland, Ecola State Park is one of the most-visited and most-photographed state parks on the northern Oregon Coast.

This super-accessible park is famous for its view of Crescent Beach from Ecola Point, great surf and woodland hiking trails, including an 8-mile (13-kilometer) section of the Oregon Coast Trail.

I recommend descending to one of the beaches—both Crescent Beach and Indian Beach are amazing—exploring some tide pools and relaxing on the sand. Also keep your eyes open for wildlife, as this park is home to elk, deer and bald eagles. On a calm and clear day, you might even see gray whales in the ocean.

Camping and overnight parking is not allowed in the park, but you’ll find plenty of accommodation just a few minutes away in Cannon Beach.

Ecola State Park Info

• Nearest significant town: Cannon Beach (1.5 miles / 5 minutes)
• Ecola State Park main features:
  • Famous view of Indian Beach, Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock
  • Tillamook Rock Lighthouse
  • Great beaches
  • Surfing
  • Super-accessible
• Fee: $5 / day
• Website
• How long to stay: 2 days / 1 night

2. Hug Point State Recreation Site

The Hidden Gem

Less than 5 miles (8 kilometers) south of Cannon Beach awaits another beautiful northern Oregon Coast state park. This one, however, is much less famous—often overlooked even.

Yet, I highly recommend that you don’t just drive by because Hug Point is, in my opinion, home to one of the greatest beaches of northern Oregon.

Although it’s neither the longest nor the widest beach, it does have one unique feature—a waterfall. There’s literally a waterfall on the beach! Additionally, low tides also brings tide pools bustling with life and beautiful views of craggy headlands.

Note that you have to keep an eye on the tide when visiting this park, since it’s possible to become trapped when the tide rolls in.

Incidentally, this is also how the park got its name. The beach used to be a popular stagecoach route and settlers had to stay very close to, or “hug”, the headland.

Hug Point Info

• Nearest significant town: Cannon Beach (5 miles / 10 minutes)
• Hug Point main features:
  • Waterfall on the beach
  • Tide pools
  • Beautiful coastal cliffs and sea stacks
  • Relatively quiet
• Fee: free
• Website
• How long to stay: 1 day

3. Cape Lookout State Park

Amazing Camping

One of the most popular state parks on the northern Oregon Coast, Cape Lookout State Park is both a wonderful day-use area and a superb camping destination.

Occupying a sand spit that divides Netarts Bay and the Pacific Ocean, it’s home to 8 miles (13 kilometers) of hiking trails that lead through beautiful old-growth forests and to viewpoints.

The large campground at Cape Lookout is one of the best in this section of the Oregon Coast. It has 170 tent sites, 38 full-hookup sites, 13 yurts and even 6 deluxe cabins. Flush toilets and hot showers are available, while the sandy beach is only a stone’s throw away.

If you’re looking for the best things to do on the northern Oregon Coast, spending a night or two at this campground is one of them. Highly recommended!

Together with Cape Meares and Cape Kiwanda (see below), Cape Lookout State Park makes up the glorious Three Capes Scenic Route. On this particular stretch of coastline, this scenic drive is actually a better option than Oregon Highway 101, which bends inland here.

Cape Lookout Info

• Nearest significant town: Tillamook (10 miles / 15-20 minutes)
• Cape Lookout main features:
  • Spectacular views of the coast and ocean
  • Super-easy beach access
  • Large and well-equipped campground
  • Hiking trails
  • Whale watching
• Fees: $5 for day-use parking; separate rates for various campsites
• Website
• How long to stay: 2 days / 1 night

4. Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area

Wave Action & Beach Beers

One of my absolute favorite northern Oregon Coast state parks lies in Pacific City. Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area literally lies adjacent to this small tourist town, literally a short stroll on the beach from Pelican Brewing Company.

Cape Kiwanda is not a particular large park, comprised simply of a huge sand dune and towering coastal cliffs. These wind-beaten cliffs are a great place to see spectacular wave action.

Especially on cloudy and windy days, you can see enormous waves battering the rock formations here, which is super-impressive, maybe even frightening.

I recommend that you stay well away from the cliff edges during these conditions, though. People have been caught by surprise and swept into the ocean by freak waves before.

On clear days, the cape is an amazing vantage point for whale watching, as well as enjoying the sunset. Also, don’t miss the Pacific Dory Fleet, a fleet of small fishing boats that are launched from the beach in the morning and scoot back up onto the beach themselves in the afternoon. It’s quite a fun sight!

Finishing off the day with a couple of pints at Pelican Brewing Company is pretty much mandatory.

Cape Kiwanda Info

• Nearest significant town: Pacific City (1.5 miles / 5 minutes)
• Cape Kiwanda main features:
  • Huge wave action
  • Massive sand dune
  • Great sunset spot
  • Whale watching
  • Dory boat fishing fleet
  • Pelican Brewing Company
• Fee: free
• Website
• How long to stay: 1 day / 1 night

Northern Oregon Coast Road Trip from Portland

All these northern Oregon Coast state parks can be visited on one long loop drive from Portland. This awesome round-trip Portland road trip is more or less 250 miles (400 kilometers) long. When done in one go, without stopping at all, it’ll take you about 5.5 to 6 hours.

No one would do that, though. To properly see and experience these parks, spend at least the suggested amount of time in each of them.

In total, that would be 6 days of Oregon Coast state park fun—and as many nights. A great week on the northern Oregon Coast, in other words!

If you’d like to camp, I encourage you to either get a decent tent camping setup or consider an Oregon RV rental. As mentioned above, Cape Lookout has a fantastic campground just behind the beach.

(Other accommodation alternatives are found in main northern Oregon coast towns, such as Cannon Beach and Pacific City.)

Oregon Coast Free Beach Access

Also known as the “People’s Coast”, all Oregon beaches are accessible to the public. The 1967 Oregon Beach Bill granted that right to the people of Oregon and visitors by removing the property tax of beach landowners.

In return, anyone who owns a stretch of beach (defined by the area between the surf line and the vegetation line) allows free passage to pedestrians.

The bill also limits the construction of any private buildings on the beach, which is the main reason the Oregon Coast has remained so exceptionally pristine and untouched. It’s also why, in many places, you can have campfires on the beach. How awesome is that?

Note: This is an article that is very much in progress. As I keep exploring the state parks on the Oregon Coast, I will continue to add many more in the future, as well as update the information provided here.

Other Pacific Northwest Destinations

• Best Waterfall Hikes in the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
• Awesome National Parks Near Portland, Oregon
• What to Do in Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
• Top Things to Do in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
• Top Things to Do in Olympic National Park, Washington
• All National Parks in Washington State