Updated: February 6, 2024
On a scenic stretch of Highway 101 along the picturesque coastline, Arch Cape, Oregon, is a quiet beach community in-between the more popular towns of Cannon Beach and Manzanita. It’s the perfect place to slip away, unplug, relax and recharge.
Below, we’ve rounded up the top things to do in and around Arch Cape along with recommendations on where to stay and eat for a perfect Oregon Coast weekend.
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Contents
- Where is Arch Cape, Oregon?
- Transportation to Arch Cape
- About Arch Cape
- Things to Do in Arch Cape
- Places to Stay in Arch Cape
Hotels
Vacation Rentals
Campgrounds - Where to Eat in Arch Cape – Restaurants and Dining
- Weather in Arch Cape, Oregon
- Tide Charts for Arch Cape, Oregon
- Annual Events and Festivals in Arch Cape
Where is Arch Cape, Oregon?
Arch Cape is located on the northern Oregon Coast in Clatsop County, about a 1.5-hour drive from Portland (84 miles). Take Highway 26 west from Portland, then head south on Highway 101 until you reach Arch Cape, about 10 minutes south of Cannon Beach.
Transportation to Arch Cape, Oregon
Driving is the most common way to get to Arch Cape. For air, bus, train, car and camper rental information, see Transportation to the Oregon Coast.
🚗 Save up to 70% on your next car rental through DiscoverCars.
About Arch Cape, Oregon
Arch Cape is a sleepy, unincorporated community on the Oregon Coast with a resident population of about 200, however it increases to about 900 in summer. More of a designated area than a town, it’s mainly made up of beach homes and rentals with a few hotels. The beach can be accessed by walking to the end of Leech Lane or W. Ocean Lane.
Top Things to Do Near Arch Cape
Visit Hug Point Waterfall
Just a mile north of Arch Cape, Hug Point State Recreation Site is a popular beach cove where you can see the Hug Point waterfall on the beach, explore sea caves and tidepools during low tide and go rockhounding for agates. Be sure to check the tide tables before you go and time your visit with the low tide or you won’t be able to access this part of the beach.
Follow the beach north around the rocky point during low tide to access the Hug Point waterfall. Keep track of the time to ensure a safe return! Tides can rise quickly, potentially blocking your way back around the point.
Just north of the Hug Point waterfall, Arcadia Beach State Recreation Site also has beach access with some rock formations to explore.
Looking for more tide pool locations? See our Oregon Coast Tide Pools Guide for more tide pool spots in this region.
Explore Oswald West State Park
Head south from Arch Cape and you’ll pass the entrance to Cove Beach, a quiet, rocky beach worth exploring at low tide. Keep heading south on 101 a few more minutes and you’ll find one of the most scenic parks on the Oregon Coast.
Oswald West State Park spans 2,484 acres including a day-use area, miles of hiking trails and sandy beaches. There is no overnight camping in this park, but Cape Falcon trail and Neahkahnie Mountain trail are popular day hikes and Smuggler Cove, Devil’s Cauldron and Treasure Cove are fun areas to explore.
A 13-mile segment of the Oregon Coast Trail also goes through the park, starting in Arch Cape. Learn more about hiking trails on the Oregon Coast.
Short Sand Beach (“Shorty’s”) is a surfing spot and secluded beach surrounded by coastal cliffs with some good tide pools. Blumenthal Falls is at the north end of the beach. Short Sand is reachable by an easy, half-mile walk through coastal forest.
If you’re not up for a hike, pull off at the Neahkahnie Viewpoint to soak up the view and snap a photo.
Head North to Cannon Beach
The most popular destination on the coast, Cannon Beach, Oregon is best known for iconic Haystack Rock, a massive sea stack that rises 235 feet above the water (also famous for being in The Goonies along with Astoria, Oregon).
National Geographic has called it “one of the world’s 100 most beautiful places” and recently named Cannon Beach one of the best U.S. beach towns to visit in the fall. Lonely Planet has also crowned Cannon Beach as one of the World’s Best Beaches.
👉 Find places to stay in Cannon Beach, along with the best restaurants and things to do. More about Cannon Beach
Head South to Manzanita
About 12 minutes south of Arch Cape is the little mellow beach town of Manzanita, Oregon. There are more businesses and things to do in Manzanita from cafes and restaurants to gift shops and a local grocery store. The main street dead ends at a beautiful stretch of unspoiled beach. Find places to stay, excellent restaurants and more things to do in Manzanita, Oregon. More about Manzanita
Places to Stay in Arch Cape, Oregon
Vacation Rentals in Arch Cape, Oregon
If you’re looking for an oceanfront vacation home, this beach house in Arch Cape, Oregon, is perched on a bluff overlooking the beach. The 3-bedroom, 2-bath house sleeps up to 6 guests and offers beachfront views, a private yard, board games and puzzles, an equipped kitchen, gas BBQ and a selection of beach toys and chairs.
Campgrounds and RV Parks Near Arch Cape, Oregon
A little over 10 miles south of Arch Cape, Nehalem Bay State Park is open year-round and offers tent and full-hookup RV campsites, a horse camp, hiker/biker camp, airport camp with primitive fly-in campsites and yurt rentals.
Our guide to state park campgrounds on the Oregon Coast has a complete list of campgrounds in the northern coast region with more information about how to reserve campsites.
🚐 There are several privately owned RV parks and campgrounds along the Oregon Coast off Highway 101. Services and facilities can vary widely, so be sure to check reviews on Google Maps or use a trusted trip-planning app like RV Life to read unbiased reviews of campgrounds by other RVers. Try it free!
Restaurants and Dining in Arch Cape, Oregon
There are no restaurants in Arch Cape. Find nearby restaurants in Cannon Beach and places to eat in Manzanita for more options.
You can also browse more restaurants on the Oregon Coast by city.
Weather in Arch Cape, Oregon
The weather in Arch Cape, Oregon, is generally cool (50s-60s F) and damp with frequent rain throughout the year, with the exception of July and August. Temperatures rarely get too hot in summer with highs in the 60s-70s. Lows dip down into the 30s in winter but snow is rare. Spring and Autumn are a mix of sunny and rainy days.
The beaches in Oregon are usually breezy and it’s a good idea to wear layers and bring a windbreaker and/or rain coat. For more help on what to wear to the Oregon Coast, see our seasonal guide including a free downloadable packing list.
Tide Charts for Arch Cape and the Oregon Coast
There are two low tides and two high tides every day on Oregon’s coast. Low tide is the time for beachcombing, clamming, tide pools and cave exploration.
For your safety, be aware of the tide schedule before boating or heading out to beaches and always keep an eye on the water level. Use extreme caution in rocky areas near the water, where sneaker waves can (and do) strike.
🌊 Check tide tables or ask at state park offices, local visitor information centers and many stores and hotels for a free tide table booklet.
🦀 Find the best tide pools on the Oregon Coast near Arch Cape.
Annual Events and Festivals near Arch Cape, Oregon
Looking for more fun things to do near Arch Cape? Check for local events in Cannon Beach or Manzanita.
👉 See more events on the Oregon Coast
Taking a road trip? From Arch Cape, drive 8 minutes north to Cannon Beach, or 12 minutes south to Manzanita to continue exploring Oregon Coast towns.
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