Updated May 1, 2024
Yes, Oregon has a reputation for having some of the best hiking trails in the United States but coastal hikes in Oregon are particularly magical. Wander through our lush coastal forests filled with gigantic, moss-covered old-growth trees, ferns and mushrooms to be rewarded with panoramic views of the vast, blue Pacific Ocean, rock formations, old lighthouses and maybe even a spouting whale.
Most of the following hiking trails on the Oregon Coast are well-maintained and range from easy to moderate day hikes, though there are harder routes in many of these parks as well, if you’re an experienced hiker.
There are so many hiking trails, it’s hard to list them all! Below, we’ve listed some of the best hikes on or near the Oregon Coast, many of which have multiple trails to choose from.
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Northern Oregon Coast Hiking Trails
Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint and Octopus Tree Trail
Nearest town: Oceanside
Features: See a small lighthouse, sweeping ocean views and a monstrous Sitka spruce called the Octopus Tree.
More information: Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint
📍 Get directions to Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint.
👉 Find more lighthouses on the Oregon Coast.
Fort Stevens State Park Trails
Nearest town: Astoria
Features: A large recreation area and campground at the site of an old military fort that guarded the mouth of the Columbia River through World War II. There are 15 miles of multi-use trails great for biking and walking, as well as a disc golf course, a lake and a shipwreck on the beach.
More information: Fort Stevens State Park
📍 Get directions to Fort Stevens State Park.
Cape Lookout Trail
Nearest towns: Tillamook and Pacific City
Features: Walk through sitka spruce and hemlock forest high above the Pacific Ocean on the way to the tip of Cape Lookout (trail can be muddy year-round).
Update 1/20/2024:
The North Trail at Cape Lookout has been closed due to downed trees and damage to the bridge from the recent winter storm.
More information: Check the latest updates about Cape Lookout State Park.
📍 Get directions to Cape Lookout State Park.
Ecola State Park Hiking Trails
Nearest towns: Seaside and Cannon Beach
Features: Cliffside viewpoints, secluded coves, coastal forests and views of an abandoned lighthouse on clear days. This is one of the most scenic areas for coastal Oregon hikes with some of the best beach trails and tide pools to explore.
More information: Ecola State Park
📍 Get directions to Ecola State Park.
Hug Point Waterfall and State Recreation Site
Nearest towns: Arch Cape and Cannon Beach
Features: Easy walk to a beach cove where you can see Hug Point waterfall, explore sea caves carved into sandstone cliffs and access tide pools during low tide. Check tide tables before you go (only accessible at low tide). This is a great waterfall near Cannon Beach to explore while you’re staying in the area and isn’t too hard to reach if you time it right.
More information: Hug Point Waterfall State Recreation Site
📍 Get directions to Hug Point State Recreation Site.
Oswald West State Park
Nearest town: Manzanita
Features: Oswald West State Park offers 2,484 acres of some of the best coastal Oregon hikes, secluded sandy beaches, surf spots and coastal rainforest. Short Sand Beach Trail (easy), Cape Falcon (moderate) and Neahkahnie Mountain (challenging) are popular hiking trails.
📄 Download the Oswald West trail map (pdf) from Oregon State Parks
More information: Oswald West State Park
📍 Get directions to Oswald West State Park
Cedar Wetlands Preserve
Nearest town: Rockaway Beach
👩🦽Features: Easy 1-mile walk on an elevated wooden boardwalk through old-growth forest wetlands to a giant western red cedar tree. Stroller and wheelchair accessible.
More information: Cedar Wetlands Preserve
📍 Get directions to The Big Tree trailhead.
Sitka Sedge State Natural Area
Nearest town: Pacific City
Features: Views of tidal flats, saltwater marshes, wildflowers, coastal Oregon forest wetlands, marsh wildlife and sandy beaches.
More information: Sitka Sedge State Natural Area
📍 Get directions to Sitka Sedge State Natural Area.
Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area
Nearest town: Pacific City
Features: A short but steep beach hike up a sand dune will reward you with scenic views. The sandstone headland here is constantly eroding, forming interesting rock formations that can be viewed from behind a safety fence.
More information: Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area
📍 Get directions to Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area.
Central Oregon Coast Hiking Trails
Cascade Head Trail
Nearest town: Lincoln City
UPDATE 7/11/2023: The Lower Trail appears to be the only open trail at this time in Cascade Head Preserve.
More information: Cascade Head Preserve
📍 Get directions to Cascade Head Preserve.
Siuslaw National Forest
Between the towns of: Tillamook and Coos Bay
Features: There are miles of gorgeous hiking trails in this vast coastal Oregon national forest area, including waterfalls, creeks, lakes, dunes, mountain summits, ridges and coastline. Drift Creek Falls is a popular hike to a waterfall that includes crossing a suspension bridge.
👉 For more hiking information, including directions, descriptions and trail maps, visit Siuslaw National Forest.
Cape Perpetua Scenic Area
Nearest town: Yachats
Features: This strikingly beautiful headland projecting into the Pacific Ocean forms the highest point accessible by car on the entire coast. There are 26 miles of hiking trails in Cape Perpetua Scenic Area featuring old-growth forests, Native American shell middens, the Devil’s Churn, Thor’s Well, tidepools and stunning views. The stone shelter is a fun hike to an old stone structure overlooking the ocean.
More information: Cape Perpetua Scenic Area (including maps and a downloadable trail guide)
📍 Get directions to Cape Perpetua Scenic Area.
Heceta Head Lighthouse and Hobbit Trail
Nearest town: Florence
Features: Visit the iconic Heceta Head Lighthouse and explore the Hobbit Trail and the surrounding coastal hiking trail network. Take in spectacular ocean views and spot wildlife, including whales, sea lions and elk.
More information: Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint
📍 Get directions to Heceta Head Lighthouse.
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
Between the towns of: Florence and Coos Bay
Features: These sandy hiking trails pass through the mystical coastal landscape that inspired the Dune novel and movies. Explore freshwater lakes, coastal forests, tree islands and beach hiking trails that are more challenging than they may appear.
More information:
👉 See our guide to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, including maps.
Southern Oregon Coast Hiking Trails
Cape Arago State Park
Nearest town: Coos Bay
Features: There are many Oregon Coast hikes and scenic beach hiking trails near Coos Bay to explore, especially between Cape Arago and Bastendorff Beach. See the sheer seaside cliffs, big waves and rock formations, a lighthouse, seals, sea lions and tide pools.
More information: Cape Arago State Park
📍 Get directions to Cape Arago State Park.
Bandon State Natural Area and Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint
Nearest town: Bandon
Features: This section of the Oregon Coast is great for short, easy beach hikes with views of scenic coastline and interesting rock formations.
More information: Bandon State Natural Area and Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint
📍 Get directions to Bandon State Natural Area and Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint.
Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor
Nearest town: Brookings
Features: Several trails in this scenic corridor offer some of the best coastal hikes in Oregon leading to dramatic bluffs and rock formations with views of blue-green ocean pools on clear days. It’s one of the most photographed sections of coastline in Oregon and is truly impressive.
More information: Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor
📍 Get directions to Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor.
Harris Beach State Park
Nearest town: Brookings
Features: Discover Oregon’s more rugged southern coast in this park with several coastal hiking trails, a beach campground and miles of quiet beaches to roam.
More information: Harris Beach State Park
📍 Get directions to Harris Beach State Park.
Hiking the Oregon Coast Trail (OCT)
The Oregon Coast Trail (OCT) is made up of ten trail segments that run the entire 363-mile length of the Oregon Coast through forests, beaches and towns from the Columbia River in the north to the California border in the south.
Learn more about the Oregon Coast Trail.
📍 Get maps of each segment on the Oregon Coast Trail.
Map of Oregon Coast Hiking Trails
Just click the hiking map below to see more details about each trailhead location.
Places to Stay at the Oregon Coast
Hotels and Vacation Rentals
Compare prices and book early for the best options and properties to choose from. Hotels on the Oregon Coast tend to fill up in summer, on weekends and during holidays and festivals. Popular towns in the northern coast region near Portland will fill up faster than towns further south.
Our guides to each of the Oregon Coast towns also suggest options for where to stay and list the major annual events to help you plan.
We like Booking.com for its fast, easy-to-use app with mobile-only and “genius” deals on hotels and vacation rentals. Vrbo is also a great place to search for cozy cabins and beach houses.
Camping and RV Parks
Camping is one of our favorite ways to experience the natural beauty of Oregon and many state parks have hiking trails nearby. Oregon has some of the nicest state parks in the country, featuring tent sites, hiker/biker camps, horse camps, group camps, RV sites with full hookups, cozy yurts and deluxe cabins available for rent.
🌲 See our full guide to State Park campgrounds on the Oregon Coast for a complete list.
🚐 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!
Transportation
Driving is the most convenient way to explore the Oregon Coast at your own pace but there are car-free options available. For air, train, bus and rental car information, see Transportation to the Oregon Coast.
🚗 Save up to 70% on your next car rental through DiscoverCars.
Weather - Best Time for Hiking the Oregon Coast
Weekends, summer months and holidays are the busiest times to visit the Oregon Coast. Trails will likely have more traffic during these peak times and parking lots will fill up, so arrive early in the morning to dodge the crowds, especially if there is warm, sunny weather in the forecast.
Spring, fall and winter hiking means muddy trails and bigger waterfalls. Be prepared for wet, cold and stormy weather. See Oregon Coast Weather – When to Visit for more about the weather in this region of the Pacific Northwest.
Tide Charts for the Oregon Coast
There are two low tides and two high tides every day on Oregon’s coast. Low tide is a good time for beachcombing, tide pools, cave exploration and clamming.
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.
To find the best tide pools in each region, see our Oregon Coast tide pools guide.
🦅 Keep your eyes peeled for birds! Most of these Oregon Coast hiking trails are also some of the best spots for bird watching.
Find more fun outdoor activities on the Oregon Coast.
Taking a road trip? Continue exploring the small towns of the Oregon Coast.
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