Updated: April 25, 2024
Rockaway Beach, Oregon, may not have a busy boardwalk like the one in New York, but what it does have is miles of uncrowded, wide-open beaches, ancient rock formations, a giant tree, a giant corn dog, an old railroad and some quirky roadside attractions.
There’s a fun variety of things to do in Rockaway Beach and Garibaldi, Oregon if you’re looking for a weekend escape or day trip from Portland.
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Contents
- Where is Rockaway Beach, Oregon?
- Transportation to Rockaway Beach
- About Rockaway Beach
- Things to Do in Rockaway Beach, Oregon
- Places to Stay in Rockaway Beach, OR
Hotels
Vacation Rentals
Campgrounds - Restaurants and Dining in Rockaway Beach, Oregon
- Weather in Rockaway Beach, OR
- Tide Charts for Rockaway Beach, OR
- Annual Events and Festivals in Rockaway Beach, Oregon
Where is Rockaway Beach, Oregon?
Rockaway Beach is located on the northern Oregon Coast in Tillamook County, about 1 hour and 40 minutes driving from Portland (87 miles). The most common route from Portland is to take highway 26 west to highway 6 west.
You’ll drive over the coast range through the scenic Tillamook State Forest until you reach the town of Tillamook. From there, take highway 101 north along Tillamook Bay, through Garibaldi to Rockaway Beach.
Transportation to Rockaway Beach, OR
Driving is the easiest and fastest way to get to Rockaway Beach. For air, bus, train, car and camper rental information, see Transportation to the Oregon Coast.
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About Rockaway Beach, Oregon
This area was originally the native homeland of the Tillamook tribe. The few remaining natives who survived smallpox and the arrival of white settlers were relocated to reservations in the 1850s. For more about Oregon native history, see the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians.
In the early 1900s a group called the Rockaway Beach Company subdivided all of the land to create a seaside resort named after Rockaway Beach in New York. It was a long, rough, 2-week journey from Portland before the first passenger train connected Rockaway to Portland in 1912.
The steam train played a vital role in the growth and development of the town (see Oregon Historic Railroad below). Today, Rockaway Beach has a population of about 1300 residents.
Top Things to Do in Rockaway Beach, Oregon
Explore the Best Beaches
Manhattan Beach State Recreation Site is a wide-open, uncrowded stretch of sand great for long walks and kite flying just 5 minutes north of Rockaway Beach. The day-use area has picnic tables sheltered from the wind, restrooms and easy beach access.
Don’t miss the iconic Twin Rocks Arch, two ancient rock formations rising 88 feet up from the Pacific Ocean forming a 35-foot-wide arch. The closest view for a good snapshot is from the beach at the end of Minnehaha Street in Rockaway Beach.
About 5 minutes south of town, on the way to Garibaldi, you’ll see The Three Graces and Crab Rock, some interesting tree-topped rock formations with tide pools at low tide (there is no official parking area or access point so use caution, check tide tables and explore at your own risk).
See our complete list of Oregon Coast tide pool spots for a map and more areas to explore.
On the beach in front of the Silver Sands Hotel in Rockaway, the 1908 shipwreck of the Emily G. Reed sits buried in the sand. It’s not always visible, but sometimes harsh winter storms reveal the last wooden remnants of the wreckage.
👉 Learn about more shipwrecks on the Oregon Coast ».
See Rockaway's Big Tree
Take a walk through an old-growth forest on a wooden boardwalk to visit an ancient giant. Inside the city limits of Rockaway Beach, in the Cedar Wetlands Preserve, there stands a humongous western red cedar tree that is 800 to 1200 years old and measures 49 feet around and 150 feet tall.
The tree is about a one-mile walk via a newly built, elevated boardwalk through the lush, boggy wetlands. A viewing platform at the end of the trail surrounds the base of the tree with a few picnic tables and benches.
Leashed pets are welcome and the path is stroller and wheelchair accessible. The trailhead and small parking lot is located right off Highway 101 near Washington Street.
See our guide to easy day hikes on the Oregon Coast for more nature trails.
Ride the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad
In the nearby fishing community of Garibaldi, Oregon, just 5 miles south of Rockaway Beach, the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad operates two steam locomotives, one of which (pictured above) appeared in the 1986 movie, Stand by Me.
Visitors can take a 30-minute ride between Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach, departing from either town. There’s also a 3-hour sunset dinner train ride, moonlight rides and additional special trips added throughout the year, like the fall foliage ride and the Candy Cane Express Holiday train. Tickets can be booked on the website.
For more local history while you’re in the area, the Garibaldi Museum has a collection of maritime artifacts and information about Captain Robert Gray, the 18th-century seafaring explorer.
Go Fishing, Clamming and Crabbing
Tillamook Bay is teeming with fish and shellfish year-round. Find the best crabbing and clamming spots near Rockaway Beach and be sure to get the proper licenses and check regulations before you head out, or go with a local fishing charter boat company. See “Camping and RV Parks” below for two marinas that offer guided experiences.
Lake Lytle is a small freshwater lake just off the east side of highway 101 in the north end of Rockaway Beach. The lake is a popular fishing spot stocked annually with rainbow trout (and sometimes steelhead).
For information about licenses and updated fishing reports for the Marine Zone visit the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
- You may also be interested in:
- Things to do at the Oregon Coast – browse by activity
- Relax in laid-back Manzanita, Oregon
- Visit the famous Tillamook Creamery
- Book a guided tour on the Oregon Coast and see the sights with a local expert
Places to Stay in Rockaway Beach, Oregon
👉 You may also be interested in the Best Budget-Friendly Hotels on the Oregon Coast.
Campgrounds and RV Parks Near Rockaway Beach, Oregon
About 4 miles north of Rockaway Beach, Kelly’s Brighton Marina & Campground and Jetty Fishery Marina & RV Park offer tent and RV campsites along with crabbing, clamming, fishing and boat rentals. They’ll even cook your catch!
Barview Jetty County Campground, located 3 miles south of Rockaway, offers year-round tent and full-hookup RV campsites and cabin rentals with easy access to the beach and north jetty.
Nehalem Bay State Park is 25 minutes north of Rockaway Beach, is open year round and offers tent and full-hookup RV campsites, horse camp, hiker/biker camp, airport camp with primitive fly-in campsites and yurt rentals.
🌲 See our full guide to campgrounds on the Oregon Coast.
🚐 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 Rockaway Beach, OR
When it rains on your hot dog buns, make corn dogs. At least that’s what George Boyington thought when he invented the corn dog 80 years ago right here in Rockaway Beach, Oregon. Stop in at The Original Pronto Pup off highway 101 and grab a dog or two– they’re hand-dipped and made to order. Just look for the giant corn dog on the roof and the mechanical corn dog out front (yep, you can ride it)!
Most of the restaurants in Rockaway Beach are located along highway 101.
Beach Bakeshop in Rockaway makes fresh-baked Sand Dollar Hand Pies and flaky danishes along with savory breakfast and lunch options like bacon-cheddar biscuits, clam chowder and sandwiches.
The Old Oregon Smokehouse is a popular spot in Rockaway Beach for fish and chips, chowder, crab melts and seafood (outside seating only).
Garibaldi Portside Bistro serves in-house smoked meats, seafood, sandwiches and gourmet burgers with a bayfront view.
See our complete list of restaurants on the Oregon Coast for more food and drink options in the region.
Weather in Rockaway Beach, Oregon
The weather in Rockaway Beach, OR, 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.
What is the best month to visit the Oregon Coast? See our seasonal weather guide for more about the best time of year to travel.
The beaches are usually breezy and cool, so it’s a good idea to wear layers and bring rain gear. Find out what to wear to the Oregon Coast and download a free packing list.
Tide Charts for Rockaway Beach 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 Oregon Coast tide pools near Rockaway Beach.
Annual Events and Festivals in Rockaway Beach and Garibaldi, Oregon
Looking for more fun things to do in Rockaway Beach and Garibaldi, Oregon? Here’s a list of major events to help you plan your trip.
July – Garibaldi Days, Rockaway Beach, Oregon 4th of July festivities
August – Rockaway Beach, OR Arts and Crafts Fair
September – Port of Garibaldi Seafood & Spirits Festival, Rockaway Beach, OR Kite Festival
For more details and events, stop by the little red caboose Visitor’s Center on 1st Street in Rockaway Beach.
👉 See more events on the Oregon Coast
Taking a road trip? From Rockaway Beach, drive 20 minutes north to Manzanita, or head 25 minutes south to Tillamook to continue exploring Oregon Coast towns.
