Looking for the best hiking, views, beaches and more on the Northern Oregon Coast? Read this article for the best things to do on the North Oregon Coast!

why me? Hi there! My name is Maddy, and I’m a sea kayaking guide/ outdoor writer, and this article was written by a person and wilderness sea kayaking guide! All photos are my own, and I’ve actually been to all the places I’m writing about. I’m here to help you have a great vacation and make the most of your time. Enjoy!

Best Things to Do on the North Oregon Coast

note! this article contains affiliate links. That means if you choose to make a purchase based on my recommendation, I make a small kickback at no additional cost to you.

What to pack for visiting the Northern Oregon Coast:

• A lightweight, long hiking pant. I use this pair from Kuhl. Want to STRONGLY recommend these! I went up two pants sizes over the winter and have been really struggling with body image issues because of it. These are the only pants I feel like look good on me. They are so flattering, the fit guide is helpful, they’re moisture wicking but also not too “hiker” if you know what I mean, and I just feel good in them. Anyways, if you too are struggling to find pants that don’t make you hate yourself, check out these. (These were gifted to me by Kuhl!)
• A fleece. Any fleece will do, but I really love my Patagonia Synchilla
• Wool baselayers. Five years of heavy paddling and my Smartwool baselayers are the only wool baselayers I’ve had that have really stood the test of time. The basic REI stuff lasted about a season, my Icebreakers top also didn’t really last long. 
• Study hiking boots. I like my Briger Mids. Working in outdoor retail I literally never had anyone try on these shoes and not buy them. Pair with Darn Tough hiking socks. 
• A puffy jacket. It can be cool even in the summer along the coast, especially evenings. My partner Andy (also a wilderness guide) swears by the Patagonia Nano Puff. I like my Helly Hansen Liftloft. 
• A Tent: Read my budget tent recommendations here!
• A day hiking pack: I love my Perimeter 35L, made by local Two Harbors company Granite Gear. I was gifted this pack a few years back and it’s still my go-to day pack.
• Sleeping Bag: Check out the Nemo Disco down sleeping bag for the perfect comfortable set up for chilly nights. Pair with a comfortable sleeping pad.
• A raincoat. I love the Moss Raincoat from Helly Hansen; It’s affordable, cute, and super durable.
• A Northwest Forest Pass is required to hike in the National Forest, and an Oregon State Park pass in state parks.

looking for a more detailed guide to packing and planning for your PNW trip? Click here 🙂

1) Ecola State Park

Looking to visit one of the most beautiful beaches in Oregon? Head to Ecola State Park, just north of Cannon Beach. This state park features excellent hiking along the Oregon Coast Trail, with views of beaches, sea stacks and more. If you only have a few hours, check out Indian Beach and Crescent Beach, both featured in a handful of movies including Twilight and The Goonies.

Ecola State Park is one of the best places on the northern Oregon Coast for hiking and views. Click here for a map of Ecola State Park.

2) Lewis and Clark National Historic Park

Looking to learn about the history of the Northern Oregon Coast and the Columbia River? Head to the Lewis and Clark National Historic Park to check out the museum, learn more about the Lewis and Clark expedition, and experience history. You can learn more about this National Historic Park here.

3) Tillamook Lighthouse (“Terrible Tilly”)

Have you heard about the coolest, most haunted Lighthouse on the North Oregon Coast? Terrible Tilly, or Tillamook Lighthouse, is over a mile from shore on a rock in the Pacific Ocean, exposed to to full fury of winter storms on the coast. Construction began in the 1880s, and several people died during the construction of the Lighthouse. The Light remained operational for several decades before the light was destroyed by boulders hurled in a storm.

Today, the iconic ghost lighthouse can be viewed from Tillamook Head in Ecola State park. Read more about Terrible Tilly here.

4) Cannon Beach

Looking for one of the best towns (and most famous!) on the Northern Oregon Coast? Head to Cannon Beach. Here, you’ll find excellent shops, fish & chips, and so much more as well as the extremely well-known Haystack Rock.

5) Oswald West State Park

If you’re looking for the best hiking on the Northern Oregon Coast, look no further than Oswald West State Park. Oswald West State Park has miles of great hiking including the beautiful Short Sands Beach. If you’re visiting this state park, I recommend budgeting at least half a day and visiting at sunset.

Click here for a map of Oswald West State Park.

6) Devil’s Caldron and Elk Flats

For some of the most beautiful and easy hiking trails on the Oregon Coast to incredible Overlooks, visit Devil’s Caldron and the Elk Flats area of Oswald West State Park. Here, you’ll find overlooks of dramatic sea caves that look like they came straight out of Lord of the Rings!

7) Neahkahnie Viewpoint

For one of the most beautiful roadside pullouts on the Northern Oregon Coast and best sunset spots, check out the Neahkahnie Viewpoint. This easy roadside pullout looks out over the Pacific Ocean and town of Manzanita below.

8) Downtown Manzanita

Looking to beat the crowds of Cannon Beach but still want the coastal surf-town vibe? Head to Manzanita near Oswald West State Park. Manzanita is an adorable small town on the coast with great coffee shops, food, and more with a fraction of the crowds of Cannon Beach.

9) Tillamook

For one of America’s coolest small towns, head to Tillamook, OR for great cheese and shopping. This small town is full of bakeries, and check out any of the many great breweries in the area.

10) Cape Meares State Park

Looking for an Oregon Lighthouse you can easily hike to? Head to Cape Meares State Park south of Tillamook. This beautiful Cape has several short hiking trails and is considered one of the best places to whale watch in Oregon. Click here for a trail map and more information.

11) Cape Lookout State Park

For one of the best places to camp year-round on the Northern Oregon Coast, head to Cape Lookout State Park. This park has excellent hiking trails and beautiful beaches and is well away from the crowds at Cannon Beach and Ecola State Park. We stayed here in early December and it was absolutely magical. Sites are reservation only, and you can even reserve a yurt site.

Click here for the trails in the park.

How do I hike the beaches in Oregon with the tide?

One of the most important things to keep in mind when hiking on the beach in Oregon is the tide! Places that might be accessible at a low tide, will be underwater in a few hours if you plan incorrectly. As a quick rule of thumb, only beach hike when the swell is low, never during storms, and hike during a falling, or ebb tide when the water level is getting lower and not higher. Consult a tide table before embarking on your hike.

Do I need to worry about sneaker waves when hiking on the Oregon Coast?

When hiking on the beach on the Oregon Coast, it’s good to be aware that sneaker waves, or unexpectedly large waves much larger than previous sets, are an additional hazard and may knock you down or even out to sea. If you are hiking on established forest trails and not on the beach, you do not need to worry about sneaker waves. However, hiking on the beach keep sneaker waves in mind.

Sneaker waves are most common in winter months when large, off-shore storms stir up large swell. Keep especially aware of sneaker waves on rising tides. A good rule of thumb to hike safe near the coast is to never turn your back to the ocean, and keep a healthy distance between you and the water when the waves are large. If the ground is wet from previous waves, It will be wet again soon.

scenes from the Oregon Coast in the winter!

If I only have one or two days on the North Oregon Coast, what should I do?

If you’re extremely limited on time visiting Northern Oregon, I recommend focusing on Oswald West State Park. This area has some of the best viewpoints and the nearby town of Manzanita is so cute. If you’re looking to camp and emulate a more rustic experience with less driving, focus in on the Cape Lookout area instead.

Love reading about the best things to do on the North Oregon Coast? Check out these other beautiful PNW destinations…

• Visit Olympic National Park on a shoestring budget
• Read the 25 Best Things to do in the San Juan Islands
• Check out the best hiking off the Mount. Baker Highway

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