Oregon is home to stunning stretches of coastline with miles of sandy beaches, scenic capes, old-growth forests, and the occasional lighthouse thrown in for a little extra flair.
The absolute best part of the Oregon coast is that the beaches are all open to everyone. That means that every single inch of beach from Fort Stevens State Park all the way down to Brookings is open for every single person to explore.
Along the way, there are dozens of state parks, ranging from full-service parks with trails and campgrounds to state scenic viewpoints that are often little more than a pullout on the side of the highway.
These parks protect some of the coast’s most scenic areas and are the perfect place to see the beauty that Oregon has to offer. So, let’s hit the road and explore seven of the state’s most scenic coastal state parks.
Fort Stevens State Park
Fort Stevens anchors the northern corner of the Oregon Coast and is one of the most diverse parks in the state. With miles of sandy beaches, a decommissioned military base, numerous lakes, one of the largest campgrounds in the state, and even a shipwreck, there is something for everyone here.
The park is also very conveniently located close to Astoria, so you don’t have to rough it too much camping here.
Don’t miss taking a drive up to the Columbia River Jetty, which extends miles out into the Pacific and protects the shipping channels along the Columbia River.
Ecola State Park
Cannon Beach is one of the most popular destinations along the entire Oregon Coast. With it being less than a 90-minute drive from Portland, it is no surprise that this scenic area attracts hordes of daytrippers.
If you’re looking to escape the crowds, though, then Ecola State Park is just the ticket. While the parking lots here can fill up fast, once you head out on the park’s trails, you’ll quickly find yourself immersed in the solitude of these ancient forests.
Those looking for a workout with a stunning view at the end can make the 3-mile round trip hike up to the hiker’s camp and overlook the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse (aka Terrible Tilly.)
Oswald West State Park
Just to the south of Cannon Beach, you’ll find another state park that is equally as stunning as its cousin to the north. Oswald West State Park is home to secluded beaches, waterfalls, stunning lookouts, and even a mountain with a calf-busting climb.
The parking lots for this stunning park are located right off Highway 101, and this area can fill up quickly on warm summer weekends. But like Ecola to the north, once you head out on the trails, it doesn’t take long before you’ll feel like you’re miles away from anyone.
Don’t miss the hike out to Cape Falcon for incredible views up and down the coast and into the secluded beaches of the park.
Beverly Beach State Park
Situated just north of the popular coastal town of Newport, Beverly Beach State Park offers the perfect way for campers to be close to all the amenities of town while still being connected with nature.
The park and campground are located on the east side of the highway but are just a short walk from this long sandy beach. One of the highlights here is the thousands of fossils contained within the bluffs along the shoreline.
While pulling any fossils out of the bluff is illegal, you are free to search through the rocks that have crumbled onto the beach. It usually won’t take long before you’re able to come across the fossilized remains of an ancient clam or scallop.
Cape Lookout State Park
Cape Lookout State Park is home to one of the most popular campgrounds in the entire state. Once you arrive and see the campsites, which back right up to the beach, you’ll quickly understand why this area is such an attraction for campers.
That is not all this stunning park offers, though. The trail that leads out to the lookout at the end of the cape can be surprisingly challenging, yet the views make it more than worth it.
Here, you’ll have views up and down the coastline and potentially a top-down look at the grey whales that make their way up and down the Oregon coast each winter and spring.
Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint
Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint sits just to the north of the charming town of Oceanside and its famous Tunnel Beach.
Here, you can explore the park’s trails, take in the oddity that is the Octopus Tree, walk around the state’s largest Sitka spruce, and tour the shortest lighthouse on the coast.
The parking lot at the park is relatively small, so we recommend parking near the entrance and hiking on busy summer weekend days rather than waiting in line for a spot near the lighthouse.
Humbug Mountain State Park
Humbug Mountain State Park is home to the tallest point along the entire Oregon Coast. This means that you can spend one day lounging on the sands along the beach and the next making the 5.5-mile trek up to the 1,765-foot summit of Humbug Mountain.
One of the main attractions in this area, though, is the numerous sea stacks that litter the shoreline.
