Jutting out from the coast of Oregon west of Portland, Cape Lookout is a prominent promontory with tall cliffs towering hundreds of feet above the Pacific Ocean. The campground in Cape Lookout State Park is not as soaring. Luckily for beach-lovers, the campground is tucked right behind a big, beautiful beach on the north side of the cape. Cape Lookout State Park Campground is a major destination, with over 200 campsites. ...Read more.

Camping by the ocean should be easy and relaxing – Fun in the sun and toes in the sand. That's what you can expect to find at Whalen Island County Campground in Tillamook County. This 33-site campground sits inside the Sand Lake Estuary, a special spot along the Three Capes Scenic Loop between Cape Kiwanda and Cape Lookout on the Oregon Coast. Right from the campground, it is easy to go kayaking, paddleboarding, bird watching, fishing, clamming or hiking. ...Read more.

What is Whalen Island? It's not quite an island. It's not quite on Oregon's ocean shore. What it is... is a place that is unique, soothing, and beautiful. Wrapped be beaches and shaded by shore pines, Whalen Island sits at the heart of Sand Lake Estuary. Whalen Island – which only becomes an island during seasonal high tides - is just inland from the ocean (close enough to see the waves) on the Tillamook Coast between Cape Lookout and Pacific City. ...Read more.

Measuring 319 feet tall, Munson Creek Falls is no tiny trickler. In fact, this is Oregon's tallest waterfall west of the Willamette River. Munson Creek Falls has picturesque silky tiers framed by canyon greenery. The trek to the waterfall, Munson Creek Falls Trail, is just a quarter mile long (half a mile round trip) with 90 feet of elevation change. ...Read more.

If you find yourself in Oceanside, a small community on the Oregon coast west of Tillamook, you are bound to spend some of the day at Oceanside Beach. This inviting stretch of sand looks out at the wild and lovely islands known as the Three Arch Rocks. Beach goers can enjoy all the usual fun in the sand. Plus, Oceanside Beach State Recreation Site has something unique. ...Read more.

Just south of Lincoln City on the Oregon coast, Highway 101 crosses the Siletz River as it flows into Siletz Bay and the Pacific Ocean. It is at this location that you will find Alder Island Nature Trail, which opened in 2017 and offers a level 0.85-mile loop hike around an island between the river and its marshes. While it might lack the ocean views of surrounding coastal hikes, Alder Island Nature Trail is a tranquil spot for a short, easy outing with wildlife-viewing opportunities. ...Read more.

One hike in Northwest Oregon really rises above the rest. Saddle Mountain is the highest point in the northern half of the Coast Range with sweeping 360-degree from a 3,283-foot summit that look out over the Pacific Ocean, the Columbia River, and inland toward the Cascade Range. The hike up Saddle Mountain Trail is 5 miles round trip with 1,635 feet of elevation change (including steep passages). ...Read more.

Just off Route 30 between Portland and Astoria, travelers can gush over a short hike to a lovely waterfall. Beaver Falls (a.k.a. Beaver Creek Falls) takes a single-drop plunge off a basalt ledge. The waterfall is nearly 50 feet tall and swells to 40 feet wide. This quick delight of a hike descends 100 feet through forest for a 0.7-mile round trip outing. ...Read more.

The Oregon coast is a rugged and wild with evergreen topped sea cliffs. Jagged shorelines hide tucked away beaches and dramatic rocks islands. One great place to witness this beautiful scenery is Ecola State Park, preserving 1,024-acres on Tillamook Head, which is just north of Cannon Beach and about 80 miles northwest of Portland. An 8-mile section of Oregon Coast Trail cuts through the park, including a 1 1/3-mile stretch connecting the park's two main drive-up destinations, Ecola Point and Indian Beach. ...Read more.

A two-for-one special is going on at Cape Meares State Park. Here's the deal – two short hikes for the price of one (which is free). Take one trail to a well preserved more-than-a-century-old lighthouse on the Oregon coast, followed immediately by another short trail to a sprawling spruce worthy of its name, the Octopus Tree. Combine Cape Meares Lighthouse Trail and Octopus Tree Trail for hike that's less than a mile round trip with 180 feet of elevation change and oodles of ocean views. ...Read more.