One of the safest swimming beaches on the Oregon coast due to its protected cove shape that shelters it from strong currents and winds. The park offers camping facilities, picnic areas with ocean views, and access to the spectacular Cape Arago Highway trail system that connects to Shore Acres and Cape Arago State Parks, featuring […]
Oregon Beaches
Under Oregon’s landmark 1967 Beach Bill, the entire 362-mile Oregon Coast from Astoria and Cannon Beach south through Newport, Florence, Bandon, and Brookings is free and open to the public from the water’s edge to the statutory vegetation line. Framed by basalt sea stacks, Sitka spruce headlands, and coastal dunes, Oregon beaches are renowned for low-tide intertidal tide pooling (at designated Marine Gardens such as Haystack Rock, Yaquina Head, and Cape Perpetua), cold-water surfing (requiring a 4/3mm or 5/4mm hooded wetsuit in 50 F to 56 F water), agate hunting, whale watching, and year-round state park camping. Because cold Pacific swells, sneaker waves, and rolling drift logs pose year-round hazards on open sand, visitors should never turn their backs on the ocean and should always check NOAA minus-tide tables before exploring coves or tide pools. Most Oregon State Parks coastal day-use viewpoints offer free parking, with small day-use fees at select developed parks. Use the filters below to browse Oregon Coast beaches from the North Coast (Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita) through the Central Coast (Lincoln City, Newport, Yachats, Florence) to the South Coast (Bandon, Gold Beach, Brookings) by tide pooling, surfing, camping, fishing, and agate hunting. Always check NOAA tide predictions for minus tides before visiting intertidal Marine Gardens, watch for sneaker wave advisories from the National Weather Service, and check the Oregon Health Authority Beach Monitoring Program.
Cape Lookout State Park
Located on a sand spit between Netarts Bay and the ocean, featuring a pristine beach with excellent hiking trails. The Cape Lookout Trail extends 2.5 miles to the end of the cape, offering magnificent views and whale watching opportunities. The park offers diverse accommodation options including campsites, yurts, and cabins nestled in a coastal forest […]
Florence Oregon Beaches (Oregon Dunes)
The Florence area offers access to the spectacular Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, featuring the largest coastal sand dunes in North America. Beaches near Florence provide a range of experiences from adrenaline-pumping dune buggy rides and sandboarding to peaceful nature walks through diverse ecosystems including forests, marshes, and beaches.
South Beach State Park
Located just south of Newport’s Yaquina Bay Bridge, this state park offers a long, sandy beach with excellent facilities. The park features year-round camping, yurts, extensive hiking and biking trails, and an interpretive center with educational programs. Its proximity to Newport’s attractions like the Oregon Coast Aquarium and Hatfield Marine Science Center makes it an […]
Short Sand Beach (Oswald West State Park)
Also known as “Shorty’s,” this beach is tucked within a cove in Oswald West State Park. Accessed via a scenic 10-minute forest trail, it offers a unique combination of forest and sea. Popular with surfers for its consistent waves and with hikers who appreciate the surrounding coastal rainforest trails leading to breathtaking viewpoints.
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
The largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America, stretching for 40 miles along Oregon’s coast. This unique landscape offers diverse recreational opportunities from exhilarating dune buggy rides to tranquil hiking through diverse ecosystems including beaches, dunes, forests, and lakes. The contrasting environments create a visually stunning and ecologically rich experience.