Located just a short drive north of popular Cannon Beach, Ecola State Park stretches along nine miles of Oregon coastline. The 1,023-acre park is probably best known for its rugged beauty and scenic vistas—some of which have been featured in movies such as The Goonies, Point Break and Twilight! The park offers views of sea stacks punctuating the shoreline to the south, forested headlands, a historic lighthouse and pristine beaches. Although the views and beaches draw a lot of attention, this park is also rich in history and an 8-mile segment of the Oregon Coast Trail travels right through Ecola State Park!
Ecola State Park offers year-round recreation for all types of explorers and sightseers. Have a picnic, take a stroll and photograph some of the most stunning views on the Oregon coast. If you’re interested in more activity, Ecola State Park offers several miles of hiking trails leading to dramatic ocean viewpoints.
We put together a list of what to see and do in Ecola State Park as well as some tips on how to plan a great visit. If you’re traveling to the Oregon coast, make sure Ecola State Park is on your list!
Ahead of your trip, download a copy of our Ecola State Park itinerary! We cover the best hikes, what to do ahead of your visit, include useful maps, 1, 2 and 3 day itineraries and what to see and do in the area.
Ecola State Park Map, Courtesy of Oregon State Parks Department
THINGS TO DO AT ECOLA STATE PARK
From the north end of Cannon Beach, the entrance road winds through stands of Sitka spruce before arriving at the pay station. Ecola State Park Road provides access to two day-use areas with parking, viewpoints, picnic areas and bathroom facilities. Bring a picnic and plan to spend a half day visiting the park.
Hiking is definitely a popular activity to do if you are near Cannon Beach. We’ll cover details on hiking in the upcoming sections, but this graph will provide you with an overview of what hikes there are to do in the area.
Day hikes in Ecola State Park
ECOLA POINT DAY-USE AREA
If you’re headed to Ecola Point, turn left after the pay station. The road emerges at a grassy bluff and parking area overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
- Explore and enjoy the views from Ecola Point. Ecola Point is the most southern area of the park and popular destination due to its proximity to Cannon Beach and the park entrance. Ecola Point overlooks Crescent Beach. Views to the south stretch past Cannon Beach where offshore sea stacks, including the prominent Haystack Rock, dot the coastline. Views to the north extend to Tillamook Head and the historic Tillamook Rock Lighthouse perched on a rock just over a mile offshore. A grassy hill with picnic tables also makes this a great spot for lunch with a view!
- Hike to Crescent Beach. From Ecola Point, hike the 1.25-mile trail down to Crescent Beach. This secluded and peaceful little beach sits between two well-known headlands, Ecola Point and Chapman Point. Explore the caves and waterfall on the north end of the beach. Just be prepared for un uphill climb on the way back!
- Hike the Indian Beach Trail. Unfortunately, part of the Indian Beach Trail washed out in spring of 2017, so you can’t hike all the way from Ecola Point to Indian Point. However, you can still hike partway on this trail which provides incredible views looking back at Ecola Point. Sea Lion Rock Arch can also be seen from a viewpoint just before Bald Point (near the trail closure).
- Bring binoculars if you enjoy birdwatching. Offshore rocks provide secure nesting sites for many species of seabirds. Sea lions and Harbor Seals also give birth to their pups on some of the same rocky islands.
INDIAN BEACH DAY-USE AREA
From Ecola Point, a short drive to the other side of the park leads to parking for Indian Beach and the Indian Beach day-use area. The park road leading to Indian Beach is narrow and unsuitable for RVs and trailers. Parking is limited.
- Take a stroll on Indian Beach. Indian Beach is the northernmost of the two beaches at Ecola State Park and sits at the base of Tillamook Head’s southern slope. Walk this beautiful stretch of sand and take in views of sea stacks offshore.
- Bring a picnic and relax on the beach. In the summertime, Indian Beach is a popular place for beachgoers and surfers. Kids will love exploring and playing in the sand!
- Explore the tide pools towards the southern end of the beach during low tide. Be sure to check the tide tables before your visit.
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Hike the 2.8-mile Clatsop Loop Trail, a segment of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. History buffs will enjoy tracing the route used by an expedition party from Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery. This interpretive trail runs from the Indian Beach parking area and climbs through a lush old-growth Sitka spruce forest to the Hikers’ Camp. Beyond the camp, take the short spur trail to the viewpoint which looks at the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse. Although decommissioned long ago, a basalt sea stack still supports what remains of “Terrible Tilly”.Loop back to the parking lot via the Oregon Coast Trail, which winds along the coastline.
The Clatsop Loop Trail climbs approximately 780 feet in elevation.
- If you’re looking for a longer hike, continue north on the Tillamook Head Trail. From Hikers’ Camp hike an additional four miles to the North Tillamook Head Trail parking area in Seaside. The Tillamook Head hike is steep and rough in spots, so be sure to wear hiking shoes or boots. The total hike (including Tillamook Head Trail) is about 10 miles long with nearly 2,500 feet in elevation gain. This is the trail that takes you to the western-most point that the Lewis and Clark Expedition ventured on during their trek.
- The most challenging hike in the park is the Lewis and Clark Discovery Trail. This hike travels nearly the entire length of the park. At a round trip of just over 12 miles, the length by itself makes the hike only for those who are really fit and get an early start to the day. However, if you make the out and back trek, then you will climb over 3,000 feet in elevation (since it is up and down). Be sure to check on conditions ahead of your hike as sometimes it may be muddy or impassable due to overgrown brush. Still, it is worth checking out if you are up for an adventure!
- Some of the higher ocean vantage points along the trails surrounding Indian Beach make for great whale watching! Prime viewing for migrating gray whales is during the winter months and late March.
- Visit Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach.
- Go hiking at Oswald West State Park.
- Explore the caves and tide pools at Hug Point State Park at low tide.
- Go shopping or visit some art galleries in Cannon Beach.
- Stroll the boardwalk at Seaside.
- Watch glassblowing at Icefire Glassworks.
- Buy a book from the quaint Cannon Beach Bookstore.
HOW TO GET TO ECOLA STATE PARK
Ecola State Park is an hour and a half drive from Portland, Oregon. Getting to the park is easy with ample signage showing the way to the entrance at the south end of the park.
If you are coming from Bend, OR, Ecola State Park is about four hours away. However, there is a ton to see in between Bend and Cannon Beach and you will enjoy every minute!
From 5th Street (the north end of Cannon Beach), head north on Ecola Park Road for 1½ miles to the fee station.
ECOLA STATE PARK FEE, PARK HOURS AND PARKING
The entry fee for day parking is $5. 12-month and 24-month day-use parking permits for Oregon State Parks are also available. The park ranger will provide a map of the park as well as a receipt (or pass) to display in your windshield.
The park is open from 8 am to 5 pm. Overnight parking is prohibited.
Parking is available at both Ecola Point and Indian Beach day-use areas. Parking is limited, especially at Indian Beach. We recommend arriving early in the morning or late in the afternoon during the busy summer season. Plan a midweek visit to avoid the worst of the crowds.
Note that the road into the park is unsuitable for RVs and trailer since it is narrow and winding in spots with no place to turn around.
WHERE TO STAY NEAR ECOLA STATE PARK/CANNON BEACH
Cannon Beach is just minutes from Ecola State Park and is a top vacation destination in the northwest. With a variety of dining options, shops and nearby beaches, Cannon Beach makes a great place to stay during your visit to the Oregon coast and Ecola State Park. There are numerous accommodation options in the area including luxury hotels, inns and bed and breakfasts.
We stayed at the Inn at Cannon Beach and found our double queen studio perfect for our family of five. We enjoyed the beautiful property, the morning breakfast buffet and having a private deck with Adirondack chairs to relax in at the end of the day. The welcome sand buckets were also a nice touch for our three kids!
ECOLA STATE PARK CAMPING
There’s no campground at Ecola State Park, but Hikers’ Camp is a great place to stay if you happen to be hiking the Oregon Coast Trail or are just looking to hike in and camp overnight. The small hikers’ camp consists of three rustic wooden shelters, each with four wooden bunks. There’s a vault toilet but no running water. Camping here is free, but overnight parking is not allowed inside the park. So, you’ll have to hike in from either Seaside or Cannon Beach. The shelters fill quickly in the summertime.
Campgrounds near Ecola State Park and Cannon Beach include:
Nehalem Bay State Park Campground:
- Location: The Nehalem Bay State Park Campground is located approximately 17 miles south of the Cannon Beach / Ecola State Park area. Directions from Ecola State Park to Nehalem Bay State Park Campground.
- Accessible via:
- Reservations: Offered year-round. Nehalem Bay State Park Campground Reservations.
- Capacity: 270 sites (plus 17 horse sites and 6 yurts).
- Electricity / Water Hookups / Dump Station: Yes / Yes / Yes.
- Toilets / Showers: Flush toilets and showers.
- Nearby: Nehalem Bay State Park is located on the ocean on a 4-mile long stretch of sand. The walk to the sand dunes is not easy and will wear you out if you are not used to walking uphill. The Cape Lookout trail is a 4.7-mile (round-trip) trail that climbs 800 feet on the way out the the end of the peninsula. This trail is at Cape Lookout State Park. The Humbug Mountain Trail is another great option. Located at nearby Humbug Mountain State Park, this trail is 5.1-mile loop that climbs almost 1,900 feet and is moderately difficult. This is the highest mountain on the Oregon coast and totally worth the effort if you have the energy to see the great views!
- Additional details: The Nehalem Bay State Park Campground is located among pines. Sand Dunes separate the campground from the water. This is a very popular location and can get busy and a bit noisy especially during the summer season.
Cannon Beach RV Resort:
- Location: The Cannon Beach RV Resort is located only about 2 miles south of Ecola State Park, on the east side of Cannon Beach. Directions from Ecola State Park to Cannon Beach RV Resort.
- Accessible via:
- Reservations: Offered year-round. Cannon Beach RV Resort Reservations.
- Capacity: 99 sites.
- Electricity / Water Hookups / Dump Station: Yes / Yes / Yes.
- Toilets / Showers: Flush toilets and showers.
- Nearby: Cannon Beach RV Resort is only about ½ mile from the beach. It is possible to walk there, but you do have to pass under Highway 101 on a street. The main town is right nearby, and pretty much anything is within a mile walk, making this campground a great place to access the recreational facilities in Cannon Beach. In addition to all that Cannon Beach has to offer, the campground is also right near the Ecola Creek Forest Reserve to the east. In here there are several trails, including the Forest Loop Trail which is a nice hike.
- Additional details: The Cannon Beach RV Resort is exclusively for Recreational Vehicles. No tent camping is allowed. Most lots are level, paved and with some shade and grass. This is a very nice facility in a great location, for sure! Click here for further information on the Cannon Beach RV Resort.
Wright’s for Camping:
- Location: Wright’s for Camping is located just south of the Cannon Beach RV Resort on the east side of the town of Cannon Beach. It is only about 2 miles from Ecola State Park. Directions from Ecola State Park to Wright's for Camping.
- Accessible via:
- Reservations: Offered late-May through mid-September. Wright's for Camping Reservations.
- Capacity: 22 sites, exclusively built for tents but some RVs are accepted.
- Electricity / Water Hookups / Dump Station: No / No / No.
- Toilets / Showers: Flush toilets and showers.
- Nearby: Similar to the Cannon Beach RV Resort, the main attraction of this park is its proximity to the town of Cannon Beach and the fact that it is walking distance from the beach (about ½ mile). The campground is only about 0.25 miles from hiking in the Elk Creek Forest Reserve as well.
- Additional details: Wright’s for Camping is a small alternative to the other locations that are in the area. It has been around since 1959, but the facilities are rustic. The sites are spacious, wooded and do offer privacy. Click here for further information on Wright's for Camping.
In addition to the three options listed above, there is also the option of Boondocking at one of the free campsites near to the area. The locations aren’t as good, but if you are interested on camping on without paying, the checkout this page on free camping near Ecola State Park.
ECOLA STATE PARK WEATHER
Although a popular year-round travel destination, summer is the most popular time to visit Ecola State Park and the Cannon Beach area due to mild weather and sunny skies. However, the best time of year to visit really depends on what types of activities you like to do. The quieter seasons—winter, spring and fall—have a lot to offer, too! Between October and May, the pace of life on Oregon’s coast changes dramatically.
In the winter, weather can be unpredictable. Some don’t mind the wild weather and seek out views of waves crashing against the rocky shore during a winter storm. Others wait for days with fair skies to enjoy walking a secluded beach. Winter is a great time of year for bird watchers and whale watchers. Gray whales can be spotted just off-shore between mid-December and mid-January as they migrate north.
Spring is also a great time to visit with abundant wildlife. Wildflowers bloom, birds nest on sea stacks and Roosevelt Elk are frequently seen in meadows and woodland areas. Puffins arrive at Haystack Rock in April and can be seen throughout the spring, and gray whales migrate just off-shore in late March.
Sunny skies tend to linger from summer into fall. Bird watchers enjoy watching fall migrations and pelicans can be seen in large numbers. Herds of elk, that retreat to higher elevations in the summer, reappear in the meadows.
If you are planning on boating or need information on when the tides will be low so you can explore Haystack Rock and the surrounding creatures, you should check out the tidal charts and weather near Cannon Beach from US Harbors.
TIPS FOR VISITING ECOLA STATE PARK
- Bring/wear layers of clothing. Be prepared with a variety of clothing for cool mornings and evenings plus warmer mid-day temperatures (in the summer months).
- Pack a rain jacket since weather can change quickly on the coast.
- Wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots if headed out for a hike.
- Pack insect repellant and sunscreen for summer hikes.
- Bring snacks and plenty of water on hikes to keep hydrated!
- Pack a camera and binoculars.
- Use the restroom at Ecola Point—it offers the only flush toilets in the park.
FOR YOUR SAFETY
- Be prepared for a possible wildlife encounter, if headed out on a hike. Keep your distance and do not approach or feed any wildlife.
- If traveling with a pet, keep your dog on a leash for its safety and for the comfort of wildlife.
- Never turn your back on the ocean! Be alert to waves and incoming tides when exploring the beach, caves or rocks along the shore.
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Stay on the trail and do not create your own detours. Detours around closed sections of trail can be dangerous, cause erosion and damage plant life.
RELATED INFORMATION FROM JUST GO TRAVEL STUDIOS
- Be sure to download a copy of our Ecola State Park itinerary ahead of your trip!
- You are going to want to learn all about the Oregon Coast, and our blog on Things to Do on the Oregon Coast is just the place! We cover an overview on what to do along the entire coastline!
- While visiting Oregon, make sure you visit Crater Lake. Our Crater Lake National Park Itinerary can help you plan your trip! We also have several blogs on Crater Lake National Park.
- We’d love to work with you to take one of your photos and turn them into one of our unique, custom, vintage-style travel posters. If you haven’t tried this yet, we guarantee you won’t be disappointed!
OTHER INFORMATION ON THE OREGON COAST
- Amber (from “Story Chasing”) wrote a great blog on the Northern Oregon Pacific Coast Highway. This is a great guide for the must-see places around Ecola State Park.
- Lucy (from “A Travelers Footsteps”) talks about what to do when traveling south on the Oregon Coast in her blog-make sure you check it out before you head out here!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Regardless of what time of year you visit Portland or the Oregon coast, take a day trip to Ecola State Park. This coastal gem is a must-see for hikers, photographers and nature lovers!
If you have been to Ecola State Park or the Cannon Beach area and have favorite spots that we didn’t include in this post, please leave a comment or email us directly. We’re also happy to answer any questions that you might have!
