8 Amazing Roadside Viewpoints on the Oregon Coast
While it’s hard to choose, here are seven of my absolute favorite roadside (or nearly roadside) viewpoints on the Oregon Coast:
1. Ecola State Park
Over and over, Cannon Beach ranks on “World’s Best Beaches” lists and a visit to Ecola State Park will show you why. Getting to Ecola State Park requires a short drive along a narrow road tucked into a beautiful, lush forest. After paying an entrance fee at the pay station, veer left and park in the large parking lot. From there, follow the paved path to enjoy an unmatched view of seastacks, rolling waves, and Cannon Beach off in the distance. If you follow the paved walkway to the other side of the viewpoint, you’ll also get to see an abandoned lighthouse, coined Terrible Tilly, off shore. After taking it all in, you can drive to Indian Beach, also located within Ecola State Park, for even more views and a chance to walk along the shore.
2. Neahkahnie Mountain
In between Cannon Beach and Manzanita lies Neahkahnie Mountain. This popular hiking area also has a number of roadside viewpoints. Your best option would be to head South from Cannon Beach towards Manzanita so that all of the scenic viewpoints are on your right. On a clear day, you can see for miles from here. Be sure to stay behind the rock walls for safety.
3. Peter Iredale Shipwreck
There aren’t many places in the world where you can park your car, walk a couple minutes, and view the remnants of a shipwreck. Head to Fort Stevens State Park north of Seaside and follow the signs to the shipwreck. After parking, there is short walk to what’s left of the Peter Iredale. Depending on the tide, you might be able to walk right up to the rusted shell or you may get to watch the waves crash against the frame. Either way, the wreck of the Peter Iredale is a unique view.
4. Cape Perpetua
Cape Perpetua lies North of Florence, OR and is definitely worth a visit. Within the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, there are multiple unique coastal features. Plan to start at the visitor’s center for a map or follow signs to Devil’s Churn, Thor’s Well, and the Cape Perpetua overlook. The Cape Perpetua Overlook is the highest overlook on the Oregon Coast and offers incredible views!
5. Meyers Creek Beach
Ten minutes South of Gold Beach, OR, you’ll find a stunning collection of sea stacks at Meyers Creek Beach. There are a few different highway pullouts and parking lots offering different views of this stretch of coastline. You can also find a few beach access points if you feel like getting a closer look. Depending on the tide, you can walk right up to and in between some of these huge sea stacks.
6. Shore Acres State Park
Just outside of Coos Bay, Shore Acres State Park has a view different incredible views. Here you can watch the waves crash against unique sandstone cliffs. During storms, the waves can reach incredible heights. This park also features a walkable botanic garden that is worth visiting either for the blooming flowers or during the winter for their holiday lights. After taking in the views from the first stop, head South towards Cape Arago state park for more amazing roadside coastline views and a chance to view large groups of seals and sea lions off shore.
7. Samuel H Boardman Scenic Corridor
This stretch of Highway 101 north of Brookings, OR is pure Pacific Northwest magic. Exploring this area can easily take a full day if not longer, so be sure to have ample time to stop at all the different viewpoints. I find the Arch Rock area and Natural Bridges viewpoints to have some of the best views. Arch Rock features a short trail that meanders to a few different viewpoints. Natural Bridges is probably the most well-known spot in the Samuel H Boardman Scenic Corridor. From the small parking lot, veer to your left and you’ll come to a small viewing platform where you can see the natural stone bridges. If you have additional time, check out some of the hikes in the area. While pretty steep, they are beautiful. Remember to stay on the trail and away from the steep drop offs!
8. Bandon Beaches
The coastline in Bandon is like another world and absolutely worth visiting. While, there are many stunning views along the Bandon coastline, the most iconic view is probably Face Rock. Position yourself directly in front of the sea stack and the rock will look like the profile of a face looking up at the sky. From the Face Rock scenic viewpoint, there are a set of stairs leading to the beach where you can get a closer view of Face Rock and the surrounding sea stacks. If you are looking for even more views, drive a few blocks North to the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge or South to Devil’s Kitchen.
While I picked only eight, there are dozens and dozens more incredible viewpoints along our coastline. Take these as a starting point and add to your own list!
