What are the most popular beaches in Oregon?
Hulking sea stones, long stretches of sandy shore, and hidden ocean coves are just some of the natural wonders that make the Oregon coastline so incredible. And with all those miles of shoreline, you have a huge variety of fantastic beaches to choose from. So where to start? We’ve pulled together some of our favorite Oregon beaches for you to visit on your RV trip.
Top beaches in Oregon
1. Cannon Beach
2. Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area
3. Lone Ranch Beach
4. Arcadia Beach State Recreation Area
5. Secret Beach
6. Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
7. Rockaway Beach
8. Short Sand Beach
9. Gold Beach
10. Seaside Beach
Oregon Beaches
From sandy beaches to rocky shores, there are no shortages of popular beaches in Oregon. Here are some of the best beaches in Oregon to explore on your next vacation.
1. Cannon Beach
One of the most popular and iconic beaches in Oregon is Cannon Beach. The towering Haystack Rock looms over the beach at 235 feet tall and is preserved as part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge area. When the tides are low you can walk out toward the rock and see the tide pools. There’s also plenty of sandy beach to enjoy, and Ecola State Park is adjacent to the beach with plenty of hiking trails to explore.
Things to do near Cannon Beach: Once you’re finished with the beach, spend some time exploring the town of Cannon Beach. You can also wander through Ecola State Park for fantastic outdoor recreation and wildlife spotting opportunities.
2. Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area
Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area is a sandstone headland just north of Pacific City, Oregon. One of the three landmarks on the Three Capes Scenic Route, this park offers incredible views, the second Haystack Rock (slightly less popular than the Cannon Beach one), and Pacific City’s beach. The beach is great for exploring tide pools, surfing, relaxing on the sand, whale watching, and even paragliding from the cape.
Things to do near Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area: Once you’ve hiked the cape and relaxed on the beach, head into Pacific City for some shopping and dining. You can also visit the other two capes on the Three Capes Scenic Route or the nearby Sand Lake Recreation Area to ride motorcycles and ATVs along the coast.
3. Lone Ranch Beach
Nestled in the southern part of the state near Brookings, Lone Ranch Beach is a beautiful beach with views of the many sea stacks that jut out of the water. Walk along the sandy beach, swim, explore the tide pools during low tide, or fly a kite on the beach. Or if you’re looking to take it easy, just relax with a book, enjoy a picnic or watch the wildlife. The beach includes a public restroom and several picnic benches with firepits.
Things to do near Lone Ranch Beach: You’re in the perfect location to explore Oregon’s coast by this beach. The Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor is just to the north, covering 12 miles of the shores and plenty of turn offs leading to scenic overlooks, picnic areas, and hiking trails – including 18 miles of Oregon Coast Trail. Grant’s Pass is about 100 miles away.
4. Arcadia Beach State Recreation Area
Just two miles south of Cannon Beach is Arcadia Beach State Recreation Area. This beach is quieter than Cannon Beach and stretches for over a mile between two headlands. It’s perfect for relaxing on the sand, swimming, surfing, and exploring tidepools when the tide is out. There are also restrooms and picnic areas near the beach. It’s a great beach for kids as there’s plenty of sand to build sandcastles and tidepools to explore the local wildlife.
Things to do near Arcadia Beach State Recreation Area: This beach is located south of the town of Cannon Beach. There are fantastic lookout points and recreation spots nearby like Hug Point State Recreation Site to the south and Silver Point Interpretive Overlook to the north. Portland is just over 80 miles to the east.
5. Secret Beach
A smaller beach along the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor is Secret Beach. While it’s not so secret, you do have to follow a short but steep trail to get down to the beach which makes it less crowded. Massive rocks that jut out of the sea protect the beach from wind and waves, so it’s a fairly serene and peaceful strip of sand. If you visit at low tide you can access more of the beach and surrounding caves. There are no facilities here, so remember to pack out everything you bring in.
Things to do near Secret Beach: Visit the Natural Bridges nearby and explore more of the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor along the Pacific Coast Highway. There’s no shortage of gorgeous natural scenery nearby.
6. Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
There are few places on the coast as cool as Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. The forest, sand dunes, and ocean are all in one place and the result is a fantastic place to experience outdoor adventures. Go for a ride in an Off Highway Vehicle (OHV), take a hike, watch for birds and wildlife, or play on the sand. There’s even camping nearby so you can stay and enjoy the dunes with your RV.
Things to do near Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area: You’re nearby the Siuslaw National Forest if you’re looking for more outdoor exploration. You’re also close to wine country and Portland is less than 200 miles away.
7. Rockaway Beach
The long stretch of sand on Rockaway Beach is a destination for those looking for a less crowded beach. It’s perfect for leisurely walks along the shore or beachcombing for shells and smoothed glass stones. Or take advantage of the ocean breeze and fly kites along the beach. There’s even a kite festival every May! There are also plenty of tide pools to explore during low tide.
Things to do near Rockaway Beach: Be sure to check out the town of Rockaway Beach This beach is 85 miles west of Portland. You’re also near Tillamook State Forest and Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint.
8. Short Sand Beach
Situated in the beautiful Oswald West State Park, Short Sand Beach has no shortage of things to do. A half mile walk through the coastal rainforest of the state park brings you to a sheltered cove and picnic area overlooking the sandy beach. And once you’re done enjoying the shore, be sure to explore some of the hiking trails, including 13 miles of the Oregon Coast Trail.
Things to do near Short Sand Beach: Explore the rest of Oswald West State Park, then head to some of the other fantastic places in Tillamook County such as Nehalem Bay State Park, Rockaway Beach, and the Manzanita area. You’re just about 85 miles from Portland.
9. Gold Beach
There are plenty of fun things to do near Gold Beach. This beach (and town) is located between the ocean, the Siskiyou Mountains, and the Rogue River and has endless opportunities for outdoor adventures. Staying along the coast on this beach is great for beach combing, discovering tide pools, and watching sunset. If fishing is your preferred pastime, head to the Rogue River for salmon and steelhead fishing.
Things to do near Gold Beach: Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is adjacent to Gold Beach and Otter Point State Recreation Area is just to the north. The beach is location off Hwy 101 so it’s easy to explore other beaches on our list.
10. Seaside Beach
This northwestern Oregon city and beach is a popular resort town and for good reason! Seaside’s large beach is a favorite place for sunbathing, surfing, playing sand volleyball, and festivals throughout the summer. Be sure to check out the large Promenade and the two mile long boardwalk. Besides the sand, there are also nearby headland hiking trails, golfing, shopping, and dining. There’s also plenty of kid friendly activities in town, such as the Seaside Aquarium and an amusement park.
Things to do near Seaside: There are more great beaches nearby such as Tillamook Head, Ecola State Park, and Arcadia Beach State Recreation Site. Portland is 78 miles to the east.
Planning an RV Trip to Oregon
An RV trip is an excellent way to tour the great variety of beaches in Oregon, and we’ve got all the resources you need to plan a perfect vacation.
Here are guides to some of the best state parks in Oregon, as well as all the national parks in the country. And as always, we’re here to help when it comes to finding the best campgrounds and RV rentals. Now it’s time to get planning and exploring!
