The area known as Cannon Beach was initially occupied by the Tillamook tribe of Native Americans, possibly for thousands of years. The tribe was virtually eliminated by European diseases before the great emigration to the Pacific Northwest by pioneers. The diseases ran rampant through the population, bringing suffering and death to a location William Clark called, “. . . the grandest and most pleasing which my eyes ever surveyed, in front of a boundless ocean.”
William Clark designated the area with the name “Ekoli” — the Chinook word for whale — because the Native Americans were harvesting a beached whale at the time. In 1846, the U.S. Navy schooner “Shark” grounded on the shoals south of the Ekoli and disintegrated. One cannon from the wreck washed onto the beach, giving the beach and, eventually, the community its name. As more settlers arrived, the town grew from a single-family unit to more than 125 people in 1930. The population remained static until improved infrastructure efforts allowed for growth. By 1970, the Cannon Beach population was 779, and it now hosts over 1,600 residents.
Today, Cannon Beach is one of the premier resort towns along the Oregon coast. It offers eight miles of uninterrupted sandy beaches with capes to the north and south. Iconic Haystack Rock, a 232-foot granite rock, protrudes from the ocean just off the coast, representing a compelling adventure waiting to happen. The town is a visitor’s haven with more houses than families. Many of the homes in the community are for rent. The business district is vibrant with restaurants focusing on various seafood cuisines, quaint shops, and an exciting entertainment industry with frequent live concerts. An artistic community is alive and well in Cannon Beach, with many galleries showing works by local artists.
Checking the Oregon local guide gives an idea of the diverse communities found in the state. The famous Oregon coast offers several communities. The nearest, Seaside, is just nine miles to the north. Seaside provides a wide range of amenities, including:
130+ Restaurants
5 Gas Stations
2 Nearby Rest Areas
10 Campgrounds
2 Nearby National Forests
4 Nearby State Parks
6 Nearby RV Parks
3 Nearby Dump Stations
Astoria, home of the world-famous “Goonies,” lies 25 miles north of Cannon Beach along the final stretches of the Columbia River. This pioneering town provides a vast array of amenities, including:
80+ Restaurants
10 Gas Stations
2 Nearby Rest Areas
8 Campgrounds
1 Nearby National Forest
3 Nearby State Parks
5 Nearby RV Parks
4 Nearby Dump Stations
Tillamook is one of the larger cities along the Oregon coast. Located 41 miles south of Cannon Beach, the town offers many amenities that Oregonians have come to expect in their resort towns.
50+ Restaurants
10 Gas Stations
1 Rest Area
3 Campgrounds
2 Nearby National Forests
3 Nearby State Parks
15 Nearby RV Parks
9 Nearby Dump Stations
Olympic National Park is a three-hour drive north from Cannon Beach. Designated as a national park in 1937, this section of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington has a rugged ocean shoreline, incredible mountains, and forests that seem to go forever with hiking trails, streams full of fish, and ice-cold swimming holes.
Another fascinating park in Washington is a three-hour drive to the northeast of Cannon Beach. Mount Rainier National Park is the scene of one of the most iconic mountains in the country. The park is home to a wide range of wildlife, and the angling is fantastic in the plentiful streams and lakes. Mountain climbers worldwide have Mount Rainier on their bucket list.
More than a four-hour drive, but well worth the effort, is Crater Lake National Park. Located in southern Oregon, this lake offers scenic views that stay with you forever.
Located 31 miles south of Cannon Beach, Cape Lookout State Park offers panoramic ocean views plus a vast sandy beach. Beachcombing, whale watching, and hiking the eight miles of trails attract many visitors. The old-growth forest that sits behind the beach provides an excellent backdrop for photographers.
Located just 14 miles south of Cannon Beach, Nehalem Bay State Park features four miles of sandy beach and sea-grass-covered dunes. The sunsets at this park where the ocean turns orange and gold are amazing.
Fort Stevens State Park is 31 miles north of Cannon Beach. The 3,700-acre park includes military gun emplacements, miles of hiking and biking trails, Coffenbury Lake, and a stretch of the Pacific coastline near the mouth of the Columbia River.
A fascinating house in Astoria is a must-see for visitors to the Cannon Beach area. Listed as an Oregon landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places, the Flavel House Museum is an 11,600-square-foot Queen Anne-style house that takes up an entire city block. Built in 1885, this mansion preserves the furniture, apparel, and antiquities of a bygone era.
In Cannon Beach, the original cannon from the U.S. Navy schooner “Shark” is housed in the city's museum. A replica of it sits beside U.S. Highway 101, which passes through the town.
The spot from which William Clark first viewed the Cannon Beach area and wrote his comment into his records is dubbed “Clark’s Point of View.” It is reached by hiking a trail from Indian Beach in Ecola State Park, just north of Cannon Beach.
In June, Cannon Beach commemorates the 1964 tsunami that flooded much of the town with a sand-castle-building competition.
The late-fall Stormy Weather Arts Festival features works by Pacific Northwest artists. The event is organized by the numerous art galleries in Cannon Beach.
Every Fourth of July, Cannon Beach hosts a parade, complete with a military flyover and its celebrated “Lawn Chair Brigade.”
Explore the magnificent area of Cannon Beach, Oregon by renting an affordable RV from RVshare! Cannon Beach is a small community located on the south coast of Oregon. The town has a population of only 1,819 and is part of Clatsop County. Despite its small size, Cannon Beach is one of the most popular destinations in the state. The beach features some of the area's best tide pools, attracting numerous visitors throughout the year. Cannon Beach is known for its beautiful scenery and stunning coastline, which includes Haystack Rock, an impressive landmark that rises out of the ocean like a giant natural sculpture in a jagged peak. Cannon Beach is a small town largely defined by the stunning Ecola State Park, which features rugged cliffs and stunning beaches. It is a 4,500-acre park with a long stretch of beach popular with birdwatchers. Visitors can hike the Ecola Point Trail for spectacular views of the rocky coast. The park is a popular spot for hang gliding and paragliding. The Cannon Beach History Center & Museum is the perfect place to start your exploration of Cannon Beach, Oregon. The site is located in the Old Schoolhouse, built in 1888. The museum highlights the area's history as a seaport and fishing community and its role in Oregon's statehood. Visitors will also learn about the exhibits on Native American tribes and pioneers who settled here, plus a historic home tour. You can visit this museum any day, as it is open year-round.
Located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, Olympic National Park is a prime destination for vacationers in search of unique natural features and breathtaking scenery. The Hoh Rain Forest, just three miles from the park entrance, offers a glimpse of what the rest of the park has to offer. There are no hookups at Kalaloch Campground. Cannon Beach is within a short driving distance of two national parks. Mount Rainier National Park lies to the southeast, and Crater Lake National Park is to the south. Mount Rainier National Park is a popular destination for many who visit the Pacific Northwest. The mountain stands 14,410 feet above sea level and has an alpine climate. It is covered by snow during much of the year, but trails and roads are open to hikers and skiers. Crater Lake National Park is only about 50 miles from Cannon Beach. This national park features a deep blue lake formed by the collapsed volcano Mount Mazama.
You'll have a hard time deciding which of these parks to visit first! Located just outside the town of Cannon Beach, Battle Ground Lake State Park is the perfect place to dip in the lake or take a scenic hike. This park is best known for its historic significance: It was built as a military fort during WWII and still contains an active gun emplacement today. Enjoy a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean at Beacon Rock State Park, located in Washington. The park is home to over 1,000 acres of land and offers several great trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Cape Disappointment State Park is a popular destination for exploring tide pools, sea caves, and the rugged Pacific coastline. Visitors can also explore the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. Amenities include a campground with RV hookups, showers, a dump station, picnic tables, fire rings and restrooms. Pets are allowed in the campground; they must be leashed at all times. Cape Lookout State Park is a popular state park located in Tillamook County, Oregon. The park was established in 1921. It is noted for having the most accessible beach in Oregon. This park is also home to several beautiful hiking trails and opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating. Nehalem Bay State Park is home to Nehalem Bay Lodge, which provides accommodations for visitors. It's also one of the most popular crabbing spots in Oregon. The park hosts two lighthouses open for tours: Tillamook Rock Light and Heceta Head Lighthouse. Visitors can also enjoy camping, hiking, and biking at this park. Fort Stevens State Park sits on a scenic cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The park is a popular destination for whale watching, and it offers many other outdoor activities, including fishing and windsurfing. There are several historic sites in the park. Paradise Point State Park is a popular state park located in Tillamook County, Oregon. This park was established in 1921. It’s known for having the most accessible beach in Oregon.
Cannon Beach is an excellent destination for those interested in the culture and history of the Pacific Northwest. The Fort Vancouver National Historic Site is a must-see attraction near Cannon Beach, Oregon. This site commemorates the history of Fort Vancouver, which was once one of the most important fur-trading outposts in the Pacific Northwest. Visitors to this site can learn about life in the Pacific Northwest during this period. They also get a glimpse of the history of the Hudson's Bay Company and the city of Vancouver. The John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is another landmark worth visiting near Cannon Beach. Colourful rock formations at Fossil Beds preserve a recorded briefing about how plants and animals evolved, the climate changed over centuries, and past ecosystems. Visitors can see the well-preserved fossil beds, which provide a window into the past. While on vacation in Cannon Beach, Oregon, you can explore the historical sites and the surrounding area's natural beauty in an RVshare RV rental independently or with a guide.
- If you're heading to Cannon Beach, Oregon, you'll find great options for RV Parks and Campgrounds. - You can choose from the Old Mill RV Resort and Event Center, RV Park At The Bridge, Cape Kiwanda RV Resort or Anderson Park. - Many parks have popular amenities like cable TV hookups, Wi-Fi, a laundry room and a swimming pool.
- A few dump stations are located in and around Cannon Beach, Oregon. - The most popular RV dump stations include Anderson Park, Elks Lodge Forest Grove #2440, Longview City Public RV Dump Station, and Wastewater Treatment Plant. - Click through to RVshare's guide to see the exact addresses of each dump station to plan your trip.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Cannon Beach, OR, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Cannon Beach?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Cannon Beach from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Cannon Beach?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
