Steel blue waves crash over the rocks and onto the sand, always the waves. You’ll travel through mature forests and wildflower fields and up steep terrain to reach the rocky summit. You might want to bring a walking stick and take your time on the last 400 feet of the trail, a stretch of pathway known for loose rock. Cannon Beach and the surrounding areas are rife with magnificent natural attractions, from the grandeur of Haystack Rock, to the waterfalls at Hug Point, to the quiet beauty of our State parks. Below, you will find a list of our favorite natural attractions.

The sun was at one of those great angles where everything low was still in the shade, but the rocks were lit brightly. Its trails and viewpoints along nine miles of cliff side shoreline overlook panoramic spectacles that include picture postcard seascapes, cozy coves, densely forested promontories and a long-abandoned lighthouse atop a 100-foot-high, offshore rock. Picnic tables stand near scenic viewpoints at the park’s Ecola Point and Indian Beach parking areas. Out to sea, the sight of Tillamook Rock Lighthouse to the northwest is also striking. Operational from 1881 to 1957, the lighthouse is now used as a repository for the ashes of people who’ve been cremated.

Many species of wildlife and birds call Ecola home During the winter and spring, you can see migrating gray whales from one of the promontories overlooking the ocean. During the migration seasons, a popular whale watching program features trained volunteers to help you spot the grays. Spot migrating gray whales during winter and spring. And after a long day of exploration, stop for an overnight rest on Tillamook Head in the park’s new primitive cabins, (cabins are small and very primitive) a 1.5 mile hike from the Indian Beach trail head.

Thick conifer forests line the access road to Ecola Point. This forested cliff has many trails leading down to the water. Just North of Manzanita along the scenic Highway 101 is a “must-see” roadside viewing area. The viewpoint overlooks miles of the vast Pacific Ocean and the coastal towns of Manzanita and Nehalem below. Today, a paved road from Cannon Beach makes your trek to the park much easier. Winding your way through towering Sitka spruce, you suddenly emerge upon a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean.

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