Ecola State Park stretches along nine miles of dramatic coastline between Seaside and Cannon Beach on Oregon’s North Coast, delivering some of the most photographed views in the Pacific Northwest. From the main viewpoint at Ecola Point, you’ll look south across Crescent Beach to iconic Haystack Rock and the rugged sea stacks beyond — a scene that earned a spot in *The Goonies* and *Point Break*.

The park’s real draw is hiking. The Clatsop Loop Trail (2.5 miles) winds through old-growth Sitka spruce draped in moss before opening to stunning clifftop panoramas. For a bigger challenge, the Tillamook Head Trail (6 miles one-way) connects Seaside to Indian Beach, passing the concrete remnants of a World War II radar installation and offering distant views of Tillamook Rock Lighthouse. Lewis and Clark hiked this same route in 1806, calling the coastal viewpoint “the grandest and most pleasing prospect” they’d encountered.

Indian Beach is a favorite among surfers and tidepoolers. At low tide, the rocky shelves reveal sea stars, anemones, and hermit crabs. Whale watching is productive here from December through June.

There’s no camping inside the park, but Seaside and Cannon Beach offer plenty of lodging minutes away. A $5 day-use parking pass is required.

Visit late spring through early fall for the driest weather, though winter storms bring their own spectacle — massive wave displays and moody skies that photographers chase. Arrive early on summer weekends; the small parking areas fill fast.

Explore Nearby

• Tillamook Rock Light — Lighthouse in Oregon
• Point Adams Light — Lighthouse in Oregon
• Grays River Covered Bridge — Covered Bridge in Washington
• Nestucca River Recreation Area — Public Land in Oregon
• Salmon Wild and Scenic River — Public Land in Oregon