Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area sits along Oregon’s North Coast near the small beach town of Pacific City, where one of the most dramatic sandstone headlands on the entire Pacific Coast meets the ocean. Wind and waves have sculpted the cape’s golden-orange cliffs into layered formations that glow at sunrise and sunset — a landscape unlike anything else on the Oregon shore.

The headland trail climbs through deep sand to reveal sweeping views of the coastline, Haystack Rock (Pacific City’s version, not Cannon Beach’s), and the open Pacific. Watch for hang gliders launching from the dune above the cape and Pacific City’s iconic dory fleet launching directly through the surf below — a fishing tradition dating back generations. Tidepools at the base of the cliffs teem with sea stars, anemones, and crabs during low tide, making this a fantastic spot for families and curious explorers.

Surfing, bodyboarding, and beachcombing draw visitors year-round, though the biggest swells arrive between October and March when storm-watching becomes the main attraction. Summer brings calmer seas, warmer sand, and spectacular sunsets.

Cape Kiwanda does not offer on-site camping, but Webb County Park sits just across the road with tent and RV sites within walking distance of the beach. Several vacation rentals and the Headlands Coastal Lodge are also nearby.

Expect wind — sometimes fierce — and dress in layers. The sand trail to the top is steep but short, and the payoff is one of the finest coastal views in Oregon.

Explore Nearby

• Salmon Wild and Scenic River — Public Land in Oregon
• Cape Meares Light — Lighthouse in Oregon
• Nestucca River Recreation Area — Public Land in Oregon
• Yaquina Head Light — Lighthouse in Oregon
• Siuslaw National Forest — National Forest in Oregon