oswald west state park

PortlandSheripdx

This is a fun short hike along the coast. We often take visiting friends here. IT's the perfect place to stretch your legs between Canon Beach and Manzanita. The bay is large, plenty of room to walk and explore and the surf is beautiful. Often you'll find several surfers to watch. Large parking area with restrooms at the Trail head. A gorgeous little gem on the Oregon North Coast.

misopiso88

A short hike down to the beach, Oswald West State Park is simply gorgeous. Many surfers head there year round and dogs run around off leash. There are bathroom facilities, picnic tables, water fountains and even recycling down at the beach. Highly recommend if you are in the area!

KaChHa

We took the short hike to the beach--a nice and easy walking trail through the lush green rainforest, across a small bridge and to a quiet beach (on the day that we visited anyways!) There were a few surfers in the water, a few dogs gallivanting in the sand, otherwise we had the beach to ourselves! Beautiful!!

Kalamariverrat

As we continued the Columbia-River-Oregon-Coast Historical tour for new family members, a brief stop at Oswald West was mandatory. As a youngster, I used to camp here almost every summer. Sadly, the campground is closed, but the scenic grandeur remains. Just on the north side of the tunnel under Arch Cape, we rented a beautiful beach house with a creek full of migrating steelhead next to it. Almost as good as camping.

NWNITTANY

Oswald West is a great little secluded beach. It is a favorite with surfers. But we like it for several reasons. First, the short walk through old growth forests to the beach area. Some of the trees are very old, large and have unusual roots. Second, the beach is protected by cliffs that extend out into the ocean on both ends of the beach. This protects it from some higher winds. Third, at low tide there are some great tide pools to explore. Lastly, when you reach the area above the beach it is a great spot just to sit and enjoy the view.

DanielleO979

The Cape Falcon hike is incredible. Very muddy in Feb 2015 but well worth the soaking wet shoes. Follow any path you can - they always lead to something amazing. We ended it by going down to the remote beach and soaking our feet in the water. Also - there is a bathroom and picnic tables at the beach - which is great!

Maplelagjames

I lived for two years on the Oregon Coast at Garibaldi-Rockaway and my favorite day trip was to Oswald West. A short hike in and so remote especially on week days and just fun to watch the surf and at times rolling logs and it was always a bit magical.If traveling the Coast Highway, a short break and visit to Oswald West is a must!Jim from Maplelag in Minnesota

quinnre

This is a favorite spot to take my friends visiting for out of town. You can do a short hike through old growth trees,streams,mossy ferns, working your way up to views over the bluffs over the Pacific. Or sit on the beach and watch the surfers and the beautiful sunset. the best!

427beckyo

The short (1/2 mile or so) walk to the ocean is suitable for all-even the walking-challenged. Favored by surfers, the ocean comes ashore in a secluded-feeling cove which apparently has good waves. The walk is very nicely graveled (smooth) & goes through a grove of very mature spruce trees, many already fallen & hosting ferns, mushrooms, wildflowers, birds & salamanders. The easiest old-growth stroll I know of. You can stop at the picnic area at the end of the trail & watch the waves or sunset from several benches or continue on down to the beach below. Bathroom at both ends of the trail. A bit protected from the winds. Streams run through it on their way to the ocean. One of the top places to show visitors to Oregon. Fairly busy but accommodating big parking lot at the start. Dog & kid friendly.

Orbuck

Great hiking trails and very clean and well kept park. You can walk along the beach or take one of the forest trails.

CeeDeeR

I love the Oregon Coast and have been many times, but somehow missed Oswald State Park. The beach was pristine and offered a wonderful chance to watch surfers and let my dog wander.The hike out to Cape Falcon was a little challenging with a wide variety of trail conditions along the way, but oh, so worth it.

ShannonK407

I hadn't taken the hike down to the beach from Oswald West State Park in many years until this past weekend. Wow! A most incredible beach. The hike is beautiful through the forest (used to have a campground there but it closed a few years back). The beach has surfers, little waterfalls from the rocks and we saw a cute baby seal sitting on the rocks. Nothing beats this place.

941ericah

Did the short sands beach walk which was a nice leg stretcher, and then pulled off on the road where the oregon coast trail crosses the highway and continues up inland. We wandered on a trail down towards a meadow then up thru a cliff where we had a fantastic view of the ocean beating into a small cove in the cliff side. Cormorants and pelicans and seagulls all huddling on a large rock in the ocean. Great sounds and great views!

643lindsayw

My husband and I went here for one of our stops on our honeymoon road trip. It was one of my favorite things we did while there. For his grooms gift I got us surfing lessons. He already knows how to, but I thought I'd learn so we can go more often together. We loved it. The cove is beautiful. Park your car and walk down the path to the beach and there's tons of room on the beach to hang and enough water to share the waves. We were told it's one of the best places to surf due to the winds and the shape of the rock cliffs surrounding the beach. Don't leave your food out or the birds will steal it. That's what happened to us. Also, get there early. It may be a bit foggy, but it gets crowded in the afternoon.

526miac

Loved, loved, loved the hikes and the views of the ocean from the mountain. Be prepared for a difficult, steep hike up - worth all the effort!