Elk Flats Trail

This hike can be done as either a loop or an out-and-back beginning from either the North or the South trailhead, both located off Route 101. If opting for the loop you will have to walk ~1 mile on the highway to connect back to your starting point. Since we were hiking with our kids we wanted to avoid the highway portion, and so started and ended at the North trailhead, which has parking dire...

It is located just off the side of highway 101 north of Manzanita and south of Cannon Beach. To get here, you need to just pull off into the Oswald West parking lot on the ocean side of the freeway. From here, It is just a short walk through the old growth forrest covered in dense green moss where you will continue and cross a wooden hanging bridge that crosses a small river that empties into t...

The beach in Oswald West State Park is one of the more secluded beaches on the Oregon coast. Most tourists tend to stay by Canon Beach and Seaside, Oregon, so this little gem gets much less traffic.The parking lot is right on the highway with plenty of parking, a bathroom, and a drinking fountain. You hike under the freeway and down a well groomed path for about a half a mile. Eventually, yo...

Cape Falcon is one of two major hikes within Oswald West State Park, fifteen minutes south of Canon Beach on the Oregon Coast. Park in the lot at the trailhead off Highway 101 and head in. After a half a mile or so you’ll come to a junction with options for “The Beach” or “Cape Falcon”. Go right toward Cape Falcon and follow the trail which weaves through a beautiful coastal forest with some am...

You have a couple different options on how to access this hike (North and South trailhead) also if you would like to hike the loop trail or out-and-back option. Driving directions for this hike isn't to difficult, heading south on highway 101 drive 16.6 miles past the exists for Cannon Beach and Oswald West State Park parking areas and turn left up road 38555. Drive about 0.05 miles a gravel ro...

Nehalem Bay State Park is a great central location on the Oregon Coast to use as a base camp, whether you want to go south to explore Cape Kiwanda or go north to photograph the famous Cannon Beach. There are six loops: A-F, and only A-C are open in the winter. The only first-come-first-served area is Loop C, but you shouldn't have an issue finding a campsite especially in the off-season. We too...