Ecola State Park and Indian Beach, near Cannon Beach, Oregon

Cannon Beach
Ecola State Park

Tip:

I revisited Cannon Beach and Ecola State Park in 2006. You can view that trip, complete with updated and better pictures here.

Tip:

Admission to Ecola State Park is a reasonable $3. Access to Indian Beach (which is inside the park) may be limited on busy days, when the parking lot reaches capacity.

When you arrive at Ecola State Park, you have two choices: head down to the beach, or gaze out from the lookouts, perched atop a rocky cliff.

Short trails starting at the upper parking area give you views of the ocean, the beaches, and the rocky sea stacks that jut up from below the surface.

In the photo above, look at the upper right side: that's Haystack Rock, an Oregon Coast landmark you'll find on postcards for sale throughout the state. You can get a better view of Haystack Rock from Cannon Beach, near the town's center.

Tip:

Ecola is the Native American word for whale. William Clark named the area after beholding a giant whale, that had beached and died here.

The trail gives you a great view of Sea Lion Rocks, which are home to many different kinds of sea birds, and depending on the time of year, sea lions.

Looking north, you can see Indian Beach, our next stop.

Ecola State Park also allows you a great view of one of the Pacific Coast's most remote and foreboding lighthouses. The Tillamook Head Light is offshore, perched atop a tiny rock. Even though its light is 133 feet above sea level, the crashing waves from several storms over the past 120 plus years have smashed the glass windows surrounding the light, and hurled rocks through the roof of the light keepers' quarters.

Tip:

You can visit the Tillamook Head Lighthouse, but there's a catch: you'll have to stay for eternity. The lighthouse is now used as a depository for the cremated remains of those who love the ocean.

<< Previous | Next >>
Oregon Attractions Map | Oregon Hotel Map

Hoh Rain Forest, Olympic National Park

Port Townsend

Cape Flattery, Makah Indian Reservation

Astoria Column

Hurricane Hill, Olympic National Park

Marymere Falls, Olympic National Park

Day 4
<< Previous | Next >>

Haystack Lodgings - Cannon Beach, OR
115.00

The Inn at Seaside
134.00 - 149.00

Astoria Rivershore Motel
85.00 - 110.00

Best Western Astoria Inn
131.99 - 151.99

Mount Hood Inn
89.00 - 99.00

Portland Super 8 Motel
74.89 - 79.89

Red Lion Hotel Portland Airport
79.00 - 89.00

Rodeway Inn & Suites - Vancouver, WA
64.00

Best Western Hood River Inn
98.99 - 128.99

View this website's best photos in the Gallery

I welcome your feedback. Your thoughts will make this a better website. Click Here to Contact Me.
All photographs on this website may be available for purchase. Many are featured in the Gallery.
Click here for information on ordering prints.