Ecola State Park stands as one of Oregon’s most breathtaking coastal treasures, perfectly positioned between the charming towns of Seaside and Cannon Beach. This spectacular park offers visitors dramatic cliff views, pristine beaches, and unforgettable glimpses of the famous Haystack Rock. Whether you’re seeking adventure on hiking trails, peaceful moments at secluded beaches, or simply want to capture stunning photographs, Ecola State Park delivers natural beauty that will leave you speechless.
1. Stunning Ocean Views – The park offers breathtaking vistas of the Pacific Ocean, with waves crashing against dramatic cliffs
Standing atop Ecola’s towering cliffs feels like being on top of the world. The endless Pacific Ocean stretches beyond the horizon while powerful waves crash against the rocky coastline below.
Morning fog often creates mystical scenes as it rolls across the water. Visitors frequently spend hours simply watching the ever-changing ocean display.
Clear days reveal distant headlands and sea stacks jutting from the water. The dramatic elevation changes throughout the park provide multiple viewpoints, each offering unique perspectives of this coastal wonderland.
2. Haystack Rock Views – One of the best vantage points to see Oregon’s iconic Haystack Rock from a distance
Few sights compare to spotting Haystack Rock from Ecola’s elevated viewpoints. This 235-foot monolith appears like a sleeping giant rising from Cannon Beach’s sandy shores.
Photography enthusiasts rave about the unique angles possible from the park’s various overlooks. The distance creates perfect framing opportunities with foreground cliffs and background rock formations.
Different times of day transform Haystack Rock’s appearance dramatically. Sunrise paints it golden while sunset creates stunning silhouettes that make every visitor feel like a professional photographer capturing Oregon’s most famous landmark.
3. Historic Tillamook Rock Lighthouse View – On clear days, you can spot the abandoned “Terrible Tilly” lighthouse offshore
Nicknamed “Terrible Tilly” for good reason, Tillamook Rock Lighthouse sits defiantly on a remote offshore rock. Built in 1881, this lighthouse endured some of the Pacific’s most violent storms before being decommissioned.
Spotting Tilly requires perfect weather conditions and sharp eyes. The lighthouse appears as a small white structure against the vast ocean backdrop.
Local legends surround this mysterious lighthouse, including tales of keepers going mad from isolation. Binoculars help visitors appreciate the engineering marvel of constructing anything on such an exposed, wave-battered rock formation.
4. Easy Access from Cannon Beach & Seaside – Located just a short drive from two of Oregon’s most popular coastal towns
Ecola State Park’s location makes it incredibly convenient for visitors staying in either Cannon Beach or Seaside. The park entrance sits just minutes from Cannon Beach’s downtown area.
Seaside visitors can reach the park within a quick fifteen-minute drive south. This proximity allows easy day trips without extensive travel planning or long drives.
Many families use the park as a central base for exploring both coastal communities. The convenient location means you can enjoy Seaside’s boardwalk in the morning and Cannon Beach’s galleries in the afternoon, with Ecola’s natural beauty in between.
5. Scenic Hiking Trails – The Clatsop Loop Trail and Indian Beach Trail offer varied difficulty levels and incredible scenery
Hikers of all abilities find suitable trails throughout Ecola State Park. The Clatsop Loop Trail provides a moderate challenge with rewarding coastal vistas around every bend.
Indian Beach Trail descends through lush coastal forest before emerging onto a pristine sandy beach. The trail’s gentle grade makes it accessible for families with children.
Both trails showcase the park’s diverse ecosystems, from dense Sitka spruce forests to open coastal meadows. Wildlife sightings are common, and the trails connect to viewpoints that showcase the Oregon coast’s raw, untamed beauty perfectly.
6. Indian Beach – A secluded, picturesque beach popular with surfers, picnickers, and tide pool explorers
Indian Beach feels like discovering a hidden coastal gem. This secluded stretch of sand sits nestled between towering headlands, creating a protected cove atmosphere.
Surfers appreciate the beach’s consistent wave breaks and relatively uncrowded conditions. Families love the tide pools that form during low tide, revealing colorful marine life.
Picnic tables positioned near the beach provide perfect spots for oceanside dining. The beach’s dramatic rock formations and sea stacks create natural sculptures that change appearance throughout the day as lighting conditions shift across the coastal landscape.
7. Film & Pop Culture Fame – Featured in movies like The Goonies (1985) and Twilight (2008)
Movie buffs recognize Ecola State Park from numerous Hollywood productions. The Goonies filmed several iconic scenes here, including the dramatic finale where the pirate ship appears.
Twilight fans flock to the park seeking locations from the vampire romance series. The moody, fog-shrouded coastline perfectly matched the films’ atmospheric requirements.
Countless other productions have utilized the park’s cinematic landscapes for commercials, documentaries, and films. Visitors often experience déjà vu moments, recognizing the dramatic scenery from their favorite movies while exploring the same trails and viewpoints used by film crews.
8. Rich Wildlife Sightings – Spot gray whales during migration seasons, seabirds, and even elk in nearby areas
Wildlife enthusiasts find Ecola State Park incredibly rewarding throughout the year. Gray whales pass close to shore during spring and winter migrations, creating unforgettable viewing opportunities.
Elk occasionally wander through the park’s meadows and forest edges. These magnificent animals browse peacefully, seemingly unbothered by respectful human observers.
Seabirds nest along the clifftops and forage in offshore waters. Patient observers might spot harbor seals basking on offshore rocks or sea otters playing in the kelp beds just beyond the surf line.
9. Tide Pools at Indian Beach – Explore marine life like starfish, anemones, and crabs at low tide
Low tide transforms Indian Beach into a natural marine biology classroom. Rocky pools reveal fascinating underwater communities thriving in these temporary ocean windows.
Purple sea urchins cluster alongside bright orange starfish in the deeper pools. Green anemones wave their tentacles while hermit crabs scurry between the rocks.
Children become instant marine biologists, carefully observing these delicate ecosystems. The best tide pooling occurs during extreme low tides, when normally submerged areas become accessible for exploration and discovery of Oregon’s incredible intertidal zone biodiversity.
10. Picnic Spots with a View – Designated picnic areas overlooking the ocean make for a perfect coastal lunch
Ecola’s picnic areas elevate outdoor dining to an art form. Tables positioned along the bluffs provide front-row seats to the Pacific Ocean’s endless entertainment.
Families spread blankets on grassy areas while enjoying sandwiches with million-dollar views. The sound of crashing waves provides natural background music for every meal.
Wind can be strong, so securing napkins and lightweight items becomes part of the coastal picnic experience. Many visitors pack extra layers since ocean breezes can be cool even on warm days, but the spectacular scenery makes every meal memorable.
11. Lewis & Clark Expedition History – Part of the explorers’ route in 1806 while searching for a beached whale
History comes alive at Ecola State Park, where Lewis and Clark once walked these same coastal trails. In January 1806, the expedition traveled here seeking a beached whale reported by local tribes.
Sacagawea insisted on joining this particular journey, eager to see the ocean and the great whale. The expedition successfully traded for whale blubber and oil from the Tillamook people.
Interpretive signs throughout the park commemorate this historic visit. Standing where these famous explorers once stood adds profound meaning to the already spectacular coastal experience, connecting visitors to America’s exploration heritage.
12. Photographer’s Paradise – Sunrise and sunset shots here are legendary, especially with fog rolling over the cliffs
Professional and amateur photographers consider Ecola State Park among Oregon’s premier shooting locations. The dramatic interplay of light, water, and rock creates endless compositional possibilities.
Fog rolling over the cliffs produces ethereal, mystical scenes that seem almost otherworldly. Golden hour lighting transforms ordinary landscapes into extraordinary artistic visions.
Storm watching provides dramatic photography opportunities as waves crash against the rocks below. The park’s varied elevations and viewpoints ensure photographers never run out of fresh perspectives on this stunning coastal environment that changes constantly with weather and lighting conditions.
