Day Trip to the Oregon Coast from Portland — Haystack Rock, Ecola & Cannon Beach
Difficulty
easy
Duration
8 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for light to moderate fitness; involves short hikes (up to 1–2 miles) and standing on beaches.
Overview
In a single day from Portland you can trade skyline for sea stacks, wander old-growth forest trails in Ecola State Park and stand at the base of Haystack Rock. This guided tour combines geology, wildlife viewing and small-town charm into an accessible coastal adventure.
Day Trip to the Oregon Coast from Portland — Haystack Rock, Ecola & Cannon Beach
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The bus hums south on Highway 26 and the city grid of Portland loosens into a ribbon of fir and maple. Salt air arrives first as a suggestion—the van windows fog, then clear—and Cannon Beach opens like a stage: wide sand, a church-steeple skyline of an island sea stack, and groups of people tracing tidal pools with slow, curious footsteps. Haystack Rock rises 235 feet from the surf, a blunt basalt column that collects gulls, tufted puffins in summer, and the concentrated attention of every photographer on the shore.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Check tide tables
Low tide reveals tidepools and safe beach access to Haystack Rock—plan your visit around the tide for the best experience.
Wear grippy shoes
Trails through Ecola can be muddy and beach rocks slick; hiking shoes with traction make for safer footing.
Bring a waterproof layer
Coastal weather changes rapidly—pack a lightweight rain jacket even on a sunny morning.
Respect wildlife closures
Haystack Rock is a protected marine area—stay behind ropes and avoid disturbing nesting birds and tidepool life.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Stellar sea lions
- Tufted puffins and other seabirds
History
Ecola and Cannon Beach sit on ancestral lands of the Clatsop people and were documented by the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805.
Conservation
Haystack Rock is part of a protected Marine Garden—respect closures and avoid collecting marine life to protect nesting seabirds and tidepool ecosystems.
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Adventure Hotspots in Portland
Recommended Gear
Waterproof jacket
Keeps you dry from coastal drizzle and wind-driven spray.
spring specific
Sturdy hiking shoes
Provide traction on muddy forest trails and slick rocks.
Daypack with water and snacks
Carries layers, hydration, and any tidepooling essentials.
Binoculars
Helps spot seabirds, puffins and distant sea lions from cliff lookouts.
summer specific