Oregon Coast Day Trip to Cannon Beach & Haystack Rock — Tidepools, Ecola & Neahkahnie Point
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
8 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for travelers with a moderate fitness level—short climbs and sandy walking; mostly low-impact but expect some uneven terrain.
Overview
Spend a full day on the northern Oregon Coast—walk rainforest trails, stand at sweeping Tillamook Head viewpoints, explore Cannon Beach’s galleries, and probe the tidepools around the 235-foot Haystack Rock at low tide. This guided day trip from Portland packs geology, history and wildlife into an accessible eight-hour loop.
Oregon Coast Day Trip to Cannon Beach & Haystack Rock — Tidepools, Ecola & Neahkahnie Point
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A Sprinter van eases onto Highway 26 and the city grid of Portland slips away; within an hour the trees change their cadence and the air tastes faintly of salt. On a clear day the Oregon Coast announces itself as soon as the highway bends—wide sky, the Pacific pulling the horizon taut, and a row of basalt headlands rising like old ships. This eight-hour loop peels through Oswald West State Park, Ecola State Park, Cannon Beach and Manzanita, stitching short walks with long views and a steady pulse of tidepool life at Haystack Rock.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Check the tides
Plan your trip around low tide windows for the best access to Haystack Rock’s tidepools—bring tide charts or ask your guide for times.
Layer for sudden weather
Coastal weather can flip between sun, wind and drizzle—pack a waterproof shell and warm mid-layer.
Respect wildlife closures
Haystack Rock is a protected nesting area—obey signs and keep dogs and young children away from nesting zones.
Sturdy shoes for slick rocks
Wear shoes with good grip for short hikes and slippery beach rocks—sandals and flip-flops aren’t recommended.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Tufted puffin
- Harbor seal
History
The Tillamook and other coastal tribes named many headlands; early settlers used the beach as a travel route before coastal highways existed, leaving wheel ruts still visible at Hug Point.
Conservation
Haystack Rock’s intertidal zones are protected—stay off marked areas during nesting season and follow Leave No Trace principles to protect fragile marine life.
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Adventure Hotspots in Cannon Beach
Recommended Gear
Waterproof shell
Light rain and coastal wind are common—stay dry and protected from spray.
spring specific
Sturdy walking shoes
Good traction is useful for headland trails and slippery rocks.
Daypack with water & snacks
Keeps hands free and stores layers, water, and camera safely.
Camera with wide-angle lens
Capture sweeping coastal vistas and close-up tidepool details.
summer specific