Stumbled across this quaint little spot driving south after visiting Cannon Beach and I have to say…read moreit's a great place to spend some time! There is parking right at the beach access with a restroom (though from reading it's not always open) and if you're looking for a less crowded option on the coast, you should give this a visit. Some interesting seascapes to take in and a small waterfall (Hug Point Falls) to discover as well.

Yes you need to come here. Beautiful site and beach. Parking is easy but be prepared to do some…read morewalking.

Moulton Falls Regional Park on a random afternoon, and it completely took my breath away. The…read moretrails wind through this lush, green wonderland, with pockets of shade that feel like little natural hideaways and open spaces that invite you to just sit and breathe. I watched families and hikers passing by, some daring to dip into the water. I can only imagine how cold it must be, but it looked exhilarating! Every turn offered something new, towering trees, sparkling streams, and even little corners where wildflowers peeked out. We ended up spending hours wandering, stopping whenever we felt like it, and just enjoying the simple beauty of it all. It's definitely a stop that makes you slow down, notice the little things, and feel refreshed by being outside. I can see myself coming back again and again.

Moulton Falls Regional Park is a spectacular site that shouldn't be missed! Situated in north Clark…read moreCounty, in between Battle Ground and Yacolt, Moulton Falls is a natural scenic area offering water falls, forested trails, picnic sites, a train depot and tunnel, and a gorgeous bridge offering stunning views. Do me a favor and visit Moulton Falls seasonally because the natural beauty is ever-changing. Winter visits reveal churning water that roars furiously as it cascades over giant bolders and rock formations. Summer visits offer deep, mountain fresh pools of blue-green water that attract locals and tourists alike for a refreshing swim or float. There's something for everyone in this special park. Be sure to walk up to the bridge that spans the narrow canyon as it offers a stunning view of the river below. If you continue beyond the bridge you'll find a well-maintained trail that follows the river westward for miles and miles. The lush forest is filled with plants in every shade of green; towering Douglas Fir, Sword and Brachen Fern, Salal, Huckleberry and so much more. For a special treat, visit in early spring when the Trillium are blooming. Arriving from the west, visitors will first encounter the main falls with a small parking lot. Don't worry if it's full, there are two more lots further up the road as it turns sharply toward the north in the direction of Yacolt. Don't miss Yacolt Falls - a smaller waterfall on Big Tree Creek, which empties into the Lewis River just east of the main falls. You can access it from the gravel parking lot on the side of the road.

This hike was hard, but not impossible. Bring hiking poles. It took about 4 days for my legs to…read morerecover, and I am an avid skater with pretty strong legs to start. Cardio wise I was fine, my friend and I marched right up to the top, but it was very steep at places. For me, going down was much harder and I was slipping a lot on loose gravel. The warning at the trailhead about "sheer drop offs" was a bit scary since I am not a huge fan of heights, but the trail itself is not along any ledges and I felt perfectly safe. Views at the top were great. Bring poles, hike during good weather, and you will be rewarded with a great leg workout and a view at the top.

Unrelenting beauty, even on this wet, misty superbowl Sunday. I set out to hike the King Mountain…read more- Elk Mountain loop, a difficult 11 miles. All the advice about this being a hard hike are absolutely correct. Take it seriously and wear sturdy boots, bring water and snacks. Layer carefully. The trailhead has a good size parking area with overflow across the highway. There is a potty, yay! I headed off counter clockwise, I intended to take Elk first. All the advice says you dont want to have to descend Elk at the end of this crusher. The trail paralleled the highway for a while then at about 3.6 miles I took a hard left and headed up. The gain is 1700 feet in a mile. The "trail" is often a narrow, nearly vertical rock face, and needs careful foot placement. The views are gorgeous. It's a gasping, burning scramble to the top. It was cold and raining (that light omnipresent rain forest rain, not a downpour) until I got to the top, then it was snowing! I'm okay for that, I live in merino base layers, but I was not ready for the other side of that mountain. The snown hid the trail, and if I had thought the east side was a scramble, the west side would have made a mountain goat pause. It was like trying to walk along the backbone of the mountains. The very first part of that side was me on my butt, trying descend a rock face. I got about 500 hard earned yards and decided this wasn't how I wanted to die. I went back to the summit and returned the way I came. Oh, but it's downhill! Easy peasy - not! What was left of my knee cartilage was put to the test and my toes got real sore from jamming up against the front of my boot. Sure, I made better time, but it was very hard going. When I got back to the lower trail and only had that 3.6 miles to go, it was a huge relief. My 11 mile loop ended up a 10.2 mile out and back. If you're looking for advice, I'd say save this one for better weather.

Amazing views! The drive into Ecola was just beautiful, dense forest all around. Currently love in…read morethe desert, so all the green was a treat. We only did the Ecola Point viewpoint which has some short trails from the parking lot. You can see the lighthouse a little bit from some of the views, but probably not as well as grub the lighthouse view trail. Still amazing views tho down into Cannon Beach, haystack rock, etc. If you're going to visit a lot of state parks, I recommend getting the state park pass. Worth the price!

Home is where the heart is. This area was my stomping…read more grounds for many moons! I use to go to Ecola state park, regularly growing up. Go on hikes,look for rocks shells,surf, get lost in nature, just sit in the grass and watch the ocean. Here is what you can do at Ecola State Park: Hiking & Walking: Explore trails ranging from easy strolls to challenging hikes through Sitka spruce forests. The Clatsop Loop Trail follows the path of1806 explorers, while the Oregon Coast Trail offers longer, scenic treks. Indian Beach: A popular, secluded cove for surfing, sunbathing, and tide-pooling to see sea stars and anemones. Viewpoints: Take in spectacular vistas from Ecola Point, including views of the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse ("Terrible Tilly") and distant Haystack Rock. Wildlife Viewing: The park is known for herds of elk grazing in the meadows, as well as sightings of bald eagles and migrating gray whales. Picnicking: Enjoy lunch at the picnic areas located on the grassy bluffs with ocean views. Photography: The dramatic, moody coastline provides excellent opportunities for photography. Oregon State

I loved this park. I took my 79 yo mother and 4 small dogs. It was a reasonable walk for my mother…read morewho uses a walker. We were able to park at the trailhead and we had the park to ourselves for the duration of our visit. The path is rock/gravel and there is a wooden staircase and a wooden bridge, both with hand railings. When we went it would have been impossible to approach the bottom of the falls without wading through the river, but nonetheless we had a lovely perch on a fallen log. The pictures I've seen of the falls online did not do it justice at all! It is a tall falls and quite relaxing and beautiful. There was a rocky portion next to the river where the dogs could wade into the water and explore, and some trails leading up to the highway. We heard very little traffic from the nearby highway. We will definitely return. This is a perfect trail for less physically active persons and also for children. Regarding the bathroom, there is one 3 miles south on 202 at the elk reserve (marked public restrooms at the turnoff). This is accessible. Beautiful picnic and outting!

Not far from highway 26, this is a nice detour if you want some quick waterfall action. Ample…read moreparking but not much of a park itself. There's a short, simple trail that will take you to the waterfall. It's a nice, rumbly gushy waterfall. I'd you're looking for more of a hike, I suggest elsewhere. This is a nice pitstop though or a place to meditate as the waterfall drowns out all the road noise.

3.9 mi, 1050 ft elevation gain, 1hr 22 minutes…read more Plenty of shaded parking was available. There is a porta potty and a trash can at the main trailhead. Lots of out of state folks here doing this hike- I'm sure it would be quite packed on a weekend. The trail itself was a bit overgrown and narrow in parts. Beware of game trails, I missed a turn and found myself a ways down a game trail before turning around. The view at the top is amazing, definitely don't just view from the lower trail. If you're able- climb up the rock face to see the view from the peak. It's so worth it!

A short but challenging hike, especially the last 100 feet. But the view from the top is…read morespectacular!

Awesome trail through a beautiful, lush forest. I felt like I was in an enchanted forest! Views…read moreto the ocean are gorgeous. Wear hiking shoes, not sneakers. Slippery due to moisture in many locations. Worth hiking!

This is a hike that's a must do in my books. Pack some snacks because the way back can take a…read morelittle longer than you expect. I would plan to leave about 5 hours for this hike so you have enough time to make it out and back without too much of a rush. It looks like an enchanted forest!! The nature is unreal!

I have mixed feelings how eligible some state parks are in Washington. Some are absolutely stellar,…read moreout of this world, highly memorable and beautiful and some that are simply underwhelming or disappointing even. Well that's not the case at all with Cape Disappointment State Park. It is truly an amazing place. You get to see two lighthouses, beautiful views, the ocean and if you're lucky maybe even a whale. Which is exactly what we did see. We saw a Gray Whale lazing about in the water with it's fin treading water before quietly disappearing into the water. Of course taking in nature walks and hikes are a good option here too if it suits your fancy. I can definitely recommend very highly in regards to visiting this lovely park. It's truly a great one for the state!

This is a must! It is so beautiful, well maintained. Weather wasn't the best but could drive around…read moremost of the park. Took the wrong road and didn't get to the ocean side. Dog didn't enjoy the road on the bay side, to many turns and up and down.

One of my favorite local hikes. There's a lot of variety here in various trails and some great…read moreinclines to get my heart pumping. It's clean, well-used, and feels safe. Bathrooms are always clean and well stocked. The trails are in great condition and the bridges are both beautiful and not slippery. I've been hiking here for over 10 years--it's a wonderful place to enjoy a few hours in nature. Plus, there's lots of shade in the summer.

Love this trail! There are three parking lots available, two on the smaller side. There are…read morerestrooms available during summer months. This park is very lush with picnic tables and grills spread out for privacy. The view of the lake is gorgeous! There are over 6 miles of trails, some of which intertwine. If you're new to these trails, a map is a good idea; one could easily get lost if not familiar as the trails aren't all marked. I just took a picture of the trail map by the parking area to have as reference in case I needed it. The trails are lush and mainly dirt and rocks. If you walk down to lower falls the trail can be a little more treacherous. Some of the hills are steep and some rocks loose. Make sure you wear the proper footwear. There are a few falls to see, many creeks, a dam and a couple lakes (Lacamas and Round). Overall a wonderful place to get outside for fresh air and beautiful scenery. Highly recommend.

This is a beautiful lake. It sits within view of Mt. St. Helen's near the Johnston Ridge…read moreObservatory and the Science and Learning Center at Coldwater. You can miss it if you are on the way to the observatory given there a good sign on the way up. There's a trail that goes around the lake that is well established. One kayak here and I hear there's some pretty good trout in the waters. I though the lake and the surrounding scenery were quite beautiful, especially along the trails. It's a great place for pictures and such. There are restrooms available, potable water, but to motor boats nor overnight camping is allowed.

Mount St Helens is the first glacial mountain I ever climbed. I've also hiked the entire Loowit…read moretrail along with many of the other trails in the park. Love this place! Been visiting Coldwater Lake for as long as it's been open. It used to be a well kept secret but in more recent years it's become difficult to experience the serene experience that it once was due to it's increasing popularity. The Rangers and park staff are awesome as is almost always the case in National reserves. They do "require" a national pass here and elsewhere in the park but that requirement is rarely enforced and I've never seen it enforced any place other than at the Johnston Observatory. There is a boat launch area and they may well be checking for passes in vehicles over there. I am so thankful that the Park Service is so committed to monuments like this one. Been coming here for many, many years and hope to do so for a long time to come. Coldwater Lake is one of our very favorite places to visit at almost any time of the year.