Home is where the heart is. This area was my stomping 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 read more

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Forgive me for this late review. I should have written it long ago, but perhaps the trees and the ocean were patient enough to wait. The drive through the forest is a passage into another world. Sitka spruce and hemlock lean over the road as if they are curious about you. At the end of the road the land opens and the Pacific announces itself in vast gray blues and greens, broken by sea stacks that rise like stubborn monuments. The trails are generous. Some wander to secret beaches, others climb to high points where the ocean and horizon meet like two old friends. Indian Beach is a gathering of tide pools, surfers, and quiet sand. Crescent Beach feels private, almost hidden, with the company of seals if you are lucky. Wildlife belongs here as much as people. Elk graze, eagles soar, and sometimes whales turn the water into theater. The park offers all of this without asking much in return, except that you take your time. Bring layers because the wind and mist move through the park like they own the place. Take your time. Sit, watch, breathe. This park gives you a rare combination of accessibility, natural beauty, and serenity. I regret not praising this place sooner. Ecola State Park holds the kind of beauty that makes you feel both small and fortunate. Five stars, without hesitation. read more

Ecola State Park - Parks Near Me - Cannon Beach, Oregon

A beautiful state park with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. We found plenty of parking when we visited. We were able to go to the over looks with haystack rock in the background . The road getting there and back is VERY twisty but we'll worth it truly spectacular. There is even a beach called Crescent beach you can walk down to. read more

Ecola State Park - View down beach towardsCannon beach - Parks Near Me - Cannon Beach, Oregon

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Ecola State Park is a great stop if you're in the Cannon Beach or Seaside area. The drive to the actual park is beautiful, in the forest. There are many little short walks/hikes you can take to see the beautiful, dramatic, rocky cliff shoreline. Absolutely gorgeous views all around! read more

Ecola State Park - Parks Near Me - Cannon Beach, Oregon

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The weather was beautiful and the views were spectacular Such a wonderful day to spend with my friend!! read more

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Tough to beat the natural beauty of this Oregon State Park. The views are surreal in the sense, you've seen the pictures in travel mags. But it's breathtaking in person. read more

Gorgeous state park with some easy hikes. The flora and fauna are abundant. We were there for the Indian trial and with slower people took roughly an hour and a half. read more

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Ecola is a fantastic park for hiking, stellar views, beaches, and wildlife, but it's also one of the best spots to get a good look at TERRIBLE TILLY!!! I've been totally intrigued by this legendary lighthouse-turned-columbarium since I first read about it and it was the entire reason for my stop here - but I was delighted with tons of birding opportunities and even had a fortuitous Elk encounter as well! Entering Ecola is a whole vibe in-and-of itself - driving through a looming true PNW Sitka spruce forest dripping with moss. Eventually you'll land at the main park and viewpoint which is a must see. They filmed parts of The Goonies and Kindergarten Cop here, there are lots of info signs telling you about the filming trivia and other local history. Expansive views are also to be had here - including sweeping vistas of Cannon Beach and it's famous Haystack Rock in the distance. But the main attraction (for me anyway) is the viewpoint for the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse - aka Terrible Tilly! This lighthouse from the late 1800s had a first order Fresnel lens and was the most expensive in its day. It was a very treacherous post which earned it its nickname. But what I find most fascinating is that it is now a columbarium and home to 30 urns holding beloved cremains. It's listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and is part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge - now reclaimed by hundreds of seals, sea lions and sea birds! The main viewpoint area is home to the Crescent Beach trail which can be very difficult in places so be prepared. There are picnic tables and a picnic shelter, as well as decent bathrooms in the parking area. Not much farther into the park is lovely Indian Beach - secluded in a nice little cove and great for tidepooling and surfing. There are also picnic tables here (not sure about bathrooms). There's plenty of parking around the park and it's $5 for a day pass at the time of this writing (Aug 2023). The park is easy to get to and in a great location between the popular beach cities of Seaside and Cannon Beach. Highly recommend! read more

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Great variety for nature lovers. Rolling hills, scenic ocean and beach views, accessible and interesting trails, winding and somewhat thrilling road through a rain forest, and a unique and interesting hike. with views. Well maintained but garbage closer to the parking lot would be appreciated. Had restrooms but we didn't use them. read more

Ecola is an enchanting journey through a mesmerizing primeval forest leading to one of the more pristine and picturesque beaches on the coast. Well worth the drive - from literally anywhere. read more

Ecola State Park - Parks Near Me - Cannon Beach, Oregon

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Lovely state park with easy/moderate trails. You can bring your dog if they are leashed. Several picnic tables and clean restrooms. The hiking is easy with a few steep hills and obstacles (we stooped to get under a fallen tree). There a several gorgeous viewpoints and many good sightings for birders. This is a beautiful park that we will return to. read more

This place is absolutely stunning! The pictures and videos here does not do it justice. A must visit if you're in the area and the drive here is absolutely beautiful and peaceful because of the ocean view. We started the hike via the main trail, which was a hilly trail with lots of greenery and wild berries. We picked up the berries along the way for snacks. The hike took us onto the crescent beach which was like heaven on earth... and the sand literally " squeaks" when you walk on it with bare feet. Along the crescent beach, we walked toward the cannon beach. We also saw an accumulation of mussels which was really cool. read more

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Goonies Never Say Die! Finally got to stand where the goonies was made, and overlook the landscape that is beyond breathtaking. Been waiting my whole life to see this view with my own eyes. Wow! Incredible! Could stare at these views forever. What a beautiful park. If you are ever in the area it's a must see destination. read more

Ecola State Park - Parks Near Me - Cannon Beach, Oregon

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For my first trip to the Pacific Northwest, I had visions in my head of what I imagined and hoped it would be like. And boy... Ecola State Park didn't just meet those expectations, they plain blew them right out of the water! Prior to the trip, I'd done some research and the Clatsop Loop Trail had made my list as a reasonable 2.8 mile hike. Mr. S and I made the drive to the coast from the Newberg area and just like every other place we visited, the drive was just as beautiful as the destination. Especially once we got closer to the beach and entered the actual state park. The winding and dense, tree filled forest was breathtaking. I just couldn't believe my eyes. I was in for a real treat as the cars ahead slowed down and stopped for what turned about to be a young elk buck slowly making his way across the road and stopping for a snack on the side of the road. So awesome. Once the trees broke and we entered the parking lot you could see the ocean ahead and I just couldn't wait to get out of the car. Growing up and still living on the East Coast, I'm just not accustomed to those types of views. The amazing cliffs and trees were so picturesque! Quite literally they were something out of a movie as the sign at the information board showed. Movies like the Goonies and Point Break were filmed there. We made our way up the hill on the Clatsop Loop. Boy of boy, just over a mile pretty much straight uphill was pretty intense for us Floridians that are used to hiking with almost no elevation gain. The hike up was all inland and beautiful, but the descent down the ocean and cliff side is what made it all worth it. Multiple scenic overlooks, each as breathtaking as the last. I was in absolute heaven in this place and I cannot wait to explore more part of the Pacific Northwest. We saw some amazing things and ate some incredible food on this trip, but Ecola State Park is what stood out the most for me. That's why I chose to make this my 200th review! ;) read more

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What an amazing park with amazing views and amazing hikes. Everything from the winding drive down to the beach (wherever elk may roam) to the view you get when you exit the narrow entry and see the mighty Pacific greeting you like a scene from a movie (many were shot here too). We did the Clatsop loop which was part service road (to the right) and part winding trail through the woods (to the left). If you just want some amazing views and don't want to climb 800 vertical feet, then go left and save yourself the energy. We did the whole loop and my hammies were oinking and my Moons over My Hammies were getting a buns-of-steel work out climbing that hill. But the views! OMG the views. And the sound when you go from a quiet forest (does a bear sh!++ing make a sound?) to the sound of crashing waves below lets you know you're in for another great view (not of the bear). The path is well done and they even put a bathroom at the top of the hill around the campground too (which had some cool log shelters and such). We were just there for the day and didn't inquire about that. Make sure you have a means of paying as I recall using a credit card to pay the fee. I lost track but I think it was $5. Totally worth it though. read more

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Ecola State Park is wonderful! A must visit! While in the area, we spent most of the day there from morning until later in the afternoon. Its a beautiful state park and so glad we came by, it wasn't too far from where we were staying. Pro tip: be sure to not forget to PAY for parking when you get there, they will ticket you if you don't! We started our day with a hike, you can do some research to plan your hike or just go to the main trailhead and start from there. We went the opposite way first(left over the bridge) as it was a little more challenging and tried to catch the lighthouse view before the fog really set in.....too late, the fog set in. Wonderful views of Indian Beach, nice stopping points, and if on a clear day, a nice shot of the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse. There's a camp ground (reservation only) little cabins you can stay in if you like. It's pretty much right on the main trail so you won't be able to miss it. It's a loop so you'll end up pretty much at the trailhead where you started. We spent the other half of the day hitting Indian Beach, didn't realize they filmed the final scene of Point Break there! There's other notable film locations along the beach to check out. Indian Beach is nice, good walks, pack a cooler or bring some snacks for a good relaxing time in the sand, and a lot of surfers if you have a spare surfboard with you. After lunch, I took a little nap in the sun, then went for more long walks on the beach because that's what I have on my online profiles. Overall, definitely a place to stop by when in Cannon Beach, worth it in my book to spend some time here. Enjoy! read more

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$5/day pass. We drove 3 miles in to Indian beach. This is the scenic beach where part of Goonies and Kindergarten Cop was filmed. We got here just before 10am and it was starting to get busy. We were able to score a spot. You have to hike down but it wasn't bad at all. Pit toilets. I got annoyed with the jumping sand flies. We saw some starfish, sea anemones, gooseneck barnacles, mussels and small hermit crabs. Not too much seaweed. I'm surprised. Then we drove back to the viewing area atop a hill. It was beautiful. Slight wind, mild and warm. We saw "Crescent beach" and later learned to find out that you have to hike 1.5mile down to the beach. Maybe we should of done that but we were tired... read more

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The drive there was very calming but be careful the road is a bit narrow. Beautiful park indeed! I saw 3 couples taking engagement pictures and a bridal party too. Great eagle view of a beach, a nice place to take pictures and a picnic with the family. Your view to the left you can see Haystack Rock and the view straight ahead is the little island with a lighthouse. It was perfect! read more

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As native Texan's you cannot find places like this anywhere around us. This state park is totally worth it- we were aiming for cannon beach and visiting that area and had some time until we needed to go back to Portland so we stopped at this state park and it does not disappoint!!! There are multiple beach views- the Pacific ocean just hits different! read more

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Where the forest meets the sea, and the iconic image of Cannon Beach with the ocean cascading over the sea stacks welcomes you, Ecola State Park is magical! The most gorgeous, expansive views of Cannon Beach beach can only be seen from here. It is absolutely breathtaking! This should be on everyone's list to visit! The winding drive through the forest to get to the parking lot and lookout points is equally beautiful. Rich, dense greenery of ferns, moss and trees with wild life everywhere for the observant eye. Deer, elk and smaller animals in abundance, so please, please drive slowly. This is their home! Once you arrive at the top, there is plenty of parking. For just $5 for a day per car, it's well worth it. There are picnic tables near the parking area and public restrooms so pack a lunch and make an afternoon of it! Totally family friendly. When I arrived an hour before sunset on Nov 1st, there were easily 40+ Elk grazing the field right next to the cars. There were 2 massive males with their beautiful antlers, and lots of females with their almost full grown babies, some still trying to nurse. Others calling out for their moms. It was so surreal to see that many Elk so close. Mesmerized, I watched them for over 45 minutes. Since there is no hunting allowed, these Elk are clearly used to people. However, they are WILD animals so be respectful, keep your distance. They can be aggressive, especially when protecting their young. So many stupid humans, some with toddlers, were walking right up to them as if they were domesticated animals. They are Not! They wild animals. Respect. There are paved walking paths from the parking area towards the south where you will find the best view of Cannon Beach. There are several sea stacks standing tall against the waves, with the curved inlet of the forest as a backdrop. Did I mention it's breathtaking? I've taken so many pictures and I'm seriously considering having one blown up to a 30x50 to adorn my one empty wall. If you walk west to the other Lookout point, you can see the lighthouse and take a different path down to Indian Beach, below. When the tide is out, explore the tide pools with anemones, and yellow and purple starfish, always so much fun! Look, but don't touch. For those wanting to hike the trails, they are well marked and once inside the forest, it will feel like you are the only one there. Lots of people come to the park right before dusk to see incredible sunsets of various shades of sherbet colors or bright orange and red depending on the season. I've been here when it has been super windy, calm and peaceful like the other night, and in gray, rainy weather. It's beautiful in all conditions. Usually I spend about an hour here but the next time I am going to take my own advice and pack a lunch and stay for the afternoon. The peace and calm it brings me is nourishment for my soul. read more

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The park is fantastic--immaculately maintained with breathtaking views. We hiked the Indian Beach Trail, and it was truly rewarding. The stunning vistas of the water and light make the hike worthwhile. At the summit, we were fortunate to spot some whales and sea lions in the distance, which was an incredible bonus. read more

Very beautiful area. If you are physically challenged forget about getting close to Haystack Rock as there is no easy access very close.

I preferred this state park to cannon beach, tbh. My toddler has fun biking up and down the paths (not the actual trail). Great views!

When visiting this park you must visit Ecola view point. One of the best views, with plenty of space for a picnic read more

Ecola State Park - Parks Near Me - Cannon Beach, Oregon

We've been wanting to hike in Ecola for a while, but every time we stop by there's no parking. So, we arrived Sunday at 9:30am at Indian Beach to take the Clatsop Loop Hike and YAY, plenty of parking! We started the hike on the service road start point...all up hill this direction on a wide trail through beautiful trees with plenty of shade. When you reach the top you arrive at the hikers camp, very cool (and creepy on this foggy morn). We decided to add the offshoot short trail from there to the viewpoint of Tillamook Rock. The fog was too dense to see anything at that moment, but you'll get more chances to see that view farther down the loop. No matter the weather it's worth taking that detour so you can see the WWII bunker. The second half on the loop heading down was even prettier than the trip up. A gorgeous narrow path through stunning trees with a couple of peeks at the coastline and lighthouse below. The path is much narrower this half, with lots of roots and rocks to traverse. The whole loop ends with epic views of Indian Beach. A very well maintained loop hike, with no trash (yay), unique sites, and beautiful trees...I'm looking forward to doing it again in the other direction. Fabulous and fun hike! read more

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I've been stopping here several times a year for going on four decades. By rights I should know off a couple of star because the road to the park has been in poor disrepair for years. Dangerously so. As in if you have a little car or a motorcycle you could easily crash, go off into the woods and never be seen again. Assuming you make it to the tool plaza to pay your fee alive, there are some great views up there. Hiking trails to Indian beach and several others. Not especially long or difficult hikes but they have signs all over the place warning how difficult these hikes are. Odd behavior coming from the same folks who apparently feel that the road to the park is perfectly fine. Ecola used to be a lot better but apparently the park service feels that once erosion destroys a feature, viewpoint, lookout or whatever, they must never try to repair or replace it. Luckily, the bathrooms still work. read more

Beautiful Park! Parking is just $5. It's definitely a perfect place for a picnic or just to walk around. Great view of the beach where you'll be able to see where the ocean meets the sky. Even when we went on a cloudy Oregon day, it still felt magical and relaxing. read more

Ecola State Park - Parks Near Me - Cannon Beach, Oregon

What a beautiful day we were blessed with here on the beach! This is an awesome park. Be prepared to spend the day- bring plenty of water as there weren't any fountains available. read more

Ecola State Park - View - Parks Near Me - Cannon Beach, Oregon

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Enjoyed this hike and SP. clean, right on beach. $5 entrance fee to park on the Cannon side. We tried to originally enter on the Seaside (North) side (free) but when we started to enter we heard what we think may have been a vagrant yelling profanity from the forest- we turned around and went to the Cannon side. read more

Incredibly beautiful park! Access to the ocean and a great surfer beach. Parking is tough to get in summer and on the weekends. Great hiking trails. read more

Ecola State Park - Trail to lighthouse - Parks Near Me - Cannon Beach, Oregon

Such a fun place to explore. So much to see and do. Only been once and it was a beautiful view of the ocean before walking down to the beach

Ecola State Park is amazing. The views are stunning. $5.00 entrance fee. Indian Beach is beautiful. Saw some whales from Ecola Point. The Park is a true Oregon Gem. read more

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Had a great visit here. We expected a Saturday to be crowded, but we arrived slightly before 8am and had the parking lot to ourselves. Beautiful sights, and the elk were a bonus. We also drove to Indian Beach and found parking there as well (before 9am). Beautiful views, trails and beaches. $5 for a day pass. If you arrive before an employee is in the booth, you can pay with your credit card at the machine there. read more

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Walk the 2 mile trail from Ecola Point to Indian Beach through the forest then take the road back if you aren't in the best of shape but want to see all the greatness. Still challenging but worth it. read more

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Ecola State Park is not one to miss while traveling through Oregon. It's the perfect vantage point to see the Pacific coast, Cannon beach and Haystack Rock. The views are spectacular but the drive coming up here was scary. First of all, the narrow road leading up to the state park is unpaved and rocky. There is a 10-15 mph speed limit with good reason for it. You will encounter very steep inclines and dips which can easily wreck the nose of your car if driving beyond this limit. On the ascent, making sharp turns can be intimidating especially when there is a lack of barricades. Drive recklessly and you could very much veer off the side of the cliff. Also expect outbound traffic on this single lane road. Outbound cars could approach you from the front on decent if you don't make those turns slowly. Take away message: Share the road, be cautious, and drive very slowly! Once you've survived this harrowing feat, stop at the gated kiosk where you can purchase your $5 entry into the parking lot. I think this machine might take credit cards but bring cash to be safe. Unfortunately, this park doesn't have prepaid entry online. We went in the evening and thankfully finding a space was easy. To find that coveted vantage point on foot, hang a left from the lot to the walking path. In about a few hundred yards, the path will lead to a gorgeous view of Cannon beach and the Pacific coast! We took a lot of pictures here and spent time taking in the abundance of natural beauty. If you're near Cannon beach, make this one of your stops. You won't regret it. read more

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Beautiful beach. Check the tide tables and come about an hour before low tide (ideally a negative tide) to see sea stars, anemone, urchin, hermit crabs, and other tide pool animals. Great place for families. The beach requires a tiny hike. Bring your camera so you can take the memories home with you. read more

I was just trying to find something to do with my father and so we went here it was a hike and it was nice but we only went half way read more

Ecola State Park - My Benchmade pocket knife - Parks Near Me - Cannon Beach, Oregon

We were here mid-June 2019. Not a very welcoming sight. Every where I turned, I saw a sign like these attached. Yes I know it's for our own safety, erosion conditions, etc etc; then maybe it needs to be called something else. The park description certainly needs to be updated-- like all the trails are closed! Bummer. read more

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While in Cannon Beach we went to thi great state Park. The entrance was wordy and we pulled up to one of the beach sites and were just amazed. You have to go in and check out all the sight seeing view points this wonder full place has to offer. Pack a lunch, bring your favorite beverage and your camera and enjoy. This is a favorite spot too! read more

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We visited Ecola State Park along the beautiful Oregon Coast with our dog for some off-leash fun in the Pacific. It was a fun day for everyone. The park entrance fee is just $5/vehicle for a single day. Annual passes are only $30 and make sense if you are going to regularly enjoy the park. We parked in the large Ecola Point lot, took in some iconic views from the grassy bluff overlooking the coastline and then headed out hiking towards Bald Point along the 1.3 mile Indian Beach Trail. The trail used to go all the way through; however, now you'll have to double back and drive around to Indian Point and Indian Beach. Dogs are allowed off-leash at the beach, but must be "under direct control" which means "within sight and responsive to commands." Pet parents also must always carry a leash to restrain a pet if asked by a park employee. Ecola State Park is an inexpensive opportunity (less than 2 hours from Portland) for scenic coastal photography, hiking amongst Sitka Spruce Trees, or playing with your pet in the Pacific Ocean on a sandy beach. read more

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