Neskowin Beach State Recreation Site

Near Tillamook, Oregon, on the coast, Neskowin Beach State Recreation Site has just under eight acres of room to explore and enjoy. Over 315,000 people visit the park each year. It offers opportunities to enjoy the sand and surf, stretch your legs, and more. Neskowin Beach State Recreation Site and Cascade Headland is a quiet community with pristine beaches that are uncrowded and offer plenty of beautiful and interesting sights.

The most interesting feature, which you can discover at low tide, is the “Ghost Forest,” stumps from a 2,000-year-old forest of Sitka spruce trees. After a particularly violent storm hit the area between 1997 and 1998, the remnants of the forest were uncovered. Proposal Rock, accessible from low tide via a short and steep trail, offers a wonderful view of the Ghost Forest, the ocean, and the beach. 

The small island is covered in trees and feels like a secret forest. Use caution when exploring and keep an eye on the tide. If you’d like to stretch your legs or walk your dog, there are a number of trails accessible nearby, some open year-round. You may even see some elk on your walk. One trail descends through a rainforest and crosses two creeks, ending at a headland overlooking the ocean.

Neskowin Beach State Recreation Site is open year-round for day-use only. There are no fees for admission and no reservations necessary. If you’re looking for a place to stay, there are plenty of options for both camping and hotels nearby. Neskowin offers a general store and two golf courses. Just north of the park is Nestucca Bay, where you can kayak and canoe on an undeveloped estuary.

Bring your dog to Neskowin Beach State Recreation Site, just keep them on a leash and clean up all pet waste. Don’t bring aggressive dogs or allow your dog to bother others or the local wildlife. If you’re looking for a quiet beachside spot to enjoy a picnic or just walk your dog, Neskowin Beach State Recreation Site has plenty to do and see.