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while we didn't have the best weather, the Designated & protected marine garden and wildlife refuge habitat , aka the haystack rock was a site to see. So many birds flying around and hanging out in thier natural element. definitely recommend checking it out if in the area!
% must go! The ability to walk out onto the to the ocean at least for half of the day is covered in water. I'd be able to see sea life crustaceans and get up close and personal with Haystack rock is something most people never experienced in a lifetime. If you're there, take the time wait for the tide get out in it!!!!
The "Goonies Rock" is no where near Astoria like the movie makes it out to be. No matter what, it is absolutely worth the drive. Parking is non-existent because you have to walk down a pathway between two houses to get to there, I mean of course there are probably areas North or South of the actual rock but I am not aware of them myself. We were lucky and able to find a spot directly across the pathway that just happened to have someone pulling out. Walking down that pathway, I took a video and love how it shows the beauty of the area just opening up. It was more than I could have wished for after growing up loving the movie Goonies and was delighted that we got there when we did. Tide was out, so the dreamy tide pools that you see associated with the northwest coastlines were accessible and all the wonderful wildlife that live within them. Also, we were able to watch the sunset, which was cloud covered but who cares. While walking around, it first started with just rolling up my pants, so then having a misstep and one of my shoes getting soaked so then I was like, oh well, off with the shoes and walk around freely to be able to go rock to rock or wade around to get to the numerous tidepools. All worth the super cold feet later on in the car. There is just something about seeing everything in the wild vs in various zoos or aquariums. It was by far my favorite part of our trip to Portland and something I'd love to revisit again, regardless of the distance and drive back.
Haystack Rock is one of those major landmarks of the Oregon Coast. The ancient monolith has been seen in films, media, etc. and is surrounded by a few smaller sea stacks nearby. Haystack itself is 235 feet tall and when the tide is low, you can walk out all the way to the rock. The reason you want to do that is because there are tide pools surrounding it where you'll see all kinds of sea life such as starfish, anemones, crabs, and more. It's also a popular spot for birding because of the varieties of birds who make a stop around here too. If you visit the tide pools, you MUST learn the etiquette of doing so to ensure that the delicate ecosystem is maintained. Check the tide charts to find when it'll be low and make for good viewing. There's an organization called the Haystack Rock Awareness Program that does events throughout the year, so check out what they're up to. There are parking lots around town but none right here (as there might be at other costal lookouts, like Devil's Churn or something). You might get lucky finding a spot on the street but there are residential streets around here so be cognizant of that, and respectful.
Five fabulous stars for a fabulous place! As a tourist from California what struck me the most, apart from of course the immense Rock, was one morning at low low tide (I think -2ft on the tide chart) it felt like you could walk all the way around the rock, the beach was so level and smooth out into the ocean! Sunsets are marvelous, golden hour lights up the rock so beautifully. Maybe dock 1/3 star for how stinky it it up close tho, those beautiful birds do make a stinky mess!
No trip to Oregon is complete without seeing Haystack Rock. It's honestly breathtaking, having such a massive rock jutting out from an otherwise serene coastline. At low tide you can basically walk (wade?) right up to its base and have a look around tide pools nearby. Really cool and very photo friendly activity!
Iconic Oregon coast. Just go. Enjoy nature at its finest. You will get different views for different seasons and the tides.
An iconic landmark on the Oregon coast. The beach is beautiful, large, and sandy - I am sure it is quite crowded in the summer, but I came in September and there was hardly anyone on the beach in the morning and evening. Parking was not an issue but I can imagine parking/traffic may be really terrible in the summer. Of course September is the off season and it was a little windy, but nothing that is unexpected from a Pacific Northwest beach. Some day I will come back in the summer, as I heard there are puffins there at that time! Loved that this beach was dog-friendly as my pup got to enjoy time in the sand and water.
Haystack Rock is one of the most recognizable landmarks along the Oregon Coast. It's located on Cannon Beach and it's free to visit. If you arrive early enough, there's parking available in Cannon Beach's charming town. By mid to late morning over summers, parking lots usually fill up and then you may have to pivot to find where to leave your car. Depending on where you enter Cannon Beach from, Haystack Rock will be visible from any distance. It's 235 feet tall and according to Wikipedia it's..."a monolithic rock that's accessible by foot during low tide" (mornings). I had to Google what monolithic meant, lol, and it's just a massive, single stone rock formation. That definitely epitomizes Haystack Rock. I visited on a quiet Saturday morning at the end of August and the beach wasn't crowded. It doesn't take long to experience what makes this rock such a fascinating attraction. You can get real close to it, practically within footsteps of looking straight up to its peak. Rules forbid you from climbing on it and it's roped off to protect seagulls, puffins and their nesting sites. Interestingly, the seagulls peck at the starfish who consume the mussels attached to the rock. Haystack Rock is a host for the circle of life between birds and fish. It's captivating just standing so close and watching nature and wildlife coexisting together. There were volunteer guides who hung out beside the rock and offered their expertise if you had questions. Around 9am they had introductions/demonstrations to learn what makes the beach shores here so unique. The Haystack Rock surroundings are also famous for being showcased in iconic 1980's movies...The Goonies and Kindergarten Cop. I could definitely envision One-Eyed Willie's pirate ship setting sail in the distance. Lastly, the town of Cannon Beach has authentic shops and stores to grab souvenirs and mementos. In the end, if you are driving the Oregon Coast, there are so many incredible natural wonders along the way to get yourself outdoors and start exploring. I believe Haystack Rock makes for a worthwhile stop that shouldn't be missed.
This was a destination I had been looking forward to visiting for years after seeing pictures and hearing stories of other peoples' experiences at Cannon Beach ! First, the drive here along Route 26, from Portland, was just stunning as you drive through the forested areas. On this occasion a blanket of fog enveloped the valley and the pictures just don't do it justice as to how it looked in person. I went during the "off-season" right at the end of October and for me this was a great time to visit, as there were not too many people on the actual beach and it also made parking much easier. You can park in areas off the street, however, be careful as much of it you are not allowed to park on. If you park at "Haystack Rock" Public Parking it's just a short walk to the Cannon Beach Access. On this particular day a big storm was moving in and it really created a great atmosphere to photograph in with the moody skies and the ocean getting a bit more turbulent as the waves crashed into the seastacks. Would have loved to catch a sunset here, however, will have to do that on another visit and maybe a different time of the year to compare experiences. The trip didn't disappoint and highly recommend stopping here and exploring other parts of the Oregon Coast!
If you're a fan of the Goonies, you probably recognize Cannon Beach's Haystack Rock as the geographic feature the kids use to navigate their map. Haystack Rock and surrounding rocks have been in a ton of other films too, like 1941, Point Break, and Twilight. Obviously it's a very iconic piece of Oregon's coastline. You will definitely want to snap a few pics when you get there, because the water, the rock, and the beach are gorgeous. I do recommend getting there quite early though, if you want to get some serene photos, or if you're not a fan of crowds. It can get pretty intensely crowded around the rock in the later morning/afternoon. It's about an hour and a half drive from downtown Portland, so you can hit the road early, pack a lunch, and make a day of visiting Haystack Rock and Cannon Beach. You definitely will not regret it!
Haystack rock is something that the locals have been talking about since we first crossed into the Oregon border so of course we had to check it out. Cannon Beach, on a holiday weekend, in the middle of the afternoon was not wise, however. Packed with people and the way the streets are set up with not a lot of 4 way stops made it white knuckling to drive through the area. I am sure it would have been very cool on an off day. If you want just views of the rock without all the people, there are pull offs on the driveway just past Cannon Beach.
The Goonies has and always will be my favorite movie. When I was visiting Portland, I knew I had to take the drive from Portland to Cannon Beach to see the Haystack Rocks from the Goonies. The drive here from Portland is a breeze and is absolutely beautiful. Oregon is insanely pretty. Cannon Beach is gorgeous, and these rocks are breathtaking. We really enjoyed soaking in the magic of this place. Unfortunately, I didn't find any buried treasure, but when I come back I am hopeful to have more luck :) read more
7 years ago
It's a beauty for sure. If you come at at good time, you can see little tide pools in front of the rock! The sand is soft and warm, and the weather was absolutely perfect. Parking is a bit difficult to find because it's so popular, but honestly we didn't mind strolling through the beach a little longer. I also find it really funny that a rock has five stars on Yelp. We live in a society read more
This is one of my favorite places and every time I come to Oregon I try and make it out. The beach is always clean and while it can get busy in warmer months it's still always serene. My husband had never been to the ocean so I figured this would be an ideal place for his first experience. read more
An Iconic landmark on the beautiful Oregon Coast, and a very photogenic one at that!! For another perspective and to see more seamounts that are nearby, but not as visible, go to the Ecola State Park. From the bluff on top, you get a fantastic view, North to Seaside and South to Cannon Beach, and the lighthouse out to sea. Enjoy a beautiful piece of nature here. read more
The scenic drive here was utterly breathtaking and offered view points of the Haystack Rocks. After yelping & googling, I found that there is a parking lot on E. Gower Street. There are many hotels and homes in front of cannon beach, which makes parking more difficult. After parking and a short walk, we were on canon beach. I'm glad it was a low tide day, as we were able to walk out to the rock. Beautiful beach and visit to the famous haystack rock! read more
6 years ago
8 years ago
My husband and I drove from Portland to Cannon Beach to see Haystack Rock as the start our Oregon Coast road trip. We wanted to go here because it's featured in The Goonies, which is one of my husband's favorite childhood movies. I'm used to Southern California beaches that this beach landscape was impressive with huge rocks. We felt so small as we got closer to the rocks. There are also tide pools. If you're a Goonies fan, beach bum, or nature admirer, this was a cool stop and one of the highlights of the Oregon Coast. It's a beautiful spot to take photos or just enjoy the view. read more
Ahhh, I'm so glad I grew up watching the Goonies and I recognized this place instantly when I was researching our Oregon trip. We made sure we visited here and I'm so glad were stopped. Parking was decently far away, but it was not a problem at all as the beach is very walkable and the views here (we went at sunset) were absolutely amazing. The Oregon Coast is a breathtaking part of the country and this area is just beautiful. I highly recommend visiting here if you're in the area! read more
5 years ago
What else is there to say except magical. I'd seen the photos and insta traffic, but you really don't get the magic of this place until you've been there. Was wonderful just walking around, taking in the majesty of the ocean and these character filled rocks. Great to just people watch and let my dog run around, and he surprisingly loved the sand. Contemplative morning filled with sun, sea air, and something truly special. read more
5 years ago
7 years ago
Beaches are great, but super gigantic rocks on beaches are even better! A great place to snap pictures while driving on Hwy 101 and if you're lucky you've come at low tide and will get to see into the tide pools (watch where you step!). There are a number of free parking lots that are a short walk away from the beach. There are probably a lot more people in the busier high seasons. If you want a good shot, go early in the morning before the crowds (or during colder off seasons). read more
Wow! Wow! Wow! This is one of the most breathtaking experiences I have been to in the PNW. No better way than to catch an Oregon sunset than right here on Cannon Beach at Haystack Rock. The sand is compacted so there's no sinking and minimal sand transfer, yay! There's just something about being on a beach with limited access and other people that'll reset you. This is a wonderful place to visit! read more
6 years ago
A beautiful sight! If you love the ocean and scenic views, this small, quaint little town is for you! read more
We spent an entire afternoon in Cannon Beach, OR where Haystack Rock is located. Read suggestions about best place for access but for beach access you can't beat W Gower ave. There is free public parking across from Hemlock and Gowar. Your experience here will depend on the fickle weather; if it is cloudy or rainy, it is kind of flat looking. If you are lucky to catch a vibrant sunset (I was about five minutes too late), you can get some fantastic photos. For another good photo spot, go to Ecola State Park (you will need to pay a day use fee) read more
6 years ago
Haystack Rock is impressive, great photo opportunity. The beach around it is huge. Very safe to visit even during covid, there is sooo much room to socially distance. We parked in a pullout along South Hemlock street and walked down Center Street through a private neighborhood with beach access. At the end of Center street was a staircase that led down to the beach immediately across from the rock. But there are bigger parking lots in town for more longterm parking. read more
4 years ago
About an hour and a half west of Portland, a friend had sent me a picture of this beautiful formation, and I just had to visit. We arrived as the sun was setting just in time to see the beautiful view. When it's low tide, you can get pretty close to the rocks and really experience them in all their glory. We visited in early June and it was a bit chilly, but a lot of people were prepping to have bonfires on the beach, which would've been awesome if we had prepared for that. Sand is soft, views are incredible, parking was easy, and it wasn't too overly crowded. Plus the lush, winding forest road was breathtaking as we made our way to the coast. read more
7 years ago
I came here on a weekend while in Portland for training. The beach was awesome, it reminds me of Encinitas or Coronado beach in California. I've never been here before but to see Haystack rock was definitely a site to see. I remember Goonies and am a fan of the movie so to see it like this is a treat. The little shops and everything are nice and looks like a great place to visit and just be on the beach for a weekend or longer. I think the only thing that was a pain was trying to find a parking space. It took a good 45min to find one. Other than that, it was a great place to visit. Hopefully I can come back sometime. read more
I have always been awestruck and intrigued by this formation. Way before it was made famous by one of the best movies of the 1980's,"The Goonies", I have always been a fan. Even now as an adult, when looking at the rocks, it makes me realize how tiny I am in this universe. Last night I had the honor to officiate a wedding for a couple who live in TX. Watching them discover this spectacular beauty for the first time brought me back to my first time seeing it when I was young. I love how accessible it is to the general public. There's no fence around it, no need to pay for parking or an entrance fee, it's just there for all to see. We are truly blessed in Oregon to witness for ourselves all the beauty in this state! read more
How can one review an iconic landmark? Well, you don't. You just have to come to Cannon Beach in Oregon to see for yourself and don't forget your camera! Haystack Rock is 235 feet tall and accessible during low tide. It's a humongous rock, sea stack, monolith or whatever you want to call it. It's supposedly the 3rd largest in the World behind Ayers Rock in Australia and Ben Amera in Mauritania. Unfortunately you are not allowed to climb Haystack Rock. There's a sign to let you know. There are also two needles (smaller rock formations) right next to it. As far as trying to park, I advise getting away from the downtown area and heading down to Tolovana Park where there's an abundance of free parking. It's a little over a half a mile walk to Haystack Rock from the lot. read more
12 years ago
Haystack Rock is beautiful. If you like seafood, there's all you can eat mussels and barnacles stuck to the rocks. There's outdoor seating with beachviews and though the birds can get pretty noisy, you can still keep a conversation with your significant other. The rock is pet and family friendly and can serve large groups. Before you go, check the low tide schedule or you won't be able to get there. We went at about 10AM and got to get really close to some starfish, birds, and anemone. It certainly is wonderful to see from far away, but up close, it gets very interesting. read more
5 years ago
11 years ago
Haystack Rock, you are beautiful and magnificent! Who knew I could feel that way about a rock? Haystack Rock is located in Cannon Beach. Please note that the city is called Cannon Beach, not the beach on which Haystack rock resides. I made the mistake of Google mapping to Cannon Beach only to be led to the middle of town. I tried looking up the name of the beach but couldn't find anything definitively. If you want to visit Haystack Rock, you can map it to either Tolvana Beach State Park (further south along the coastline but ample parking in the lot) or Haystack Hill State Park (map shows it directly across from the rock) and find parking there. I also saw cars parked along the street but it appeared to be very crowded. I came right before sunset on an unfortunately cloudy day. I was bummed that I wasn't going to be able to see the sunset. Thankfully the sun peeked out from behind the clouds for a few glorious minutes. The sky glowed red, yellow and purple in the sky and across the ocean creating a dazzling backdrop to Haystack Rock. After waiting awhile, the tide started coming in and I saw the reflection of the rock and the display of color, almost a perfect mirror image by the time I left. I highly recommend coming here for the sunset on a clear day. You will not regret it! read more
5 years ago
15 years ago
Amazing during low tide as you can literally touch the rock and see fantastic sea life. Bring your camera and macro lens! read more
14 years ago
Must SEE when you're driving up the Oregon coast!!! Who would've thought a rock would be such a beauty? We stayed in Cannon Beach just for one night, so we made sure we would be at Haystack Rock during low tide. Just our luck, low tide was at 8am so we enjoyed a beautiful morning walk. As we got closer there were tide pools full of sea anemones, star fish and barnacles--I joined in with the kiddos nearby and had fun splishing and splashing :) I can definitely see myself retiring in a beach home on Cannon Beach and taking my morning walks to Haystack Rock...only in my dreams. read more
11 years ago
Beautiful to look at, fun to explore! Cannon Beach's Haystack Rock is a thing of beauty. This 235-foot monolithic sea stack is home to many creatures.... both land and sea. The tide-pools allow visitors to (gently) explore nooks and crannys that contain small fish, anemones, crabs, snails, starfish, sponges, nudibranchs, and sea urchin. The stack itself is home to several nesting birds, such as tufted puffins, pelicans and murres. (Bring binoculars for a better look.) The beach area surrounding Haystack is clean and, although busy at times, a great place to fly a kite and have a picnic lunch. At sunset it is also a wonderful beach to have a fire... A very important side note is that Haystack Rock is a protected marine garden and a national wildlife refuge... please do not take anything from the Haystack Rock area, or climb on the stack itself, and be mindful where you are stepping. Avoid walking on plant-life or sea-life. There are generally volunteers from the Haystack Rock Awareness Program that place signs directing you where you can and cannot walk. These folks are also a great resource to answer all of the questions you might have about the sea life and the nesting birds. They are super friendly and helpful. Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock should for sure be on your "must see" list if you are headed to Oregon's beautiful north coast. read more
7 years ago
Such a beautiful landmark! It was awesome to see it in person! Must stop by to check it out if driving by. We were able to make sunrise and it did not disappoint! read more
Sometimes when you see something as magestic as Haystack rock you are silenced, your mind goes blank and you just stare. It wasn't easy getting here, It was a cold rainy day, a far cry from the sunshine warmth of my native Florida. The scenic route we took was a switch back maze of mountside that caused half of the passengers in the car to get sick. but this rock was worth it. I wasn't just here to view this beautiful stoic igneous rock with an elevation of 235 feet. I was here to live out a childhood fantasy, of becoming a Goonie. If only I had the dubloon to match up the rocks, if only I could see One Eyed Willie's ship set sail for the last time. read more
12 years ago
5 Star rating for a rock. Hey, I got to agree with most of my fellow yelpers, this rock is worth 5 stars! Made a quick pit stop here on a rainy day before heading back to Portland. I remembered seeing Haystack Rock in one of my favorite movies (The Goonies!!). In the scene, in the movie you can see Haystack rock in the distance. We saw it a bit closer up. It is a cool sight to behold. Just wish we had set aside the time to explore it plus the rest of Cannon Beach. Hopefully, one of these days we will. read more
This is what a haystack looks like? I'd be pretty scared if I ever saw a stack of hay this tall. It could crush a car. Or me. Maybe even me inside of my car. Anyways, on to the rock. It is extremely large and if you get there around sunrise on a clear day it is an incredible sight to see. Also when the tide is low you can go out and walk around on the rock and check out the different varieties of sea life that decided to live there. Go on a cool day to ensure that you avoid the crowds. read more
Haystack Rock is a nice place to stop if you're driving down 101 in Oregon. It's an iconic landmark along the hundreds of miles of the Pacific coast. Just pull off the highway into Cannon Beach and there is a pretty big (for this city, at least) parking lot on Hemlock Street. From there, it's just a short walk between some houses and you'll be on the beach with the rock in sight. It's literally a gigantic rock on a beach, so you may be wondering what's so amazing about it. I can't really explain it either but it just feels very peaceful here, despite the craploads of tourists from outside this small town. It's one of those sites where people from far away will go just to get some pictures early in the morning. I planned on just snapping a photo and leaving, but once you're here somehow you just feel really relaxed, so I somehow ended up chilling on the beach for a good half hour staring out into the ocean and the rock. Sounds cheesy, but I'm sure you'll end up doing the same thing. read more
14 years ago
This is a beautiful coastal landmark! Some people believe that it's the third tallest intertidal structure in the world. Make sure that you check the high/low tide schedule so that you can actually walk up to the rock. It's much more impressive in person but just as stunning in photographs. Bring a camera, bucket for collecting seashells, sweatshirt or jacket, and some food/water. (You do a lot of walking on Cannon Beach!) It's so beautiful, serene, and amazing. You will love it! read more
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