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

Forgive me for this late review. I should have written it long ago, but perhaps the trees and the…read moreocean 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.

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.

What a wonderful under the radar waterfall this is...Beaver Falls!…read more Located 6 miles east of Clatskanie, Oregon, this area near the Columbia River is beautiful. Let's get straight to the heart of what Beaver Falls is all about... If you plug "Beaver Falls Trailhead" into Google Maps, you'll have no problem finding it. Then just park along the side of Highway 30 and hike 1/3rd of a mile through the forest to the base of the falls. It's that easy. When I visited on a Thursday in early afternoon of July, there was hardly anyone around which was good for taking quality photos. Best of all, you can swim in the waters. So definitely bring a bathing suit, towel and a pair of water shoes so the rocks won't hurt your feet while entering the pool beneath Beaver Falls. The water is cold but once you jump in and get comfortable, it's a terrific setting. There's also a long rope where you can swing across and splash down below. It's great for kids (and adults too, lol) to have playful times. For me, I was content soaking in the pool and appreciating the surroundings. More info... - It's free to visit. - Cell phone reception works fine. - You can walk underneath the falls! This is a Must-Do. You can capture some amazing moments standing beside Beaver Falls. It's not hard or dangerous and offers a unique perspective. - Beaver Falls is just one of many outstanding waterfalls situated around Oregon and especially near the Columbia River. There's also Lower Lewis River Falls, Panther Creek Falls and Spirit Falls, to name a few. - You can spend a few hours hanging out or as little as 30 - 40 minutes. It depends on your time horizon. But overall, it's really pleasant to be here that I'd suggest bringing snacks, lunch and maybe having a picnic. This Beaver Falls is absolutely so much fun to hang out at. When you can swim in the waters, swing from a rope and even walk underneath the falls, It makes for a worthwhile summer visit.

This is based on a 2-night stay at a the F-Loop. *Access to…read morenature: 5 stars. The lake is amazing. Multiple access points to the beach, including the ability to drive onto the beach. Absolutely stunning views. *Privacy in campgrounds: 1 star You will enjoy no separation from neighboring campsites. Enjoy dinner with all other surrounding sites staring at you! Plus, if tent camping, you can hear the neighbors whisper. *Cleanliness of campsite: 5 stars Not a piece of trash in the campsite. Was well cleaned. *Location of restrooms/showers: 4 stars Took less than 2 minutes to walk to the restrooms/showers located in the center of the loop. *Cleanliness of restrooms: 3 stars Not good, not bad. Floors haven't been swept in a long time. Everywhere is sticky. *Cleanliness of showers: 1 star F-loop showers were NASTY. Fishing lure in the drain, hair on the walls, gum stuck to the floor, diapers left inside. WEAR SHOES WHILE YOU SHOWER. E-Loop showers next door were much, much more reasonable. *Noise: 1 star Quiet hours are from 10pm-7am. However, it is not enforced. Every single other camper quieted down around 10pm. Except for one exceptionally loud group who continued to be loud and obnoxious until midnight. We were harassed by this group but didn't have a problem with anyone else. CALL THE PARK ASAP if you are having issues like this early in the day because they don't patrol.(503)861‑3170 x 21. *They sell wood and ice at a reasonable price with a drop box for cash payment. *Is less than a 15 minute drive to Fred Meyer. *There is a giant playground and they were offering Junior Ranger "classes" for kids. *Bike, Kayak, and Paddle-board rentals were available.

Clean park with great hiking trails. Fairly clean restrooms. Drove down to the beach and took the…read moredogs to see the Peter irondale. This camping trip they had a free concert on the lawn by the battery. I love that the golf carts drive by to bring you firewood for a standard $7 fee. Terrible reception and cellular in the park. Overall great trip with lots of sunshine.

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.

A BEAUTIFUL BEACH!! It was a sunny, calm, Warm morning when we arrived at the beach on a Tuesday…read more We parked at the Necanicum River Bridge on the east side of town. Walked down to beach, it was such a wonderful site!

Came in October and it was still beautiful! Perfect sand for sandcastles and lots of shells on the…read morebeach. Can't wait to come back in the summer!

Cannon Beach is one of those magical coastal towns that feels like stepping into a postcard. Yeah…read moreit looks exactly like the postcard. From the moment I arrived, I knew this was the spot to have bonfires. The beach itself is wide and inviting, and Haystack Rock towers out of the ocean just off the shore, a stunning icon that draws everyone's eye. But it's not just the shoreline that makes Cannon Beach special. You can walk along the neighborhoods and enjoy the cute little shops. Downtown is small but charming. I loved walking through the artsy streets filled with galleries, specialty shops, and cozy cafés. I was able to slow down away from city life, shop for a handmade memento, and sit with a latte watching the waves. On a breezy afternoon, I saw people flying their kites and took advantage of the open beach breeze, so fun to watch. If you want a beautifully scenic beach getaway that's both peaceful and inspiring, Cannon Beach is absolutely worth a stop.

Cannon Beach is stunning -- especially Haystack Rock with its dramatic waves, wide shoreline, and…read morefresh ocean air. It's the kind of place you naturally want to return to. The only downside is beach access. If you follow Google Maps from downtown, it may lead you to a stair-heavy entrance with no ADA access and very limited parking -- not ideal for strollers, wheelchairs, or anyone with mobility needs. Tip: skip the default route and go to W. Gower Street instead. It's flat, easy, stroller-friendly, and takes you directly onto the sand without stairs. Also, expect strong wind along the shoreline. A hooded windbreaker is highly recommended -- even on calm-looking days, the wind can be surprisingly intense. Overall, Cannon Beach is a 5-star destination. Just knowing the right access point and coming prepared for the weather makes the experience even better.

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!

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.

Bathe yourself in the forest, of springs and creeks and trails and the beach…read more It's an easy walk through old growth forest though there are also trails that involve more effort. Short Sand beach is a favorite spot for surfers. There are restrooms at the parking lot and seasonal restrooms as well.

such a great place to pull over and let the dog/kid blow off…read moresome steam! great trail network, obviously maintained. parking lot is clean, with a trash can and there's also bathrooms. i enjoyed the first hike we did down to sandy short beach so much that the next day i stopped again and walked the old growth trail which was short but stunning! if you're not from the pacific northwest and tou want to see why so many people flock here i. the summer, set aside an hour or two to explore in here. it's so pretty!