Cannon Beach Hiking Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore Ecola State Park's lush forests
- Marvel at Haystack Rock's towering presence
- Enjoy panoramic coastal views
- Discover diverse marine life
- Experience a guided nature hike
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Guided hike through Ecola State Park
- Visit to Haystack Rock
- Transportation from Portland
- Meals and personal expenses
Itinerary
The drive to the Oregon Coast is through the luscious county and state forests of Oregon and over two Coastal Range mountain passes. We may stop at a scenic viewpoint, weather permitting.
Visiting Cannon Beach is an extraordinary highlight of any coastal visit; from stunning beaches with dramatic features to rainforests to salt water taffy shops, art galleries and seafood restaurants: this town has it all. We'll chat about the history -- why Cannon and not "Cannons" beach? -- and the peoples of the Clatsop tribe and other coastal people, like the Salish, who were here before the cannons and taffy. We'll make recommendations for lunch. We'll give you lots of time to explore.
The extraordinary rock that was a feature of several films, including the 1980s The Goonies, is also home to many seabirds. We will visit close enough for some great photos -- the rock itself is off limits as a sensitive nesting area for murres and tufted puffins.
Ecola is a unique landscape, a coastal rainforest with old growth Sitka spruce and Western hemlock trees, countless ferns and berry plants, and wild life right on the edge of Cannon Beach. We'll spend some time here, long enough for a hike up to the viewpoint overlooking another movie filming location -- beach scenes from the Twilight movie were filmed here. If desired, you'll hike from 1-3 miles (2-5 km) in the forest at Ecola.
This gorgeous beach featured in several movies, including Twilight and Point Break. We'll visit it either as the destination of a hike or as a special stop, depending on weather and the group.
The Tillamook State Forest is part of the many county and state forests we pass through on the way back home from the Oregon Coast. If you're feeling alert, you'll notice lots of the flowers and trees that we learned about at the coast, plus lots of species that don't grow as big anywhere but here in the relatively higher elevation mountain passes.
The logging museum on the way to and from the Oregon Coast is a favorite stop for gawking at old tractors and equipment, grabbing a gift at the eclectic gift shop, and if desired, trying one of their famous enormous cinnamon rolls.
We'll stop at this iconic viewpoint, weather permitting, for the stunning views of Manzanita Beach below
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- This tour involves moderate physical activity; ensure you're comfortable with a 6-hour hike.
- Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Pets are not permitted on the tour.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable hiking shoes suitable for uneven terrain.
- Bring a light jacket, as coastal weather can be unpredictable.
- Carry a water bottle to stay hydrated during the hike.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Service Animals Allowed
- Easy Public Transport
Good to know
- contact us about infant accommodations
Traveler reviews
10 out of 10 would recommend
Shannon was an amazing guide. Her mellow personality mixed with her vast knowledge and passion for the area made for a highly memorable day. We got to sit back and relax while driving through the lush hemlock and fir forest all the way to the coast. Having a guide made the trip seem effortless. There is no way we would have known to make certain stops or learn the history of these places on our own. Shannon offered us plenty of breaks and, even though the day was long, it flew by without exhausting us.
We could not have asked...
We could not have asked for a better day! Weather was absolutely perfect for being on the beach and our guide Shannon went above and beyond to show us everything and give us plenty of background information without overloading us. She was funny and personable and made the trip very relaxing and enjoyable.
Wow!
Beautiful trip! The tour guide was well educated and had a lot of good information. Loved the views - not a lot of hiking except across the beach!
Awesome Time on the Oregon Coast
The tour guide Carrie was great. She was very knowledgeable and friendly. The tour group was very small, so we each could ask questions along the way and get them answered. The timing at each location was great and Carrie determined it would be best to visit haystack rock after lunch due to the tide timing. We were all glad she made that call because we got to experience the tide pools near the base of haystack and gained additional knowledge. This was definitely worth the money and time.
Outstanding tour of the local beaches!
Such a great tour of the beaches! So beautiful! Carrie is such a great guide—so friendly, with all kinds of tips for things to see, what to eat (and not, on the trail), and lots of fun historical and local culture facts. She was very accommodating for all of us—even when we were slightly late, because we just didn’t quite want to leave the beach yet. If you can, try to check out the seastars and anemones in the tide pools near Haystack Rock.