These updates are changes that occurred after the publication of Hiking the Oregon Coast Trail. They have been updated in the FarOut app.
SECTION 1: Columbia River to Garibaldi
TRAIL UPDATES
Route change at Jetty Fishery, Nehalem Bay: Jetty Fishery no longer allows hikers to walk through its RV campground to access Nehalem south Jetty. See FarOut app for new route to the beach heading south toward Rockaway Beach.
Route change at Necarny Creek Bridge, Oswald West State Park: Bridge is out, maybe permanently. See new route on FarOut app.
FACILITIES UPDATES
NEHALEM BAY STATE PARK IS CLOSED (no camping or toilet/water) for infrastructure upgrades until July 1, 2025 (details).
No hiker-biker site at Old Mill RV Resort in Garibaldi. Tent campers are still welcome (but at higher price).
No water at Arcadia Beach State Recreation Site (only vault toilets).
The only functional restrooms on the trail in Oswald West State Park (flush toilets, potable water) are just above picnic area at Short Sand Beach.
SECTION 2: Garibaldi to Siletz Bay at Lincoln City
TRAIL UPDATES
Route change at Cape Meares: The preferred route up north side of Cape Meares is now the trail that leads up a gully from the beach 1.2 miles south of Beach Access 30 (see route on FarOut).
Route change at Cape Lookout: The North Trail to Cape Lookout is closed due to a large tree falling onto a bridge. Alternate route is to hike the road from the campground entrance to the top of Cape Lookout and then proceed down the South Trail.
Route change across Sand Lake: Preferred route is across Sand Lake channel to Whalen Island, ONLY when tide is low enough that sand flats are exposed. At high tide follow Galloway Road. See all route alternatives in FarOut.
Cascade Head updates: 1) Forest Road 1861 on Cascade Head is closed to vehicles (maybe permanently) due to landslides but accessible on foot (main OCT route is still accessible. 2) “Back route” from Neskowin south over Cascade Head is is very poor condition (due to closure of Forest Road 1861) and not recommended at this time.
Route change from Cascade Head (at Three Rocks Road) to Lincoln City via US 101: Don’t attempt to hike up N. Clancy Road to return to beach at north end of Lincoln City; landowners insist it’s a private and private road and hikers aren’t welcome. Remain on US 101 shoulder to NW 40th St. and use it to access the beach.
FACILITIES UPDATES
Another camping option near Bay City along US 101 (north of Tillamook): Twins Ranch, a private campground that caters to tent campers.
No boat ferry currently offered across Netarts Bay or Nestucca Bay.
Cape Lookout State Park campground will be totally closed starting Oct 1st through sometime spring-fall 2026.
SECTION 3: Siletz Bay at Lincoln City to Florence
TRAIL UPDATES
Brief route change at Fogarty Creek: See new route on FarOut.
Route change at Seal Rock: Trail up from beach just north of Seal Rock now has gate across the top. Instead, leave the beach 0.7 mile north of there at Beach Access 63 (Curtis Street) and walk 0.8 miles on highway to Seal Rock State Recreation Site. See FarOut.
Route change at Waldport: At low tide return to beach at the seawall at south end of town. Otherwise quickest return to beach is in 0.5 south just off US 101 at Waziyata Avenue (see FarOut).
FACILITIES UPDATES
Beverly Beach State Park hiker biker campground will remain OPEN while other parts of the campground are closed parts of this summer.
SECTION 4: Florence to Port Orford
TRAIL UPDATES
New option for crossing the Umpqua at the south jetty: Salmon Harbor Tackle and Guide Service offers hiker boat shuttle between Umpqua north spit and Winchester Bay, May 1 (possibly earlier) through at least September. Call 541-361-6256 a day ahead. (After hours emergency, call 541-643-7055.) Typically arranges shuttles between 1 pm and late afternoon. $25 per person, $50 minimum per trip..
FACILITIES UPDATES
Boat ferry at Coquille River, Bandon: South Coast Tours (541-373-0487) debuted boat ferry in summer 2024 between the Bullards Beach State Park boat ramp and Old Town Bandon. Schedule on website; may need to book by phone the prior afternoon for earliest morning departure.
SECTION 5: Port Orford to the California border
TRAIL UPDATES
Route recommendation change at Coy Creek Road: Abandoned road on east side of US 101 just south of Arizona Beach—once barely-useable—is now too overgrown to be an alternative route to US 101 at Ophir.
Preferred alternative route at Whaleshead Beach: At the top of the road down to Whaleshead Beach, look for nearly-hidden OCT sign and follow very brushy trail (gets better) down to park toilets, then cross footbridge and follow it to beach. Walk beach just 0.1 mile or so and take very steep but short (0.2 mile, 200 feet elevation) scramble trail to Whaleshead Beach Viewpoint. From there follow marked OCT trail south (intersects with aforementioned trail) through the woods 1.3 miles to House Rock Viewpoint.
FACILITIES UPDATES
Water updates: There is no water at Humbug Mountain State Park picnic area (fill up back at the campground). There IS potable water at Arizona Beach, 8 miles to the south.
Beach camping: Brookings has banned beach camping within city limits.
