The sport of trail running is relatively young in this country but it is growing in popularity. Trail runners tend to cover long distances on the same routes hikers use, but at distances typically more on par with cyclists. With its combination of singletrack and beaches and its frequent trailheads and beach access points, the Oregon Coast Trail is well-suited to both short- and long-distance trail running. Loop routes including beach and adjacent trails often allow you to skip shuttles, though bus and rides from friends are another option.
Photo credit: James Holk/Daybreak Racing
Routes
NORTH COAST
In addition to miles of easily accessible beach sections, the north coast has many state parks with miles of singletrack trail, some of which connect with beaches to create large loop possibilities. They include Fort Stevens State Park, Ecola State Park, Oswald West State Park, and Cape Lookout State Park.
One great loop option starts at the OCT’s north trailhead, follows the beach south to the Peter Iredale shipwreck, and loops most of the way via park trails; extend your run by adding additional beach miles to the south, as you choose.
CENTRAL COAST
North of Florence, Cape Perpetua Scenic Area stands out for its large trail system that provides lots of loop options between the shoreline and the forested upland, as do the contiguous trails and beaches in Carl Washburne State Park and Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint.
South of Florence, Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area offers some 40 miles of dune-backed beach interrupted by the Umpqua River; pay attention to the tide, as some rivers and creeks (both north and south of the Umpqua) can be crossed only at low tide. Trails adjacent to the beach allow you to create a number of loop options of varying distances, including the Tahkenitch Dunes/Threemile Lake loop, Tahkenitch Creek trails, and Oregon Dunes Loop trails.
SOUTH COAST
Most of the trail running opportunities on the south coast lie within the state parks here and the beaches that connect them. By far the most expansive and relatively contiguous trail network on the south coast is the section of Oregon Coast Trail that runs through Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, between Gold Beach and Brookings.
Other substantial trail running locations, some of which combine singletrack and beach to create loops, include the Sunset Bay, Shore Acres and Cape Arago State Park complex; Bullards Beach State Park; undeveloped Floras Lake State Natural Area between Floras Lake and Cape Blanco State Park; Humbug Mountain State Park; and Cape Sebastian State Park.
EVENTS
Trail running races are a good way to experience some of the most scenic portions of the Oregon Coast Trail and adjacent trails in a supported way.
Photo credit: James Holk/Daybreak Racing
Daybreak Racing offers a three-part Oregon Coast Trail Series that takes place on the central coast in the Yachats—Florence area, with distance options ranging from 10K to half-marathon.
All Terrain Adventures offers running events on the south coast, including the Secret Beach 100K/50K based in Gold Beach, as well as shorter runs.
Ardor Adventures offers a variety of running events throughout the year in the Newport area.
Bivouac Racing offers multiple trail race distances at their Battle to the Pacific event out of Fort Stevens.
Southern Oregon Running Club offers a variety of races across the Coos Bay region, including a variety of distance options at their annual Sunset Bay Trail Runs.
If you’ve perused these pages and still have questions, we’d be happy to try to answer them. Reach out to info.oct@trailkeepersoforegon.org.
Hiking Help
Are permits required to hike the OCT?
Permits are NOT required to hike the OCT. Permits ARE required for parking overnight almost anywhere on the coast. Visit PERMITS & PARKING for details.
Hiking season can be hot but is usually moderate in temperature; have enough layers to keep you warm when the temperature drops at night. Carry rain gear (jacket and pants) year-round.
What kind of footwear is recommended?
Trail runners or lightweight boots work well. Waterproof boots allow you to walk through shallow streams and keep your feet dry. Ultralight gaiters can help keep sand out of your shoes. Some hikers prefer hiking sandals at least part of the time.
Is luggage transfer available for inn-to-inn hiking?
As of this writing, there is no luggage transfer service available to inn-to-inn hikers on the OCT.
Trail Trivia
Who owns the OCT?
The people do! The entire OCT is on public land (other than one or two small easements). Most of the trail is either on the beach (which is publicly owned to the vegetation line and is managed by Oregon State Parks), on trails within Oregon State Parks and Siuslaw National Forest, or along road shoulders.
Is the OCT well signed?
Most of the trail sections are adequately signed with official blue, black and white rectangular signs. But transitions between beach, trail and road portions are not always obvious; it’s easy by bypass a beach exit, for example, and have to backtrack. You will want to use the most updated guidebooks or navitational apps to stay on the current route.
Is dispersed camping allowed, on beaches or elsewhere?
Camping is allowed on some but not all beaches, especially between March 15 and Sept. 15. Dispersed camping is allowed in limited areas. Hikers on the OCT typically camp at a variety of sites including developed campgrounds. See details under OVERNIGHT.
Can you build fires on the beach?
Yes, on open sand west of the vegetation line. Do not build fires in driftwood that will continue burning after you leave.
Are dogs allowed on the OCT?
Dogs are allowed on almost all trail portions (on leash), and dogs are allowed on the beach (under voice control or on leash) EXCEPT in western snowy plover protection zones between March 15 and Sept. 15. That effectively rules out thru-hiking the OCT with a dog during the main hiking season. Dogs may not be allowed on some boat ferries.
What is the western snowy plover?
It’s a small shorebird, listed as a threatened species, that nests on sandy beaches. Thanks to vigorous conservation efforts, its population is bouncing back. Those efforts include entirely banning camping and dogs on the beach on certain parts of the Oregon Coast during nesting season, March 15 to Sept. 15. Hikers are allowed to walk through on the wet sand. Look for orange fencing or check online maps with seasonal beach restrictions. The FarOut OCT navigational app indicates plover protection zones.
Are mosquitoes or ticks a problem on the OCT?
Mosquitoes are not usually a problem but can be annoying in moist areas; carry repellant. You may encounter ticks in dry dune grass, though ticks are not often a problem on the OCT.
Can you swim in the ocean along the OCT?
The Pacific Ocean off Oregon ranges from about 47 to 52 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. It isn’t safe to swim here, even in summer, without a wetsuit. It is also plagued with rip currents. There are some swimmable freshwater lakes along the trail.
Do cell phones work on the OCT?
There is cell phone service along most of the trail, though service varies among carriers. There is no service on a few parts of the trail. If you need to make arrangements for a boat ferry at a remote spot, call ahead.
How can I help maintain the OCT?
Trailkeepers of Oregon schedules volunteer trail parties year-round on the Oregon Coast Trails and other coastal trails. Check the schedule — most trail parties require no prior experience.
All Oregon beaches are open to the public up to the vegetation line, and there are plenty of beach access sites. That means that whenever you take a beach walk in Oregon, you are probably on the Oregon Coast Trail. That’s also true of many of the hiking trails in coastal Oregon State Parks.
Why day hike?
Some hikers enjoy walking the entire Oregon Coast Trail as a series of day hikes, over one month or one summer or many years. This approach allows you to skip highway shoulder portions of the trail. You can also skip major bay mouth crossings, unless you are able to incorporate a boat ferry into a day hike. Walk portions of the trail out and back, or take one-way hikes with a car shuttle or public buses. Bus schedules are limited (see BUSES & FERRIES), and parking permits (see PARKING & PERMITS) are required at some (but not all) sites. Taxi service is limited; you may not find ride share services on the road.
planning resources
Exploring the Oregon Coast Trail by Connie Soper is an excellent resource for planning day hikes on the Oregon Coast Trail. Other guidebooks such as Day Hiking: Oregon Coast by Bonnie Henderson can also help with trail descriptions and maps. You may find navigational apps such as Gaia GPS, AllTrails, and FarOut useful.
popular day hikes
NORTH COast: all beach
For an all-beach hike on the north coast, consider the 6.5 miles between Fort Stevens State Park and Sunset Beach State Recreation Site. This is Day 1 in Exploring the Oregon Coast Trail and miles 3.8-9.6 in the FarOut app (plus 0.7 miles from the parking to the trailhead). It includes the very photogenic wreck of the Peter Iredale. This hike can be an out-and-back, or you can hike the entire length using a car shuttle.
NORTH COAST: TILLAMOOK HEAD
Traversing headlands to the next beach is part of hiking the OCT. This 5.3-mile hike over Tillamook Head between Seaside and Indian Beach parking lot in Ecola State Park passes a hiker’s camp that is a good spot for a picnic stop. From here a short out-and-back trail leads to a view of Tillamook Head Lighthouse, clinging to a rock a mile out to sea. Extend your hike another 2.2 miles to the Ecola Point parking lot, or walk 2.3 miles more to Les Shirley Park at the north end of Cannon Beach. Check trail conditions on this website and on the Ecola State Park website, as it can be muddy or have downfall trees to navigate if trail crews have not been through recently. Return as you came, or use a shuttle car. Walking one-way and returning by bus is impractical for most day hikers as it adds additional mileage to reach bus stops at either end.
CENTRAL COAST: ICONIC BRIDGE
The 10.5 miles from Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site to Seal Rock State Park includes the iconic Yaquina Bay Bridge. If crossing a narrow bridge is not your cup of tea, it’s possible to start from the south end and just take photos. It also has a bus service to return to your car (check schedule carefully, as it only runs a few times a day). This hike can be shortened by ending at one of the intermediate bus stops along the way. This hike is Day 16 in Exploring the Oregon Coast Trail and miles 166-176.4 in the FarOut app.
SOUTH COAST: SEA STACKS AND CAVEs
This out-and-back (or car shuttle) in Bandon is one of the most picturesque stretches of beach on the entire coastline. Starting at the South Jetty Park, the hike is 3.7 miles one way on packed sand to exit at China Creek. It passes sea stacks like Sisters, Face Rock, and Cat and Kittens. On the shore side, there are caves in the bluffs. This hike is the last half of Day 30 in Exploring the Oregon Coast Trail and miles 307.7-311.4 in the FarOut app.
SOUTH COAST: BEACH and bluff loop
At Whaleshead Beach, the OCT has two alternate routes. They can be combined into a 3.6 mile loop, or the beach portion can be hiked as an out and back. Park at Whaleshead Beach Road and pick up the trail at mile 397 in the FarOut app. The trail descends to the beach where you can hike the beach, then pick up the bluff trail at the end of the beach and loop back on the bluff. Alternately, you can turn around and hike back.
Camping on the OCT is different from that on most other long-distance trails. Inn-to-inn hiking is an option, but distances between lodging in some places is too far for many hikers.
CAMPING
Dispersed Camping
Dispersed camping is only allowed in limited sites along the OCT:
At the hikers’ camp atop Tillamook Head
In parts of Siuslaw National Forest adjacent to the trail
Not on Cascade Head
In Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
Not on the beach itself March 15 to Sept. 15 in western snowy plover protected areas
Beach Camping
Camping on the beach isallowed except in the following areas (which severely limits opportunities):
Not adjacent to any state park (by any name)
Not adjacent to certain areas, mostly around towns
The Columbia River south to the south edge of Cannon Beach
The city limits of Manzanita, Rockaway Beach, Lincoln City, Newport, Bandon, Gold Beach, and Brookings
Not in western snowy plover protected zones
Mostly between Florence and Coos Bay, from March 15 to Sept. 15
Campsites
Hiker-Biker Campsites
Hiker-biker campsites at state park campgrounds are a mainstay of OCT camping. These are inexpensive ($7 to $9 per person) drop-in group camp areas with toilets and showers and (in most cases) kiosks where you can secure food and other belongings and charge your phone. With 15 hiker-biker campsites on the OCT, there are not enough to camp at one every night. A few county campgrounds also offer hiker-biker camping but they tend to be more expensive.
Fort Steven’s hiker/biker campground, with lockers in the background. At the back of each locker is a power outlet where you can plug in your phone and lock it up to safely charge while you go get a hot shower.
Private Campgrounds
Some private campgrounds offer tent camping, but you might need reservations. Prices vary widely. Check recent comments for each campground in the FarOut app for the latest prices, availability, and conditions.
Permits are not required to hike the Oregon Coast Trail. Permits are required to park for the day at some, not all, state park and national forest parking areas. Permits are required to park overnight at all state park and national forest parking areas. Overnight parking is typically not allowed at any other public parking areas on the Oregon Coast, such as beach access waysides.
Forest Service Trailheads
To park for the day or overnight at Forest Service trailheads, purchase a one-day, five-day, or annual federal parking pass from a US Forest Service office or online and display it on your dashboard.
Oregon State Park Sites
To park for the day at an Oregon State Park site that requires a permit, purchase a daily parking permit at the site, or purchase a 12- or 24-month parking permit online.
To park overnight at an Oregon State Park site, you must make arrangements in advance. Call the state park campground closest to where you wish to park and start hiking (use the local info number, not the 800 info number or the camping reservation number). Tell them where you wish to park. They will offer a location and tell you how to get your permit. The location may not be exactly where you wish to leave your vehicle, but each park has identified a safe, nearby site for this purpose. You may need to walk, take a taxi, or make other arrangements to get to where you want to start your hike.
Pioneering long-distance hikers began walking the OCT border-to-border since the late 1980s. Pacific Crest Trail “refugees” get credit for popularizing the OCT in 2017, when the PCT experienced unusually high snowpack in the Sierra followed by wildfires in Oregon and Washington; those hikers began peeling off the PCT and onto the OCT while they waited for conditions in the high country to change. And word spread.
An OCT thru-hike typically takes less than a month —even less if you skip the road walking and take the bus— because thru-hikers tend to average at least 15 miles a day (longer than most backpackers).
Whether this is your first thru-hike, your umpteeth, or something you’re doing on a break from the PCT, you will find the OCT has a few quirks that make it different from most long-distance trails:
Travel
Vehicles can be left at the north and south trailheads by prearrangement only.See details under PARKING AND PERMITS.
Most hikers find that a southbound hike is much more pleasant, due to the often-strong prevailing north winds of summer.
It’s tempting to thru-hike the OCT in the spring, while you wait for high-country trails to open. But some rivers on the south half of the OCT are too high to wade (even at low tide) until around mid-June.
The New River, in mid-June, on a day it was unsafe to cross.
Amenities
You don’t need to prearrange resupply; food and even gear are available at frequent intervals along the trail.
Avoid drinking surface water (even filtered). Public potable water sources are easy to find every day except on some stretches of the south coast; there you’ll either need to carry extra water or take your chances filtering at a lake or a stream at low tide.
Camping is different on the OCT. Only in a few places can you legally do dispersed camping or beach camping. Usually you will sleep in inexpensive state park hiker-biker camps (or more expensive private campgrounds or motels). See details under OVERNIGHTING.
Use toilets wherever you can. There are lots of public toilets on the OCT; use them. Where you can’t, follow Leave No Trace principles (mainly in the dunes south of Florence).
Things change!
The Oregon Coast is a very dynamic landscape. Trails, public and private campgrounds, and boat ferries may be closed. Check the TRAIL CONDITIONS page while planning your hike. Use the FarOut navigational app and consider joining the OCT Facebook Group to get the latest updates from fellow hikers.
The entire OCT can be followed on foot, but some hikers choose to skip road-walking sections by catching a water taxi (boat ferry) or bus. The following bus and boat options are currently available; check back close to your start time as availability can change year to year or within the hiking season. The FarOut app is a good place to get the most current information.
BOAT FERRIES
Where the OCT meets large rivers or bay mouths, hikers may have to follow the highway shoulder to return to the beach. Alternately, you can catch a boat (where available). The following boat ferry services (listed north to south) are currently available. Prices currently range from about $10 per person to $50 for two hikers (more for additional passengers).
View from the Jetty Fishery dock on the south side of the Nehalem River. Hikers can call (or sometimes wave) for a boat from the beach opposite.
Nehalem Bay
Jetty Fishery (503-368-5746) ferries hikers across Nehalem Bay at from the end of Nehalem Spit (in Nehalem Bay State Park) to the south jetty of Nehalem Bay daily 7 to 7 during hiking season; no prearrangement necessary.
Tillamook Bay
Garibaldi Marina (503-322-3312) provides rides from the town of Garibaldi across the bay to Bayocean Spit, conditions permitting (calm seas, high tide). Call at least 24 hours in advance. Bus service also available from Garibaldi to Tillamook and on to Netarts.
Netarts Bay
No regular water taxi service currently available from Netarts boat ramp to Netarts Spit. Hikers can sometimes (but usually not) get a ride with Big Spruce RV Park (503-801-5434).
Umpqua River
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 during open hours 6-4. (After hours emergency, call owner Ted Jones at 541-643-7055.) Typically arranges shuttles between 1 pm and late afternoon. $25 per person, $50 minimum per trip. Be sure confirm any boat ferry in advance before walking to the end of the spit, bypassing the hiking route out Sparrow Park Road.
Bus service is also available for part of this route. If you call Coos Transit dispatch (541-267-7111) in advance, you can request a pickup at the end of Sparrow Park Road. Watch for the bus and be ready to flag it down.
Coos Bay
No regular water taxi service is currently available from the BLM North Spit boat launch, either across the bay to the community of Empire or further south to the town of Charleston at the mouth of the bay. Some hikers have managed to hire a fishing charter to take them to Charleston.
Coquille River
South Coast Tours (541-373-0487) offers boat ferry from Bullards Beach State Park boat ramp to Bandon marina. Phone to arrange an early morning ride.
BUS SERVICE
Public bus service is available along the entire Oregon Coast but from a variety of different transit agencies. Most bus companies will pick up or drop off at “flag stops” (unscheduled stops), allowing you to avoid long highway shoulder walks (see below). You need to pick a spot where the bus can pull all the way off the road. At some stops you may need to call ahead to make sure the bus stops for you, and make ourself visible to the driver by waving your arms or waving something colorful avoid being inadvertently bypassed. Expect to pay in cash (exact change), typically $2.50 or less.
Bus service is available from the airports in Portland, North Bend/Coos Bay, and Medford to (or close to) the trail, see below.
Astoria to Yachats
Get details on bus options from NW Connector, a consolidated site for six bus companies on the north coast.
Astoria to Cannon Beach TO Portland
The Point NorthWest Route provides daily bus service between downtown Portland and the Northwest Oregon Coast.
portland to the north coast
A new express bus service between west Portland and five coastal locations (Astoria to Tillamook) launches May 23, 2025. Fri, Sat, and Sun only, roundtrip $49.99. https://visittheoregoncoast.com/express.
Yachats to Florence
LinkLane Florence-Yachats Connector provides daily bus service (except holidays). For flag stops call the office at 541-902-2067 during weekday business hours.
Florence to North Bend/Coos Bay & Charleston
Coos County Area Transit has routes from Florence to Charleston, including access to the Southwest Oregon Regional Airport in North Bend/Coos Bay
Using the bus to avoid longer or dangerous highway walks
Check FarOut app for locations of bus stops and details for flagging down the bus in lieu of walking at the following longer highway stretches. For flagstops, study the bus schedule to estimate when bus will be passing by.
Garibaldi to Netarts (around Tillamook Bay). SOBO, take bus from Garibaldi (regular bus stop) to downtown Tillamook. Then take Route 2 toward Netarts; ask to stop at junction with Whiskey Creek Road to rejoin main OCT route. See NWConnector.org.
Pacific City to Neskowin (around Nestucca River). SOBO, take bus from Cape Kiwanda or Pacific City south; ask to be let off at the top of Winema Road to rejoin OCT route. NWConnector.org.
Cascade Head (south side) to Lincoln City north. SOBO, pick up bus along US 101 and Three Rocks Road (near south end of South Cascade Head Trail). This is a flagstop; wave arms to alert driver to stop and pick you up. NWConnector.org.
Lincoln City south to Gleneden Beach (around Siletz Bay).Pick up Lincoln County Transit’s Blueline at Taft IGA grocery store and ride to bus stop at Salishan & US 101. NWConnector.org.
Cape Perpetua to Rock Creek. SOBO, hike OCT to US 101 at west end of Cummins Creek Road, then cross highway and hike northbound a short distance to a wide pull-out on west side of road. Wave vigorously to alert driver to stop. Ask driver to let you off at pullout north of Rock Creek campground. NOBO: Wave bus driver down at Rock Creek Campground entrance; ask driver to let you off at Cummins Creek Road. Link-lane.org.
Heceta Head and Cape Creek Tunnel to Baker Beach.SOBO: Stand at pullout just north of Cape Creek tunnel and wave driver down; ask to be let off at Southview Lane. Walk to the next pullout to the south to find trail down to beach. NOBO: Wave driver down at bottom of Southview Lane; ask to be let out just north of the tunnel. If you prefer to walk that stretch, driver will pick you up at pullout at south end of tunnel and let you out just north of the tunnel. Link-lane.org.
End of Sparrow Park Road to Winchester Bay (around Umpqua River mouth). If you walk out to US 101 (rather than take the boat ferry across from the Umpqua North Spit), you can call ahead to arrange bus pick-up at US 101 (coostransit.org/routes/florence-express, 541-267-7111, x1). Offered twice daily. Wave wildly to make sure driver sees you (even if you called ahead). Alt: walk to bus stop in town of Gardiner.
North Bend to Charleston. To avoid the walk across the bridge over Coos Bay, you can catch the Florence Express bus (coostransit.org/routes/florence-express, 541-541-267-7111, x1) just north of the bridge at Bay Bridge Motel. Must call at least an hour ahead to alert driver to stop. Stops twice a day; $1.50 to just ride across bridge.
To avoid all of the road walking between North Bend and Charleston, the Blue Line bus runs frequently M-F.
Humbug Mountain State Park to Ophir Wayside. Curry Public Transit offers opportunity for hikers to bypass long highway walk to Ophir. SOBO, wait in wide pull-out just north of Humbug Mountain campground entrance. NOBO, wait at Ophir Wayside. Call at least an hour ahead to request a flagstop (currypublictransit.org/coastal-express, 541-412-8806.) If no phone service in campground, try walking above the campground NOBO a short distance. Study map to determine how far you want to go and discuss with driver when you get on bus.
An overnight outing on the OCT gives you an experience of the Oregon Coast that you can’t get out a car window or even on a day hike. With so many access points and trailheads, you can plan a trip of almost any distance and on any part of the coast, from the busy beaches on the north and central coast to the remote dunes on the south coast, though you will need to plan in advance for overnight parking.
Preparation
All multi-day hikers should be familiar with basic backpacking and backcountry techniques. You may need to wade rivers and work with the timing of the tides. If you get delayed or your plans don’t work out, you could find yourself hiking several extra miles.
You may have to carry extra water (and its extra weight) in sections where potable water isn’t available. You may encounter drenching rain. In an emergency, assistance can take hours to arrive, and cell phones can’t be relied upon due to spotty service.
A few tips for beginning backpackers
Try out your equipment (stove, tent) in advance.
Minimize your gear, including clothing. Limit your clothes to whatever you’ll need if you are wearing everything you require in the worst conditions you can reasonably expect. The less weight you carry, the more enjoyable your walk will be and the less chance you will have of injury, including blisters.
Expect to walk between one and three miles per hour (experienced and trail-hardened hikers will hike faster).
Look for stretches of the OCT that don’t include long stretches of highway shoulder walking.
More Logistics Help
Visit the OVERNIGHT page where you’ll find details specific to the OCT regarding camping, lodging, potable drinking water, and hygiene/toilets.
Check the PARKING AND PERMITS page if you plan to leave a car overnight. Check the TRAIL CONDITIONS page to learn if any trails or campgrounds are closed for part or all of the season (get real-time updates on the trail from the FarOut navigational app).
These options take an average hiker three to 7 days, averaging 7 to 10 miles a day. They have minimal road walking, and access to public transportation.
North Coast
The North Coast as far south to Garibaldi has the most beach walking and the least highway shoulder walking, but there are some long stretches without camping.
Contact Cape Lookout State Park about overnight parking. Bus service is available from Neskowin back to Netarts, leaving a 4-mile road walk back to Cape Lookout. Or set up a car shuttle with a fellow hiker.
Central Coast
The Central Coast has a fair amount of highway and secondary road walking, most of it in short stints. It also has lots of headland trail walking. This is a good stretch for “inn to inn” hiking, especially if you use vacation rentals to bridge some lodging gaps.
Contact Beverly Beach State Park about overnight parking. Bus service is available from Yachats back to Beverly Beach.
South Coast
The South Coast is where you’ll find the only significant dispersed camping (in Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area) and the most remote beach walking (south of Bandon), but getting across the Umpqua River and Coos Bay is logistically challenging. You’ll have to wade several rivers at low tide, and you’ll encounter the longest highway shoulder-walking stretch (Humbug Mountain State Park to Neskia Beach).
suggested Route:
Start at China Creek south of Bandon (mile 312).
Night 1: primitive campsite in the dunes by the New River (mile 319).
Night 2: Boice Cope Campground at Floras Lake (mile 324).
Night 3: Cape Blanco State Park Campground (mile 330).
Night 4: Port of Port Orford campsite (basically a gravel parking lot, but access to showers at the port) or hotel (mile 338).
Finish at Humbug Mountain State Park (mile 344). This last section includes 1.7 miles on the highway shoulder.
If you don’t have a car shuttle option: contact Humbug Mountain State Park to request overnight parking. From there the Coastal Express bus (call ahead to request pickup at the park highway entrance) can be used to get within 2 miles of the start point in Bandon (request drop off at Beach Loop Road).
These trail conditions updates alert hikers to trail closures (due to winter storm damage, for example), public campground closures, and other occurrences that may cause hazardous conditions or require hikers to change their route or camping plans. Trailkeepeers of Oregon staff and volunteers will update this page with current conditions as soon as possible.
Recent Updates
BOARDMAN SSC: There is a footbridge out over House Rock Creek, about 0.5 mile south of House Rock Viewpoint in Boardman State Scenic Corridor. Alternative: at the failed bridge, detour uphill a short distance to US 101 and walk US 101 0.4 mile to parking area for Cape Ferrelo and return to OCT.
NORTH CAPE SEBASTIAN: The North Cape Sebastian Trail is washed out at Daniels Creek (approx. 2.4 miles after leaving the beach SOBO, or 1.2 miles south of where the north and south trails meet at the top of the cape) due to a failed culvert.Do not attempt. SOBO alternative: 1 mile past where you leave the beach and join the trail south of Gold Beach, there is a gate: leave the OCT here and follow the well-marked side trail to Bellview Lane and US 101. Given problems on the south trail as well, suggest either walking or catching bus here 3 miles south to the first beach access. Bus: currypublictransit.org; will stop if you flag down. Infrequent service but very accommodating. NOBO: Recommend leaving the trail at the last beach access north of Pistol River due to difficulty of accessing the south trail; bus or walk US 101 to Bellview Lane, which is 1.4 miles north of Cape Sebastian State Park entrance road, and follow trails/signage west 0.5 mile to meet up with OCT.
SOUTH CAPE SEBASTIAN: The final drop from the south end of the South Cape Sebastian Trail has further degraded/washed out (in addition to precipitous drop down rock face to the beach) and is not recommended SOBO; it is even more dangerous/difficult to reach NOBO. See comments/alternatives on north Cape Sebastian Trail
The trail up CAPE MEARES from the beach is closed due to large landslide; Several downed trees have been removed, but the slide still needs to be repaired. Alt route: from Beach Access 30, go east 0.6 mile on NW Meares Ave, go right on Cape Meares Loop 1 mile, veer right on pedestrian route (old road) 1 mile to Cape Meares State Park entrance.
The North Trail to CAPE LOOKOUT is closed due to a large tree falling onto a bridge. This is not anticipated to be a quick fix, with work not scheduled to begin until October. Alternate route is to hike the road from the campground entrance to the top of Cape Lookout and then proceed down the South Trail.
Additional Updates
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.
