Oregon Coast Trail – Trailkeepers of Oregon

Detours for the shoulder season
This itinerary is designed for flexible planning, addressing common challenges—including high tides, unfavorable river levels, and trail closures—that can otherwise prevent hikers from completing the trail outside of peak season.
This version of the itinerary utilizes public transit (local bus service) to safely bypass documented closures, areas with hazardous conditions, or long, uninspiring road walks. Always check current tides, specific closures, and local transit schedules before your trip.
The Route: 12 Days / ~169 Miles
This 12-day version of the trail still spans from the Columbia River to the California border. It does have some longer days, that could be shortened by using buses more extensively. It includes about 40% of the full OCT, with minimal road walking confined mostly to in-town or quiet back roads. This represents an extreme version, incorporating all possible detours; most hikers wouldn’t need to use all of them. Here is the breakdown by section:
Section 1: Columbia River to Garibaldi
- Day 1: Columbia River to Seaside (19 mi)
  
  Classic OCT beach hike, with only a short road walk into Seaside.
- Day 2: Seaside to Manzanita (7 mi)
  
  If Ecola State Park trails are impassable due to mud or closure, take the local bus to Cannon Beach. If tides allow, hike Silver and Hug Points; otherwise, consider skipping these sections or road walking with extreme caution. From Arch Cape, bus to Manzanita if there are closures on the Cape Falcon and Neahkahnie trails.
- Day 3 (morning): Manzanita to Rockaway Beach (10 mi)
  
  Use the Jetty Fishery ferry across Nehalem River (need to confirm availability if off-season). Catch the bus from Rockaway to Tillamook, bypassing Bayocean Spit.
Section 2: Garibaldi to Lincoln City
- Day 3 (afternoon): Pacific City (5 mi day hiking)
  
  If Cape Meares and Cape Lookout trails have washouts or other closures, take the bus to Pacific City. Hike back north through the dunes to explore Cape Kiwanda. Then catch the bus to Lincoln City.
Section 3: Lincoln City to Florence
- Day 4: Lincoln City to Newport (15 mi)
  
  Hike the beach to Taft, then bus to Otter Rock. After lunch, continue the beach hike to Newport.
- Day 5: Newport to Waldport (16 mi)
  
  Beach hike with short highway stretches required only for bridge crossings at Yaquina and Alsea Rivers.
- Day 6: Waldport to Yachats (9 mi)
  
  A lovely uninterrupted beach stretch.
- Day 7: Yachats to Florence (15 mi)
  
  Take the bus past the road walk near Cape Perpetua to Rock Creek Campground. Hike trails to Heceta Head, then bus again to skip the dangerous highway/tunnel stretch. Rejoin the trail for the beach stretch into Florence.
Section 4: Florence to Port Orford
- Day 8: Florence to Winchester Bay (16 mi)
  
  If the Umpqua ferry is not an option due to weather, and Sparrow Park Road is impassable due to flooding, hike to Oregon Dunes Day Use Area, then bus to Winchester Bay.
- Day 9: Winchester Bay to North Bend (11 mi)
  
  Hike to John Dellenback Dunes, then follow the trail to highway and into Lakeside. Then take the bus to North Bend, skipping Tenmile Creek and the road walk into town.
- Day 10: Day hike in Bandon (8 mi)
  
  Skip the long road walk from North Bend and take the bus directly to Bandon. Day hike the sea stacks (Face Rock, etc.), then continue by bus to Port Orford. Note: This detour avoids the New River crossing, meaning you skip Floras Lake.
Section 5: Port Orford to the California Border
- Day 11: Port Orford to Gold Beach (17 mi)
  
  Hike to Humbug Mountain (check trail conditions). Bus past the long highway stretch, then rejoin the trail at Ophir. Finish with a beach hike to Nesika and take backroads into Gold Beach.
- Day 12: Gold Beach to California Border (22 mi)
  
  Hike to Cape Sebastian, then cut inland to the highway and walk to Myers Creek. Hike the beach to Pistol River, detour for a safe crossing, then continue via bus Brookings. Finish with a side-road hike to the border.
Lauren Lake
February 28, 2026
Oregon Coast Trail
Operating a Boat Ferry
Are you or someone you know interested in operating a boat ferry for Oregon Coast Trail hikers?
For Oregon Coast Trail purposes, the terms “water taxi” or “boat ferry” refer to services that offer a shuttle by boat across a large bay or river mouth, allowing hikers to avoid what would otherwise be a road walk (often several miles, and often along the shoulder of US 101)). To date, this service has been offered only by private outfitters, though it is possible that it could be offered by a state agency (or a contractor for that agency) as part of a recreational program associated with a state park.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR PROSPECTIVE WATER TAXI OUTFITTERS:
SEASON: The core OCT hiking season is mid-June through September. Some hikers start earlier in the spring, particularly on the northern half of the trail; a few hike into October.
SCHEDULING: Typically, hikers should plan to call ahead to reserve a ride, especially when tides or other local conditions limit when rides can be offered, or where demand is limited enough that the outfitter cannot guarantee a ferry will be available on call or all day. To protect both the hiker and the outfitter, TKO recommends that outfitters arrange payment in advance; this gives hikers confidence that the boat will arrive as scheduled, and it gives outfitters confidence that the hiker will arrive (and pay) as scheduled.
If the outfitter wishes to offer rides on a regular schedule, it is important to determine what the likely rhythms of hikers are at this site. Most OCT hikers travel southbound. If the river or bay is just north of a popular campground, ferry requests will likely be concentrated at the end of the day. If a popular campground is just north of the river or bay, expect hikers to request an early shuttle for an early start to their hiking day.
COST: A quick shuttle (such as at Nehalem Bay) may charge per person ($10 as of summer 2026), regardless how many hikers are shuttled at one time. Most outfitters charge a set fee per trip covering the first two hikers, with an additional charge per person on the same trip (for example, $50 for the first two and $10 per person for additional hikers).
HISTORY AND SUGGESTIONS FOR THE FUTURE
Most large bays (those too large to wade) are easily crossed on highway bridges with sidewalks without requiring hikers to veer far off the OCT beach or trail route, as with Alsea Bay and Yaquina Bay. The following large bays currently have, or have had, and may in the future have a water taxi operation that would significantly improve the safety and enjoyment of the OCT hiking experience.
NEHALEM BAY: Jetty Fishery has offered hiker shuttles across the mouth of the Nehalem Bay for at least 30 years, from the beach at Nehalem Spit to the dock at the marina. Shuttles are typically available by last-minute request virtually all day, every day, spring through fall, from 7 am to at least 4 pm. Jetty Fishery, 503-368-5746.
TILLAMOOK BAY: Garibaldi Marina has for decades offered hiker shuttles across Tillamook Bay from their dock at the Port of Garibaldi to the beach at what’s known as Crab Harbor (or vicinity) on Bayocean Spit. Due to the more challenging conditions (tide, current, wind, fog) on the wide bay crossing, boat ferries here require at least 24 hours’ notice and can only be provided during optimal tide and weather conditions, which does not always align with hikers’ needs/schedules. (Alternatively, hikers can walk many miles around the bay to the beach at the community of Cape Meares, or take a public bus from Garibaldi to transit center in Tillamook, then a second bus from Tillamook to near Netarts.) Garibaldi Marina, 503-322-3312.
NETARTS BAY: In the past, a private outfitter (Big Spruce RV Park) has sometimes offered hikers shuttles from the boat ramp at Netarts to the beach at the end of Netarts Spit. This service is no longer available because of the outfitter’s unwillingness to offer it. Due to the very shallow bay and seasonally shifting channels, such a boat ferry across this bay should be safely undertaken only at high tide by an experienced outfitter. (Alternatively, hikers walk from Netarts to the entrance of Cape Lookout State Park on Whiskey Creek Road, which is not very busy with vehicle traffic, but its shoulder varies in width).
SIUSLAW RIVER: There has never been a boat shuttle here, and there isn’t likely to be one in the future, due to the lack of safe launching and landing spots on the north and south jetties. Instead, southbound hikers walk a side road into Florence, cross the Siuslaw River on the US 101 bridge, and follow roads a short distance to return to the beach.
UMPQUA RIVER: Salmon Harbor Tackle and Charter Service offers crossings, which may be booked in advance. 541-361-6256.
COOS BAY (BLM North Spit Boat Ramp to Charleston or Empire): There have occasionally been outfitters willing to shuttle hikers from the BLM North Spit boat ramp to the marina at Charleston, but there has never been a regular service hikers can depend on. This could be a lucrative service for an outfitter. Most hikers end their day on the spit and will want a ride in the afternoon, allowing them to access campgrounds at Bastendorff Beach or Sunset Bay after a relatively short road walk. A water taxi service could be piloted by a fishing outfitter by offering a once-day shuttle from Charleston, to the BLM boat launch, then to Empire, and back to Charleston at the end of a fishing charter. This would serve both hikers who want to go to North Bend/Coos Bay (via Empire) to resupply or take a day off in a motel, as well as hikers who want to go straight to Charleston to access camping and lodging options.
COQUILLE RIVER:
A water taxi operated briefly between Bullards Beach State Park boat ramp and downtown Bandon but shut down after 2025. The only real benefit was allowing hikers to avoid walking a 0.7-mile highway shoulder stretch (including a short highway bridge with no sidewalk): apparently most hikers would rather take that risk (especially early in the morning when traffic is light) than pay for a boat ride.
PUBLICIZING WATER TAXI SERVICES
Email info.oct@Trailkeepersoforegon.org. TKO will post information on its website (trailkeepersoforegon.org/oct) and will update the FarOut navigation app and the current year’s OCT hiker Facebook page. These sites are monitored closely to ensure that information is up to date.
Lauren Lake
February 13, 2026
Oregon Coast Trail, Uncategorized
Enhanced Bus Service now helps Oregon Coast Trail hikers avoid highway shoulder walking
Photo by Bonnie Henderson
The increasingly popular 400-mile-long Oregon Coast Trail relies on a combination of public beaches, forest trails, water taxis, and backroads to take hikers from the Columbia River to the California border. Seaside cliffs and stretches of private land still require hikers to walk along the shoulder of US 101 in several stretches. But recent improvements in bus service along the coast now provide hikers with a safer alternative at every significant highway shoulder section while minimizing hikers’ miles off the trail’s beaches and footpaths.
A network of six transit agencies has long provided uninterrupted service along the Oregon Coast, but using only official bus stops would take hikers off the trail for long distances, making bus use less attractive to hikers. Transit officials have recently expanded their use of unofficial but safety-vetted flagstops for hikers along the entire OCT route. Among those sections most beneficial to hikers:
- From the trailhead at the south side of Cascade Head to hikers’ return to the beach at the north end of Lincoln City, eliminating 4 miles of highway shoulder walking.
- From the north end of the tunnel at Heceta Head to hikers’ return to the beach north of Florence, allowing hikers to bypass a tunnel with no sidewalk a particularly dangerous highway section.
- From Humbug Mountain State Park to Ophir, the longest continuous highway stretch on the OCT.
Using the bus requires planning, as some routes run infrequently. Be prepared to pay bus fare in cash (typically $2.50 or less).
Approved OCT flagstops can be found here.
Steven Moore
March 26, 2025
News, Oregon Coast 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
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 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: In addition to the Rainforest Trail closure noted above under Recent Updates: 1) Forest Road 1861 on Cascade Head is closed to vehicles (maybe permanently) due to landslides but accessible on foot. 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. Alt: Take the bus or walk the highway.
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.
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
none
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.
Henny Hennessy
February 3, 2025
Oregon Coast Trail, Trail Conditions
Recent Updates
- A recent and active landslide has closed the trail down the south side of Tillamook Head. Use the Clatsop Trail alternate, which is a well-maintained service road. Also, the shelters at the camp area at the top of Tillamook Head are being torn down. There is still a covered picnic area, campsites, and a vault toilet.
- There is no longer a drop-in hiker/biker camp area at Barview Jetty. They do have tent sites set aside for hikers and bikers, but they are limited in number and may all be reserved/occupied on peak weekends. Alt: call ahead to Old Mill RV Park in Garibaldi to see if they have a tent site available.
- Tons of windfall trees and a landslide have effectively closed the North Rainforest Trail at Cascade Head for now. USFS sign says hike at your own risk, but OCT hikers have found it impassible. Accessing the South Rainforest Trail via Forest Road 1861 is also problematic due to landslides affecting the road. Alt: Take the bus or walk the highway.
- The beach access at Hug Point is closed until at least spring due to erosion at the beach access. If tides allow rounding the point, it is possible to hike through, but there will be no toilet facilities available. If bypassing the point due to the tides, exit at Arcadia Beach and rejoin the beach at Arch Cape.
- 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.
- Cape Lookout State Park campground will be totally closed starting June 1 through the summer of 2026.
- 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, though skilled hikers have been getting through; it is even more difficult to reach NOBO. See comments/alternatives on north Cape Sebastian Trail
- Scroll down to Section 4 under ADDITIONAL UPDATES for information about outfitters offering water taxis across the Umpqua River at Winchester Bay and the Coquille River at Bandon.
Henny Hennessy
January 31, 2025
Oregon Coast Trail, Trail Conditions
Trail Running
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.
Lauren Lake
December 23, 2024
Oregon Coast Trail
FAQ
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.

Where can I get a map of the trail?
Oregon State Parks has posted OCT maps online, but they aren’t entirely reliable or up to date. The best wayfinding resources are the FarOut navigational app, Hiking the Oregon Coast Trail guidebook (for backpackers) and Exploring the Oregon Coast Trail guidebook (for day hikers).

What kind of clothing is recommended on the OCT?
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. 2026 season update: Due to the mild winter, there have been increased reports of ticks in brushy areas on the coast.

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.
Lauren Lake
December 22, 2024
Oregon Coast Trail
Day Hiking
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.
Lauren Lake
December 22, 2024
Oregon Coast Trail
Overnight
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 is allowed 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 $10 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.
Lauren Lake
December 22, 2024
Oregon Coast Trail
Parking & Permits
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.
- For the northern trailhead, contact Fort Stevens State Park
- For the southern trailhead, contact Crissey Field State Recreation Site
You will need to display the overnight permit (free) as well as a state park parking permit (if required at the site).
Getting to/From the trail
The closest airports to the OCT are:
- North Coast — Portland International Airport (PDX)
  - Most used since most hikers hike southbound
- Central Coast — Southwest Oregon Regional Airport (OTH)
  - Located in North Bend/Coos Bay on the coast
- South Coast — Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR)
  - Closest to the southern trailhead at Brookings
Bus service is available from the airport to (or close to) the trail.
Lauren Lake
December 22, 2024
Oregon Coast Trail