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). If you are interested in operating boat ferry for Oregon Coast Trail hikers, see more information here.
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.
Umpqua River
Salmon Harbor Tackle and Guide Service offers hiker boat shuttle between Umpqua north spit and Winchester Bay, typically starting mid-April through at least September. Call owner Ted Jones 541-643-7055 at least a day ahead to arrange. Generally shuttles available 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.
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 and the FarOut navigational app with current conditions as soon as possible.
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.
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.
