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: 1) Forest Road 1861 on Cascade Head is closed to vehicles (maybe permanently) due to landslides but accessible on foot. The 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.

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. 

• The south slide on Ecola Park Road experienced significant movement Dec 13-14. Ecola State Park is now closed to all vehicle traffic. Park staff have secured the park by locking the southernmost gate and placing barricades across the roadway at 8th Street. This means restrooms will be closed. While there’s no word on the condition of the trail, the storm probably didn’t do it any favors. 
• 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 April 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.