The Oregon coast is phenomenally beautiful — there’s no question about it. From tip to tip, this stunning stretch of shoreline is dotted with hidden beaches, incredible cliffs, majestic sea stacks, rolling dunes, mountaintop viewpoints, old-growth forests, and so much more. While iconic features like Haystack Rock are undeniably amazing, the coast is also full of overlooked hidden gems just waiting to be explored. Here are a few of our favorite Oregon Coast hidden gems:
Located at the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, this beautiful beach is made up of thousands of smooth, 14-million-year-old basalt "cobble stones". You can take a walk along the shore, peek into tide pools, birdwatch, and even check out the historic Yaquina Head Lighthouse nearby.
For one of the best hidden gems on the Oregon Coast, head to Cobble Beach in this photo shoot with Scott Davenport:
Located at the edge of the charming coastal town of Neskowin, this gorgeous beach is speckled with beautiful sea stacks and tide pools, and when the tide is low you can even see the amazing "Neskowin ghost forest", which is comprised of many 2,000-year-old tree trunks partially buried beneath the sand.
This wondrous mountain near Manzanita overlooks miles of miles of the gorgeous shoreline. There are numerous hiking trails around Neahkahnie Mountain that will lead you to the top of the cape, ranging from an 8-mile trek to an easy 3-mile jaunt. No matter how you choose to get there, the view at the end will take your breath away.
This awesome little hidden beach is absolutely enchanting. Located south of Cannon Beach, this secluded cove is a great place to relax on the beach, explore caves, and even see a lovely waterfall that cascades right onto the beach!
The spectacular Natural Bridges Cove on the coast of southern Oregon looks just like something from a fairy tale. You can reach this gorgeous viewpoint by taking a short hike through the forest at Samuel H Boardman State Scenic Corridor.
Located near Florence is a beautiful hidden beach that can only be accessed on a magical, secret trail called the Hobbit Trail. This short, half-mile hike will lead you to a sandy cove semi-enclosed by tree-covered hills.
Let's take a morning hike to Hobbit Beach on the Hobbit Trail in Florence, Oregon in this video from Matt Cook Oregon:
4. Shore Acres State Park
Shore Acres State Park, 89526 Cape Arago Hwy, Coos Bay, OR 97420, USA
Located near Coos Bay, this unique state park features a manicured, European-style garden as well as a stunning, dramatic strip of shoreline full of rugged rocks, steep cliffs, and crashing waves.
Located in the fiercely beautiful Cape Perpetua Scenic Area near Yachats, Devil's Churn is an incredible natural feature of the coast. This fissure in the rocky shore catches the incoming tide and sends it swirling and spraying into the sky. A short trail leads visitors down towards the churn to see it up close.
2. Peter Iredale and Fort Stevens State Park
Wreck of the Peter Iredale, Peter Iredale Rd, Hammond, OR 97121, USA
Located on the northwestern tip of Oregon, Fort Stevens State Park is uniquely beautiful and full of fascinating history. The park is home to the ruins of an abandoned military fort, and on the beach, you'll find the amazing ruins of the Peter Iredale shipwreck.
Located near Coos Bay and the Cape Arago Lighthouse, this gorgeous, semi-enclosed beach is incredibly scenic. There's a great campground at Sunset Bay State Park as well, where you can sleep near the beach in a tent or rent a rustic yurt for the night.
Check out the Sunset Bay State Park campground in this video from Travel Small Live Big:
With so many natural wonders in Oregon, we’ll never run out of interesting places to explore. Check out our ultimate Oregon Coast road trip for some incredibly scenic drives and even more Oregon Coast hidden gems.
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More to Explore
More Hidden Gems In Oregon
Chris Muras|November 29, 2023
What are some hidden gems near me in Oregon?
The Pacific Northwest is an incredible location for losing yourself in the Earth's natural beauty. From hidden gems on the Oregon Coast to dense forests and rushing waterfalls, there is no place that isn't worth exploring. Here are a few hidden gems near you in Oregon that we think you'll love:
Lost Lake, Mount Hood National Forest, OR: When early morning light rises over the mountains and reflects in the mirror-like surface, you will think you've stepped into an Ansel Adams photograph. This hidden gem, not too far from the Oregon Coast, is an incredibly scenic lake made even more beautiful because of its remoteness.
Opal Creek, Willamette National Forest, OR: Imagine a picture-perfect setting with a vibrant waterfall plunging into a clear pool of water with the setting sun filtering through the trees. And you'll have a pretty good picture of what you'll find along Opal Creek. Not only is there a stunning waterfall swimming hole, but you'll find a natural rock slide that is incredibly fun to swoop down on a hot summer day.
Pillars of Rome, Jordan Valley, OR: This surreal landscape isn't like the rest of Oregon with white sandy beaches or lush old-growth forests - in comparison it seems like another planet. With towering geological formations that reach as high as 100 feet tall, it looks more like something you'd find in the SouthWest. The area is only about five miles by two miles wide but it is a beautiful surreal spot that is filled with fossils that date back millions of years.
There are so many wonderful natural attractions and beautiful areas to explore in Oregon. Check out this list of some of our favorite natural hidden gems in Oregon. One of the best ways to enjoy the PNW is by taking a road trip. Hop in an RV from RVShare and hit the open road.