Cannon Beach Outdoor Activities

The Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site is located right along the south end of Cannon Beach. Enjoy the tranquil scenery of gentle crashing waves along the shoreline by taking a walk, flying a kite, or just relaxing in the sand with family and friends.

From Tolovana, you can see Haystack Rock to the north, and you can view nesting seabirds such as puffins. A great place for a casual afternoon at Cannon Beach!

This hard-to-miss coastal rock formation is a quintessential Cannon Beach scene.

Haystack Rock is a 235-foot geologic coastal landform, called a sea stack, located in Cannon Beach, Oregon. Some consider it to be the third-tallest such intertidal structure in the world, but we could not find anything official. Located near the beach, this monolithic rock is a popular tourist attraction and a highly photographed point of interest.

The formation is actually accessible by foot at low tide. The Haystack Rock tide pools are an attraction in itself. Home to various intertidal animals, including starfish, crabs, sea slugs, anemone, and many more, the rock is also a nesting site for many sea birds, such as puffins.

Located about 3 miles north of Cannon Beach is Ecola State Park is a state park encompassing 9 miles of coastline between Cannon Beach and Seaside. The park also includes the famously scenic Tillamook Head. This area was originally discovered in 1806 when William Clark and other members of the Corps of Discovery traveled through the area in search of a beached whale and saw burial canoes of the Tillamook, a local Native American tribe. Ecola State Park is included as part of Lewis and Clark National Historical Park.

Also within the park is an archaeological site, Bald Site Point, which dates to around 1550 CE. A lot of information about the Tillamook has been ascertained from this site.

Nearly 8 miles of gorgeous Oregon coastline are included in the park, providing excellent views and unforgettable hikes. Scenes from several movies have been filmed at Indian Beach and other park locations.

Hug Point State Recreation Site is a free state park open to the public, located just 5 miles south of Cannon Beach along Route 101 in Arch Cape, Oregon. Popular activities include beach fishing, picnicking, and walking along the Pacific Ocean.

This beautiful cape owes its name to the 19th Century stagecoach highway that -had to hug- this point at low tide.

Surfing is a popular activity along the Oregon coast! Even in summer, the Pacific stays chilly at 55 degrees but with the right gear that does not stop people from surfing!

Take a lesson and rent gear from Cannon Beach Surf Lessons and Rentals. Then head to Short Sand Beach, a local favorite for surfing. You can also find great curls at both Ecola State Park and Oswald State Park, just be sure to check the surfing report before heading out!

Cast a line from a charter boat or from the beach and experience the world-class fishing the Oregon coast is known for. Fishing from the beaches you can expect active bites from Surfperch most of the summer. The best spots are near where creeks feed into the ocean and near the jetties.

If you hire a charter, during the warmer months you can deep-sea fish for tuna, steelhead, and salmon. You can also go for halibut and other bottom feeders all year round! You can even find Sturgeon in the nearby bays and the mouth of the Columbia.

Book your chartered trip with Coastal Fishing Adventures or Pacific Roots Adventures and make the catch of a lifetime.

Head up to Seaside and rent a kayak, SUP, or even a swan boat from Wheel Fun Rentals! Paddle around the calm tributaries that feed into the ocean and take in Seaside from a different point of view! Look for the many birds and other wildlife that make their home on the freshwater ways. Located right in Quatat Park, the Wheel Fun dock is convenient to access.

Make sure to wear your life jacket!

Along Cannon Beach`s beaches, you`ll find so much more than just crashing waves and impressive natural structures. Take a stroll down to the area`s many tidepools to admire some of the smaller marine life of northern Oregon coast.

For the best tidepool-viewing, head to Arcadia Beach, Haystack Rock, Oswald State Park, and Ecola State Park