Please be aware of the tide when exploring the beach and headlands of Hug Point State Recreation Site! It is possible to become stranded by the incoming tide when exploring the point. Tide and sand conditions change with the seasons. If in doubt, don't go out! You can access tide information by clicking or copying and pasting this link into your browser: http://tides.willyweather.com/or/tillamook-county/hug-point.html.
Hug Point State Recreation Site offers an easy access to the beach, a peek at some interesting local history and loads of scenic beauty. Just 5 miles south of Cannon Beach, this little wayside includes forested picnic areas, a restroom and a short walkway to the beach.
The lovely sandy cove beach just off the park is backed by hills vegetated by salal, ferns and sitka spruce. Located between Austin Point to the south and Hug Point to the north, a short walk north reveals a seasonal waterfall, caves carved into sandstone cliffs and tide pools accessible during low tide.
Imagine traveling by stagecoach along the beach. Before the highway was built, the beach was the only way to travel along this stretch of coast. North of the parking area at low tide you may walk along the original stagecoach road, still harboring the wheel ruts carved into the rock. Pioneers traveling around this headland had to hug the point carefully, even at low tide. Thus, the point and the park are both aptly named Hug Point.
Take a look at the stagecoach trail, the view of Haystack Rock to the north and the two caves around the point, but please do so in a safe manner.
Drones are not allowed to protect nesting shorebirds.
The short answer is no, but the handler of any domestic animal on the ocean shore does have responsibilities. Please refer to an excerpt from our ocean shore rules, below:
(2) The handler of any domestic animal must be responsible for the animal's behavior and must exercise direct control over the animal while in the ocean shore state recreation area.
(a) “Direct control” means that the animal is within the unobstructed sight of the handler and responds to voice commands or other methods of control.
(b) Domestic animal handlers must carry a leash or restraining device at all times while in the ocean shore state recreation area.
(c) Domestic animal handlers must promptly leash animals at the request or order of a park employee.
(d) Handlers must prevent their animals from harassing people, wildlife and other domestic animals.
(e) Animals may not be hitched or confined in a manner that may cause damage to any natural resources on the ocean shore.
(f) Handlers are responsible for the removal of the animal's waste while in the ocean shore state recreation area.
Special events and nontraditional activities require a special use permit.
OPRD does not issue special use permits of any kind at this park for events that take place between the Friday before Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day.
The original 1.3 acres of this tract were given to the state by Clatsop County in 1957. In 1968, land was purchased from Elizabeth Johnson which, added to a later exchange with Crown Zellerbach in 1978, netted 41 additional acres. Hug Point was so named because it was necessary to hug the rocks to get around the point on the ocean front without getting wet.