Oswald West
State Park

Near Seaside, Oregon, United States

Stretching along four miles of coastline in dense, temperate rainforest, Oswald West State Park has a beautifully secluded sandy beach and miles of trails leading to breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.  This vast, scenic treasure is without a doubt one of the most spectacular parks in Oregon.  Located two hours west of Portland on the north Oregon Coast, Oswald West State Park is popular with surfers, hikers and beach goers and has much to offer in the way of recreation. 

A popular beach that’s alive with activity on any weekend or summer day, Short Sand Beach lies sheltered in a cove blanketed by forests and edged with volcanic basalt and sandstone cliffs characteristic of the Oregon coastline.   Nicknamed “Shorty’s” by locals, the beach is just a half mile walk through the woods.  From the main parking lot, walk under Highway 101, and down the trail, following the contours of Short Sand Creek through the forest.  Cross the creek on a railroad-style bridge and you’ll find yourself at a beautiful picnic area overlooking the beach. 

Oswald West State Park offers miles of hiking trails in this 2,484 acre park.  A 13-mile stretch of the Oregon Coast Trail weaves its way through the entire park, starting at the community of Arch Cape and extending south towards the town of Manzanita.  Two prominent headlands, Cape Falcon and Neah-kah-nie Mountain are included in the park and offer great hikes.  Park in one of four parking lots along Highway 101 and enter one of the best preserved coastal rainforests in Oregon.  Low-growing ferns, salal and salmonberry are shaded by massive western red cedar, western hemlock and Sitka Spruce trees that form the basis of the temperate coastal rainforest ecosystem of the Northwest.  Oswald West does not offer camping.

 

 

Effective Mar 28, 2023 – Apr 2, 2023
Whale Watch Week returns to in-person events along the Oregon Coast March 28 - April 2, 2023. This event could impact traffic and parking.

Volunteers will be at most of the 17 sites from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help visitors spot whales during the annual gray whale migration from Mexico.

The sites include:
Fort Stevens State Park--Peter Iredale Shipwreck
Neahkahnie Mountain Overlook
Cape Meares Lighthouse
Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint
The Whale Watching Center
Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint
Otter Crest State Scenic Viewpoint--Cape Foulweather
Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
Yaquina Bay Lighthouse
Yachats State Recreation Area
Cape Perpetua Turnout
Heceta Head Lightouse
Umpqua Lighthouse
Shore Acres State Park
Face Rock Scenic Viewpoint
Ophir Wayside
Harris Beach State Park
Effective Dec 27, 2022
Park staff encourage visitors to use caution when visiting after a storm and to be patient with crews as they work to restore services and access as soon and as safely as possible.
  • The suspension bridge over Necarney Creek was damaged and is closed at this time.
  • Necarney Creek parking lot is closed due to a downed tree.
  • Stay clear of downed trees. They can be under tension and spring up unexpectedly to cause injury or death. 
  • Do not climb on downed trees. Sometimes they are only held in position by only a strand of bark or a few fibers.
  • Trees and debris may be unexpectedly blocking access to recreational features, trails or facilities. Please be patient, follow all posted signs and make safe choices.
  • If It continues to rain, more damage could occur including fallen trees on trails.
  • Service levels in restroom facilities, garbage collection and beach access obstruction removal are reduced during cleanup. Please be patient. 
Effective Oct 3, 2022
Upper Short Sand Creek Trail (Trail 12 on the map) is closed until further notice. The 32-foot wooden span experienced catastrophic failure of the glulam bridge stringers. The entire span has been removed. Park staff are working on replacement options at this time. 
Effective Sep 20, 2020
Necarney Creek restroom is closed due to water system issues.
Effective Jun 3, 2020
Please park in designated areas only. Parking on the highway shoulder may result in a citation. 
mdi-white-balance-sunny Open for day use Year Round mdi-cellphone Call for info: 800-551-6949
Call park: 503-812-0650
Current Conditions Directions Feedback

Amenities & Features

Questions

mdi-help-circle-outline General

Can I bring pets to the park?

Yes. Pets must be on a leash not more than six feet long, and kept under physical control at all times. You're responsible to pick up after your pets.

mdi-help-circle-outline What's Allowed

Are drones allowed?

Drones are not allowed to protect nesting shorebirds. 

mdi-help-circle-outline Animals

Must I leash my dog on the ocean shore?

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.

mdi-help-circle-outline Day use/Special Events

I want to reserve part of the park or beach for an event, commercial filming, construction, or other special use. What do I need to do?

Special events and nontraditional activities require a special use permit.

OPRD does not issue special use permits at this park for events that take place between the Friday before Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day.

For more questions, review our statewide FAQ

History

  • Obtained between 1931 and 1976, by purchase and gifts from private owners, E. S. and Mary Collins, Tillamook County, S. G. Reed and Edward Tallman. Land exchanges with the State Board of Forestry and the Crown Zellerbach Corporation completed the park. Once named Short Sand Beach, the park was renamed Oswald West State Park in 1958 at a ceremony honoring former Oregon Governor Oswald West (1873-1960), by whose foresight nearly 400 miles of Oregon shoreline were set aside for public use. Short Sand Beach is located in Smugglers Cove, but there is no evidence of the cove having been used by smugglers. The park is another monument to the acquisition efforts of Parks Superintendent Samuel H. Boardman, who labored hard and long to acquire the principal lands between 1931 and his retirement in 1950. Mr. Boardman's protection foresight is represented by the 354 acres in a rugged portion of the park purchased for $18,000 in 1942. The Oregon Highway Commission agreed to acquisition on condition that enough timber could be sold off the property to cover the cost. This was early in Second World War when timber was needed for the war effort. The timber was offered for sale with enough restrictions that only minimum bids were tendered. These were rejected by the commission and the trees were saved. Early trail improvements at Oswald West Park were made by the Civilian Conservation Corps between 1939 and 1941. Neah-kah-nie is thought to be derived from Clatsop or Tillamook languages as the name for the lofty mountain overlooking the ocean and the spirit associated with it. The walk-in campground was closed in 2008 after a 11-foot diameter spruce fell without warning. No campers were injured, though the tree did fall across several campsites. In 2009 after public discussion and an evaluation of the decayed and aging trees, OPRD decided to operate the park as day-use only.

Brochures and Maps

mdi-file-pdf-box 2023 North Coast Tide Tables mdi-file-pdf-box Oswald West trail guide

Photos