Oregon's shoreline is a geologic mix of sandy beaches, rocky shores and towering capes rising from the sea. All of it — stretching from the Columbia River south to the Oregon/California border and between the vegetation line and extreme low tide — is waiting for you to take a stunning walk along the edge of the Pacific Ocean. See the History section below to learn why Oregon's beaches are open to everyone to explore.
Want a bigger adventure? Hike part or all of entire 362 miles of coastline on the Oregon Coast Trail. Many sections are excellent day hikes. Other sections are on beach and road shoulders. Adventurers looking to complete the trek should be prepared for a challenging scrambles, pre-planned supply drops, and an understanding of tidal influences and seasonal changes.
Whether you are on a through-hike or a casual beach walk, stop and explore the vibrant life in tidepools. Looking for a great tidepool area? Take a look at the map on our Oregon Tidepool website, which also includes a species guide and trip tips. Want to check out more photos of Oregon's ocean shoreline? Check out our Ocean Shore Scenery Flickr album. Some beaches are part of protected nesting grounds of the western snowy plover. Learn more about how Oregon is protecting their seasonal beach nesting areas.
Whether you're picnicking, soaking up the sun or watching a spectacular sunset, make sure your trip is a safe one. Visit our beach safety web page to learn about sneaker waves, rip tides and drift logs. Before any trip, be sure to check the tide times.
Visit our events page to search for cleanup events you can join and learn about other options with our partners, including SOLVE and Surfrider.
Check out our Oregon Coast Lighthouses brochure.
There’s nothing typical about Oregon coast weather. Assume it might be rainy, cold and windy. You’ll be prepared (dress in layers), but might also be pleasantly surprised. Here’s a good synopsis about what you can expect. Be sure to check the weather and tide forecasts before you head out (but remember things can change quickly).
Check out the Oregon Coastal Access Inventory. Be sure to note the type of access-- not all lead to a beach. The inventory also includes boat and visual access (i.e., viewing areas) points.
The 382-mile Oregon Coast Trail takes hikers across sandy beaches, forest-shaded corridors and over majestic headlands: Oregon Coast Trail page.
While we can’t prevent a tsunami, we can prepare for one. The Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) hosts the Oregon Tsunami Clearinghouse with tons of information, including evacuation maps and apps.
Oregon Sea Grant has a great publication on the wrack line, check it out to figure out what that stuff you find along the beach might be!
Yes. There are some sections of Oregon’s shoreline that have been designated to provide lasting protection for part or all of the resources within them. Oregon has various types of specially designated areas including Marine Gardens, Research Reserves, Habitat Refuges, Marine Protected Areas, Marine Reserves and National Wildlife Refuges.
Restrictions vary depending on the location. Please consult appropriate rules and regulations for current, complete content. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife manages these areas (with the exception of National Wildlife Refuges) and more information can be found on the Oregon Marine Reserves website.
Small recreational fires that are:
You may apply for a special use permit for larger fires.
Fires may be temporarily prohibited due to high fire hazard conditions.
Yes. Metal detecting is generally allowed on the beach. Please please read the metal detecting rules before you head to the beach.
No. Oregon’s beaches are a publicly owned recreational resource. Any commercial activity must be pre-authorized via a special use permit or in some cases an ocean shore alteration permit.
Check out our Whale Watching Spoken Here page for information about the Whale Watch Center and other whale watching sites along the coast.
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has an informative summary of some of the most commonly seen species off the Oregon Coast.
The Oregon Health Authority manages the Oregon Beach Monitoring Program and has lots of information, including beach water quality monitoring FAQs, a "Guide to Water Quality for Oregon Beach Visitors" and information about water quality advisories on their website.
Camping on Oregon’s ocean beaches is allowed in many areas, but please be aware of the tides and camp above the high tide line. Note: Overnight parking is not allowed in state park day-use areas or waysides.
Camping is prohibited in the following areas:
Opportunity abounds! Learn more about crabbing and clamming and fishing including how to obtain a shellfish and/or fishing license from Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). Be sure to check the ODA website for information about shellfish safety and the shellfish information hotline (1-800-448-2474) before collecting!
Small quantities of driftwood, shells, agates and other non-living natural products may be taken off the ocean shore as a souvenir for non-commercial, personal use. Details for different types of products may be found in the recreation rules for the ocean shore (OAR 736-021-0090).
Respect the life here and the precious value it has for all Oregonians: follow proper tidepool etiquette when exploring some of the Ocean Shores’ more sensitive habitats.
Yes, recreational prospecting with non-motorized/hand-operated equipment (e.g., a gold pan) is generally allowed on the beach. The rules (see Division 21) include restrictions on quantities and types of equipment. Please return the beach to its original condition.
In some cases, yes. Oregon’s beaches were originally designated as a “public highway” in 1913 which set the stage for the more well-known “beach bill” which followed years later. While the beach is now a state recreation area, driving is allowed in some places. Official Oregon State Highway Maps can be obtained from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) that depict those areas where driving is allowed. There is also an online map.
Only street-legal vehicles may drive on the beach with the exception of areas designated for off-road vehicles.
ATVs are allowed in designated areas only. ATV operator permits are required.
Operators of vehicles may not disturb wildlife or other natural resources or block access, use, or the safe and uninterrupted passage of others on the ocean shore.
Details can be found in Division 21 and Division 24 rules, searchable here.
Yes. Please see the “Day-Use/Special events” section on this page (below).
No. Fireworks, rockets or any kind of explosives are not allowed on the beach. Commercial firework displays and events must be permitted by the Oregon State Fire Marshall and Oregon State Parks.
Yes! Domestic animals (like dogs and horses) are generally welcome on Oregon’s beaches. However, they must be under direct control (within sight and responsive to commands) and you must remove their waste. If you chose to let them off their leash (they must be on one within state parks), you should have a leash ready in case you’re asked to restrain your pet by a state park employee. Please prevent your animal(s) from harassing wildlife and other visitors to the beach. Check out our "Pets in Parks" brochure for more information and visit our Pawsitive Parks information page.
As you head down to the beach, please check out the access signs as some beaches may require leashes for safety reasons.
Note: There are addtional restrictions on dogs in Western Snowy Plover habitat areas. Check out the following maps to see dog-related rules for the south and north coast plover management areas.
Harbor seal pups are often found on the beach. Usually, they are not stranded and should not be disturbed. They are resting while their mothers are off looking for food
The Oregon Marine Mammal Stranding Network (OMMSN), which responds to stranded and injured marine mammals, notes that "adult female seals are shy and a mother is unlikely to rejoin a pup if there is activity nearby. She may only return to suckle her pup at night when people are not around. It is very important not to interfere with this process, and especially not to move a pup from where it is receiving care from its mother. Within 3-4 weeks of birth, harbor seal pups are weaned from maternal care and are left to fend for themselves. While learning to find and catch its own food, a young seal may come ashore frequently to rest. This is often a very challenging stage of life, and not all pups survive. But while it may be tempting to 'take them in,' their best chance for survival is to be left alone on the beach."
If you are concerned about the welfare of a seal pup or any other marine mammal you encounter, report it to the 24-hour Oregon State Police hotline at 800-452-7888. Please describe the situation and location of the animal so the OMMSN can follow up on your concerns.
Check out the OMMSN stranding "do's and don'ts."
Check out the OMMSN stranding "do's and don'ts."
If you are concerned about the welfare of a marine mammal you encounter, report it to the 24-hour Oregon State Police hotline at 800-452-7888. Please describe the situation and location of the animal so the Oregon Marine Mammal Stranding Network (OMMSN) can follow up on your concerns.
Please visit our plover page, which includes a FAQ document.
Check out our Oregon Tidepools website for information about tidepooling, including the answer to this question and much more.
It depends. Call the Coastal Region Office at (541) 563-8500 to discuss your plans and possible permits, fees or insurance requirements. Events on the beach are first-come, first-served. Depending on the event, you may need a special use permit for non-traditional activities. A non-traditional activity is an activity, gathering or use of park properties, ocean shore or other recreational area that is not defined in park area rules and regulations. Events with permits take precedence over non-permitted events.
Some examples of events that require a permit are:
Two pieces of landmark legislation preserve Oregon's beaches for public use. Governor Oswald West championed use of the shore as a public highway, signing legislation on Feb. 13, 1913, proclaiming:
“The shore of the Pacific Ocean, between ordinary high tide and extreme low tide, and from the Columbia River on the north to the Oregon and California State line on the south, is hereby declared a public highway and shall forever remain open as such to the public.”
In 1947, after a surge of construction created inland roads and highways, the legislature changed the "public highway" designation to a "recreation area."
House Bill 1601 was introduced to the legislature in 1967 after challenges threatened the public's access to the dry sand portion of the beach. The legislation became known as the "Beach Bill" and then Governor Tom McCall strongly supported its passage. The bill was contentious, pitting the property rights of landowners against the public's rights to access and enjoy the beach. The bill passed, which gave the public a recreation easement to use the dry sand up to the vegetation line.
The Beach Bill also directed the ocean shore be administered as a state recreation area. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department has the responsibility to protect and preserve the ocean shore's recreation, scenic and natural resources.
Protecting Oregon Beaches web exhibit
The Beach Bill -- Oregon Public Broadcasting video