Whether you want to hike, picnic on a bluff overlooking Terrible Tilly or spot bald eagles, Ecola State Park is a must-visit. Perched on the north end of Cannon Beach, the park teems with wildlife and offers visitors rewarding day hikes and vistas. William Clark called the views here “the grandest and most pleasing prospects which my eyes ever surveyed,” and we couldn’t agree more. Ecola State Park Fit for the Big Screen The park’s beauty is so otherworldly that several films, including “Twilight" and “The Goonies,” have been filmed here. In real life, Ecola State Park is even more magical. The 1,023-acre park wraps around Tillamook Head with hiking trails, picnic areas, and great birding and whale watching. Bald eagles soar overhead. Roosevelt elk graze in the park’s shady meadows. (These are wild animals — never approach them, and keep dogs on a leash.) Most activities begin at Ecola Point or Indian Beach. Views of Terrible Tilly Ecola Point overlooks Crescent Beach, Haystack Rock and miles of forested headlands. Paved trails and a picnic area offer views of Tillamook Rock Lighthouse on a basalt rock a mile offshore. The lighthouse got its nickname because of the dangerous commute that its keepers took to reach it. Today it’s a sunbathing hot spot for sea lions. Enjoy a Day at the Beach Indian Beach, on the park’s northern- most beach, sits at the base of Tillamook Head’s southern slope. During low tide, walk along the sand and take in the craggy sea stacks and wetsuit-clad surfers. Bring a picnic and relax on the beach, or lace up and go for a hike. Take a Hike on a Historic Trail Both Ecola Point and Indian Beach offer day hikes. An 8-mile segment of the Oregon Coast Trail (OCT), designated as part of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, forms the park’s backbone. For a quick hike, follow the OCT south from Ecola Point along a steep, 1.25-mile descent to Crescent Beach, a secluded hideaway with caves and a waterfall. You can also follow the OCT north on the restored 4.7-mile Ecola Point to Indian Beach Trail. From the Indian Beach parking lot, the family-friendly, 2.5-mile Clatsop Loop Trail traces the route used by an expedition party from Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery in 1806. It climbs through an old-growth Sitka spruce forest to Hikers’ Camp, and a short spur leads to jaw-dropping views of Tillamook Rock Lighthouse. Prepared hikers can continue on the Tillamook Head Trail for an additional 4 miles to the north trailhead in Seaside. (Arrange a shuttle if you’re hiking one-way.) The offshore rocks are nesting sites for many species of seabirds. Sea lions and harbor seals also give birth to their pups on some of the same rocky islands. The higher vantage points make for great whale watching between late March and June and from mid-December to mid-January. Visiting midweek is best to avoid crowds. Stay on designated trails and wear appropriate footwear and clothes (it’s muddy even in summer). Don’t forget water and snacks, and pack out what you pack in, including pet waste. Purchase a $5 day-use permit at the park or use your Oregon State Park pass. The road is narrow with no place to turn around, so RVs and trailers beware; additionally, there’s no overnight parking. Please check the Ecola State Park website for road closures. Visit StateParks.Oregon.gov for more information. NICKIE BOURNIAS Oregon Film Trail sign at Ecola State Park 10 Cannon Beach Visitor Guide
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