Oregon's Stunning Coastal Destination Offers Serene Views And Hiking Trails

Peering down from the top of Cascade Head on the Oregon coast, you might feel like you're on top of the world. There are few other places where a prairie, a forest, an estuary, a spit, and a marine reserve come together, let alone one where you can explore for free and take in sweeping views of the Pacific and the Salmon River on a clear day. Located just a few miles north of Lincoln City, Cascade Head is a truly unique outdoor destination for hikers and nature lovers; it's gained recognition as a National Scenic Research Area and a United Nations Biosphere Reserve, where visitors can see research and science at work, and serves as a last bastion of protection for many endangered plants, insects, and animals that once thrived on the Oregon coast. 

Cascade Head is an example of grassroots, state, and federal government efforts coming together to protect the environment. In the 1960s, local volunteers rallied to raise funds to protect Cascade Head and keep it wild, then donated the land to The Nature Conservancy. The organization still owns the 270-acre Cascade Head Nature Preserve today, leaving it accessible to the public for hiking, as well as for scientific research. Later, in 1976, the entire 102,110-acre Cascade Head Biosphere Region was designated as a UNESCO site for research, and is now managed by a variety of state and federal agencies, in addition to The Nature Conservancy. The main jumping-off point for exploring Cascade Head is at Knight Park, where you'll find a free parking lot, restroom, and a boat ramp.

The Nature Conservancy's preserve at Cascade Head has two day-hiking trails leading to incredible views of the Oregon coast and a bird's-eye view of the Cascade Head Marine Reserve. While the upper trailhead is closed off as of this writing due to a landslide, the roughly 5-mile-long out-and-back lower trail takes you over 1,200 feet up, crossing over bridges and through Sitka spruce forests to a rare headland meadow and jaw-dropping views of the craggy shoreline. Looking south, you'll spot God's Thumb via the Knoll, another scenic trail along the Oregon coast. For a picture-perfect view, hike around sunset, but be sure to bring a lamp and walking stick, and watch your step on the way down. During your trek, you'll likely spot game trails used by deer, coyotes, elk, cougars, and bears. Please stay on the marked paths to minimize your impact on the area, and note that pets and drones are not allowed.

The 7-mile-long coast, housing the state-managed Cascade Head Oregon Marine Reserve, is a treat for divers, wildlife watchers, and sea kayakers. One of the primary access points is along the Salmon River at Knight Park. While you can relax and paddle on the calm Salmon River, be ready for a rush as you head toward the Pacific, where you'll find some of Oregon's longest sea caves along Cascade Head a few miles north, and you may see some of the coast's majestic wildlife, including otters, seals, and swooping eagles. If you do plan to get on the water, be sure to have a permit for your watercraft.

The weather on the Oregon coast is normally mild (rarely below freezing or over 75 degrees Fahrenheit), though notoriously fickle; the best conditions are usually between spring and fall. Hikers should still be prepared for rain (and slippery trails), and paddlers are recommended to wear a wetsuit. Before heading out on your hike or paddle trip, bring all of the food and water you'll need for the day, and be sure to pack out everything that you brought (and do your part by bringing a trash bag to pick up any stray litter you find). Visitors who want to explore the Cascade Head Biosphere with a naturalist can join a one-and-a-half-hour tour from Knight Park on Saturdays throughout the summer. No reservations are needed to attend.

Once you've finished your adventure at Cascade Head, you'll likely be ready for a hot meal. In nearby Lincoln City, you'll find a wide range of cuisines, including seafood, Mexican, Thai, and classic American pizza. You'll also find many options for hotels if you're staying in the area, including major chain hotels and boutique inns with ocean views. Camping is not an option at Cascade Head, though it is allowed at Devil's Lake State Recreation Area in town.

Visitors coming from out of state will likely fly into Portland International Airport, one of the most efficient airports in the country. From Stumptown, it's about two hours through the scenic Willamette Valley to Knight Park. Travelers who are looking for views of whales shouldn't miss heading 20 miles south to Depoe Bay, a unique and remote city on the Oregon coast.