Ecola State Park Oregon USA, home of the beautiful Indian Beach, is a state park near Cannon Beach Oregon.
Ecola State Park is a rugged section of the Oregon Coast with impressive viewpoints, immersive hikes, and a welcoming beach.
A popular beach near Portland Oregon, Ecola is both a great day trip and part of a multi-day Oregon Coast trip.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Ecola State Park Oregon Coast, including viewpoints, hikes, beaches, and other planning tips.
We love visiting Ecola and are excited to share our tips with you. So, pack your beach towel and sense of adventure and let’s explore Ecola State Park Oregon.
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Ecola State Park Cannon Beach Oregon: Overview
Ecola State Park Oregon (often shortened to Ecola Oregon or Ecola Park Oregon) is a protected and undeveloped natural area directly north of Cannon Beach Oregon.
Things to do at Ecola State Park Oregon
This epic park has a lot to offer. The table below shows the main things to do at Ecola State Park Oregon.
| Ecola State Park Activity | Description |
| Hang out at Indian Beach | Enjoy a beach day at an accessible, undeveloped, and beautiful sandy beach. |
| Soak in the views from Ecola Point | Take in the no-hike views from one of the best viewpoints on the Oregon Coast. |
| Go hiking | Stretch your legs on one of various hiking trails suitable for all levels. |
| Surf at Indian Beach | Test your surfing skills at one of the best beaches for surfing in Oregon. |
| Explore Crescent Beach | Often overlooked, this is a lesser known but great beach to check out. |
We’ll go into more detail about each of these activities in more detail later in this article.
However you enjoy Ecola State Park, you are sure to come away with excellent memories and you’ll want to go back soon!
In our opinion, you can spend anywhere from 30 minutes to multiple days at Ecola State Park.
Ecola State Park Oregon Map
Use this interactive map of Ecola State Park to get your bearings for Ecola Oregon. You can also expand it to view in a full window.
How to Get to Ecola State Park Oregon
Ecola State Park is located on the northern part of the Oregon Coast, in between Seaside and Cannon Beach.
To get there, turn off of Highway 101 just north of Cannon Beach. Then take a right onto 5th Street and another right onto Ecola State Park Road.
Be aware: After you enter the park, the road becomes narrow, windy, and steep in some sections. That said, it is mostly paved and doable for almost all vehicles.
The table below shows typical drive times to Ecola State Park from various starting points.
| Starting Location | Distance to Ecola State Park | Typical Drive Time |
| Cannon Beach | 3 miles | 10 minutes |
| Portland | 80 miles | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Salem | 110 miles | 2 hours 15 minutes |
| Seattle, WA | 210 miles | 4 hours 15 minutes |
Things to do at Ecola State Park Oregon
Ecola State Park is a natural playground for beachgoers, hikers, surfers, and anyone who likes great views. These are the best things to do at Ecola State Park.
Soak in the Views at Ecola Point Oregon
One of the main draws of Ecola State Park is the main viewpoint called Ecola Point or Ecola State Park Viewpoint.
This viewpoint is as beautiful as it is accessible. In fact, you don’t even need to get out of your car to enjoy it! That said, we recommend you walk around a bit.
Ecola Point provides incredible views to the south of Crescent Beach and Cannon Beach. You can also see the iconic Cannon Beach Haystack Rock.
There is a sizable parking lot, restrooms, and picnic tables (which make for a great lunch spot).
In our opinion, if you visit Ecola State Park, this main viewpoint is must-see. It is at the entrance to the park (turn left when entering) and totally worth the stop.
Explore Indian Beach Oregon
Indian Beach is one of our favorite beaches near Portland and perhaps on the entire Oregon Coast.
This beautiful day-use beach is known for its undeveloped natural beauty. Sandwiched between two rocky outcroppings, Indian Beach is rugged, rocky, and stunning.
The beach itself is less than half a mile long, but there is plenty of space to set up a blanket and find your own spot for the day.
The parking lot is quite close to the beach, and rarely fills up, even on summer weekends. There are pit toilets at the parking lot.
There is a small set of stairs from the parking lot to the beach, but nothing you can’t lug a cooler down. It is so fun to bring a blanket and set up a spot for the day at Indian Beach.
Our tip: Check out the rocks at the south end of Indian Beach. Of course, be careful of waves and incoming tides.
Be aware: the road to access Indian Beach is windy and narrow and not recommended for larger vehicles.
The road is paved except for a few troublesome gravel sections, but nothing to be worried about with a normal car. Just take it slow around the tight corners.
Ecola State Park Hiking
A main draw of Ecola is the Ecola State Park trails, which allow hikers the opportunity to explore this beautiful undeveloped area of the Oregon Coast.
In this section, we’ll cover the best hikes Ecola State Park has to offer.
Ecola State Park Trail Map
This map shows the hikes in Ecola State Park. You can also view the source Ecola State Park Trail Map directly.
Ecola State Park Trails
There are several trails in Ecola State Park. Each one has something unique to offer.
| Trail | Description |
| Lewis and Clark Discovery Trail | 14 miles out and back. Follows the coastline through the entire park. Park at the north or south end of the park. |
| Clatsop Loop Trail from Indian Beach | 3-mile loop. Goes north from Indian Beach. Mostly forested with great viewpoints along the way. |
| Indian Beach Trail Oregon | 4 miles out and back. Connects Indian Beach with Ecola Point. Park at either side. |
| Crescent Beach Trail from Ecola Point | 2.3 miles out and back. Explores the lesser traveled Crescent Beach. Starts at Ecola Point. |
Our take: If you only have time for one hike in Ecola State Park, we recommend doing the Indian Beach Trail. You get to see a lot of the best parts of the park, and you can start from Indian Beach or Ecola Point.
Be aware: A lot of the trails at Ecola State Park do get muddy, especially during winter. So, bring some sturdy hiking shoes. We also recommend reliable hiking poles to make the most of hiking Ecola State Park trails.
Ecola State Park Surfing
Surfing is a popular activity on the Oregon Coast, even if just the thought of that cold water makes you shiver.
Many people enjoy surfing in Oregon. In fact, Ecola is one of our favorite places to surf in Oregon.
Protected from northern winds and swells, Ecola State Park a popular surf spot on the Oregon Coast.
If you have never surfed, we urge you to try! It is truly so much fun and super rewarding, albeit challenging as well.
If you are new to surfing, we recommend you take lessons at one of several surf shops in Cannon Beach. You can also rent surf gear there as well.
Planning a Visit to Ecola State Park
The Oregon Coast is often rainy and windy during the winter as well as much of spring and fall. However, the summer offers more decent weather, though fog, rain, and wind is still common.
The best time to visit Cannon Beach Ecola State Park is summer for most people. The weather is nice, the sand is warm, and overall, the ambiance is quite pleasant, even if it is a cloudy day. In fact, the cooler temperatures are a respite from the heat of the summer in other parts of Oregon.
That said, don’t rule out winter. There are some nicer days without rain and you might even get some sun! Also, there are much less crowds during winter.
Where to stay to Visit Ecola State Park
There are many hotels and resorts to stay at in Cannon Beach, just minutes from Ecola State Park.
Alternatively, you can stay in Seaside, just north of Ecola State Park. Both Seaside and Cannon Beach are touristy beach towns, and fun to explore.
You can also get vacation home rentals in both Seaside and Cannon Beach, which can be a better option for larger groups and families.
Conclusion
Ecola State Park Oregon is definitely worth a visit if you want to explore a rugged section of the Oregon Coast, gaze at the beautiful views of undeveloped coastline, explore fun Ecola State Park trails, surf the ocean waves, or just relax on Indian Beach.
To learn more about Ecola Oregon, check out the official state parks webpage.
Hopefully you found this guide to Ecola State Park helpful in planning your visit. We love Ecola State Park and the home you do as well. As always, leave no trace of your visit and help preserve this special place for future visitors.
You may be interested in learning more in our other articles about the Oregon Coast, including other great beaches near Portland. If you have time, consider visiting Oswald West State Park, just 15 minutes south of Ecola State Park.
