Oswald West State Park (or simply Oswald Park Oregon) is a rugged and memorable part of the Oregon Coast, showcasing lush old growth forest, impressive rocky cliffs, fantastic hiking trails, and a spacious beach, called Short Sands Beach Oregon.
We love Oswald West State Park and have explored much of what it has to offer. As hikers and surfers, we find Oswald West to be akin to a natural playground. In fact, Oswald West State, also referred to as Short Sands Oregon, is one of our favorite places in all of Oregon.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about visiting Oswald West State Park, including hiking opportunities, where to stay and eat nearby, and other tips on how to make the most of your visit.
Oswald West State Park Oregon Overview
Oswald West State Park (also called Oswald State Park Oregon) is 2,800 acre natural wonder, filled with towering pine trees, rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and clean creeks.
An undeveloped natural playground, Oswald West Oregon is one of the most special parts of the Oregon Coast and is certainly worth the visit.
This fantastic state park is located on the Northern Oregon Coast, about 85 miles (1.5 hours) from Portland (which makes for a great day trip).
Oswald West offers rich recreation opportunities, including a variety of hiking trails, surfing, or just hanging out on the beach (which is named Short Sands Beach Oregon).
We have explored much of the Oregon Coast, and Oswald West is one of our favorite parts. There is something magical about the undeveloped natural beauty that lets the true colors of the area shine through.
Neahkahnie Viewpoint is one of the best vistas on all of the Oregon Coast is just south of Oswald West, right off of the highway.
Oswald West State Park Oregon Map
Use the interactive map below get your bearings. You can also expand to view it in a full window.
Our Tips to Oswald West State Park
- Plan to hike about half a mile from the parking lot to the beach.
- There are three large parking lots that are normally open, but can fill up on summer weekends.
- If visiting on a summer weekend with good weather, plan to arrive before 10 am or after 1 pm for the best chance at a parking spot, else risk parking a ways down the road.
- There are bathrooms at the parking lot.
- Dogs are allowed but leashes are required.
- Don’t forget to check out Neahkahnie Viewpoint, which is just south of the park, right on the side of the highway.
- The Cape Falcon Trail is a moderate, 4.5 mile hike that showcases beautiful views.
- The Elk Flats Trail is another great moderate hike with more views.
Short Sands Beach Oregon
Short Sands is the name of the beach at Oswald West State Park. In fact, it is the only actual beach at the park because the remaining areas of the coastline are rocky cliffs.
In addition, Short Sands Beach Oregon is protected by capes from the north (Cape Falcon) and south (Neahkahnie Mountain) which gives it a protected feel, which seems to help block the wind.
On a sunny day, Short Sands Beach is an incredible place to throw down a towel and enjoy a day on the sand. During more foul weather, you can still enjoy the vibes of this untamed natural wilderness (and there will be less crowds).
Hiking Oswald West State Park Oregon
There are a variety of hiking trails at Oswald West. In fact, hiking Oswald West State Park is exciting and memorable!
There are several variations of easy trails, which all go about half a mile from one of the three parking lots. One of the fun parts about exploring Oswald Oregon is discovering these beautiful trails.
There are two main moderate hikes. The first, called the Cape Falcon Trail, stays along the north coastline of the park, and is overgrown and often muddy, but also quite beautiful.
The second moderate hike, called the Elk Flats Trail, goes south towards Neahkahnie Mountain and is generally more open and less forested.
The ambitious hikers may ascend the 10 miles from the parking lot to the summit of Neahkahnie mountain, which is a steep and overgrown trail. Those who are victorious will be presented with some of the best views on the entire West coast.
Oswald West State Park Surfing
Surfing at Oswald West State Park is incredible. As big surfers ourselves, we think Oswald West (also called Short Sands) is one of the best places in Oregon to surf.
We love the immersive undeveloped beach that is protected from both north and south, which reduces winds and improves the surf conditions.
The conditions are suitable for surfing during much of the spring, summer, and fall. In general, surfing in Oregon is best for beginners during the summer when the swells are small and the weather is mild.
Come fall, some bigger storms generate larger swells which are enjoyed by more ambitious surfers. Oswald Beach Oregon is a great place to catch some waves and a favorite of many.
If you have yet to try surfing, we urge you to give it a few goes. It is one of the most enjoyable outdoor activities and we are lucky to have such great Oregon surf spots. We recommend you take a lesson, which you can do in Cannon Beach.
Camping Near Short Sands Beach Oregon
There are several places to camp near Oswald West State Park. The closest is Nehalem Bay State Park, which is about 10 minutes south of Oswald and right next to the town of Manzanita.
Nehalem Bay State Park is a large campground directly next to the beach. There are miles of open beach and large sand dunes to explore. We always stay at Nehalem Bay campground when we visit Oswald West and go surfing.
Conclusion
We hope you found our guide to Oswald West State Park helpful. As one of our favorite places in Oregon, we hope you enjoy Oswald West as much as we do. To help preserve this natural area, be sure to leave no trace and stay on trails to avoid contributing to erosion.
To learn more about Oswald West and Short Sands Beach, check out the official Oregon State Park Oswald West page.
If you’re interested in learning more, check out our other articles about the Oregon Coast, including our guide to the best beaches near Portland.
