Hikes, and Capes, and State Parks, Oh My! Oregon’s Tillamook Coast abounds with these things. At times, it can be hard to keep them all straight. However, one spot has rather impressively culled some of the best of these recreational attributes into one location – Cape Lookout State Park.
For outdoor lovers, Cape Lookout State Park is without a doubt one of the crown jewels of Tillamook County. The park is a well-known haven for camping, fishing, beach strolling, and even hang gliding. It is also home to miles of hiking trails that extend along the beach as well as a short jaunt through the forest. But the headliner of this show is the hike that stretches the length of the cape itself, reaching two miles out into the Pacific Ocean. During spring and fall, migrating gray whales make their way up and down the Oregon Coast. There are many places to take catch a glimpse of the majestic creatures as they come up for air, occasionally breaching the ocean surface. But because the cape affords an unencumbered view two miles from the shore, one could argue that Cape Lookout is the best spot on the coast for observing the whales’ annual pilgrimage.
Whale watching aside, the five-mile out-and-back hike to the end of the cape is one of the most scenic on the Oregon coast. From the Cape Lookout Trailhead, the path meanders through some of the best old-growth forest in Tillamook County. Stately Sitka Spruce guard the path on either side, adorned with thick moss. The ancient forest understory is lush, complemented by countless primeval ferns. It can be a muddy track in spots, so be sure to gear up appropriately. That being said, there are boardwalks in place over the sloppier sections.
WWII Historic Site
Within half of a mile on the trail, hikers pass above the site of a 1943 B-17-bomber crash, which is now commemorated by a plaque. Though word around the campfire is that remains from the wreckage are still down there somewhere, the brush here is pretty thick and the penalty for a fall here would be rather severe. So observe the plaque, offer some quiet reflection, and move on.
After hiking through dense forest for nearly two miles, the fi nal stretch of the path exits the canopy and skirts along dramatic cliff-edge viewpoints each seemingly better than the last. Please note that some of these drop-offs are real day wreckers. If you have dogs or little ones, please ensure they are leashed or tended to appropriately.
The trail ends at a benched viewpoint on the tip of the cape. This is a great place for a snack or a lunch break. Keep the binoculars close, as in addition to the whales a wide array of
wildlife inhabit the area. When you’re good and ready, head back the way you came.
Cape Lookout State Park has a $5 day use fee. Check the website for camping rates as they vary depending on the style of camping you’ll be enjoying, from tents and RVs to yurts and cabins. To get there from the town of Tillamook (at the junction of highways 6 and 101), head west on Highway 131, following signs for Cape Lookout. 4.8 miles later hang a slight left onto Whiskey Creek Road, again, following signs for the State Park. 5.2 miles later, the entrance to the State Park will be on your right. The Cape Lookout Trailhead is 2.7 miles past the main park entrance. (article written by Adam Sawyer, an outdoor and travel writer, photographer, and published guidebook author based out of Portland, Oregon.)
For more information on Cape Lookout, go to tillamookcoast.com and oregonstateparks.org.
