CAPE LOOKOUT STATE PARK
A popular campground and day-use area, Cape Lookout is located on a sand spit between Netarts Bay and the ocean, giving you a terrific view of the ocean with easy access to the beach. Beachcombing is popular here, and the park is reputedly a good place to find glass floats. More than eight miles of hiking and walking trails wind through a lush old-growth forest. The Cape Lookout trail follows the headland for more than 2 miles. A bench is located at the end of the trail. Enjoy the view! You might see a whale or two along with other wildlife.
Park Overview (pdf)European explorers arrived in the late 18th century, with Captain Robert Gray being one of the first recorded visitors to Cape Lookout. In subsequent decades, fur traders and settlers began venturing into these lands as they sought new opportunities along the Pacific Northwest coastline.
During World War II, Cape Lookout became an important site for military defense due to its strategic location overlooking both land and sea. A radar station was established atop Cape Lookout itself while soldiers patrolled nearby beaches searching for potential enemy activity.
After the war ended, interest grew in preserving this stunning coastal landscape from development pressures. Efforts were made by local communities and conservationists alike to protect it as public land accessible to all who wished to enjoy its splendor.
Day-UseSwimming Beachyes
CampingPrimitiveyes
Electric Sitesyes
Water/Electric Sitesyes
Full Hookup Sitesyes
1. Tent Camping: Cape Lookout State Park offers more than 200 mixed-used campsites for tents, including both reservable and first-come-first-served sites.
2. RV Camping: The park also has full-hookup sites that can accommodate recreational vehicles up to 60 feet in length.
3. Yurts & Cabins: For those who prefer a bit of comfort while camping, the park features deluxe cabins with bathrooms and kitchenettes as well as yurt rentals which are round tent-like structures equipped with beds, heat source etc., providing an alternative to traditional camping experience.
4. Group Campsites: There is one group campsite available at Cape Lookout State Park suitable for larger gatherings or events like family reunions or scout trips
5. Hiker/Biker Camps - These special areas provide basic amenities (like showers) specifically designed for individuals traveling by foot/bike along Oregon's scenic trails.
6. Beachside Camping - You may set your tent right on the beach but be aware of tides!
Camping (pdf)
1. Cape Lookout State Park offers beach swimming in the Pacific Ocean.
2. The park does not have a designated swim area or lifeguards on duty.
3. Swimming is at your own risk due to strong ocean currents and cold water temperatures.
4. Kayaking, paddleboarding, and surfing are popular alternatives to traditional swimming here.
5. Nearby Netarts Bay provides calmer waters for swimmers with warmer summer temperatures than the open sea.
The park, located in Oregon, offers a variety of boating options for visitors. There are boat rentals available including kayaks and canoes which allow you to explore the nearby water bodies at your own pace. For those who prefer guided tours or group activities, there are also chartered fishing trips as well as whale watching excursions that depart from within the park's boundaries. However, it should be noted that while motorized boats are allowed on larger bodies of water surrounding the area; they're prohibited inside some smaller streams and lakes due to environmental protection efforts.
Anglers can enjoy surf fishing for redtail perch and silver salmon. Crabbing is also popular in the nearby Netarts Bay.