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Cannon Beach Visitor's Guide | Camping, Hiking, Where to Stay

Cannon Beach is a small town along the Oregon coast famed for its beautiful beach and awe-inspiring rock formations.


Cannon Beach is Oregon's most popular beach and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state.



What to Expect at Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach is beautiful, but it is also often crowded. Consider visiting in slightly less than optimal weather conditions to beat the summer tourist season. We've seen Cannon Beach in the rain and shine, and it's always memorable. A walk along the shore in the fog is a classic PNW experience.


There is little camping readily available near the beach (especially if you want to camp for free), and you can't camp on the beach. We recommend driving away from the beach to free campsites outside of town.



Directions to Cannon Beach


Cannon Beach Weather

In summer, Cannon Beach maintains highs around the mid-60s and lows in the mid-50s.

In the winter, the beach town has highs in the mid-50s and lows in the low-40s to high 30s.


Summer is, without a doubt, the best time to visit Cannon Beach. But, you may have to fight the crowds for a good spot by the ocean.



A view of Cannon Beach's famous sea stack--Haystack Rock
A view of Cannon Beach's famous sea stack--Haystack Rock



Cannon Beach Hotels and Vacation Rentals

The best Cannon Beach hotels and vacation rentals include:


The Waves Cannon Beach

  • Only one mile from Haystack Rock and 2.5 miles from Ecola State Park

An expensive accommodation option near Cannon Beach with prices around $400 a night. It's a beachfront hotel with an incredible view of the water. Visitors also have access to an outdoor hot tub.



Hallmark Resort Hotel & Spa

  • Very close to Haystack Rock and 3.2 miles from Ecola State Park.

Another expensive option, with prices starting at around $350 a night. This 3-star hotel features suites, cabins, and an indoor pool. Guests can also access a day spa.



Hidden Villa Cottages by Vasca

  • A 2 min, 0.5-mile drive away from Haystack Rock and 2.9 miles from Ecola State Park.

A 3-star hotel with beach access and within walking distance of many sightseeing and dining options.

Looking down at Cannon Beach with Haystack Rock in the distance.
Looking down at Cannon Beach with Haystack Rock in the distance.



Things to Do at Cannon Beach

At Cannon Beach, you can swim, hike, shop, dine, tidepool hunt, bike, fish, surf, and more!


It's very close to Ecola State Park, famed for its beautiful hiking trails and tidepools, as well as several small beach towns. Sunsets from the beach are well worth the minimal effort it takes to see them as well!



This area of the Oregon coast has some of the best surfing in the state and is one of the most popular places to learn to surf in the PNW.


Make sure to visit some of the wonderful shops in town like:

  • Icefire Glassworks

  • The Good Life Shop

  • Sesame & Lilies


The Best Cannon Beach Hikes

Cannon Beach is world-renowned for its gorgeous coastal hikes. Plus, it is located only a mile or two from Ecola State Park, which makes it an ideal stop for beach and tree lovers! Some of the best hikes in Cannon Beach are:



1. Haystack Rock Trail

Haystack Rock on a foggy day
Haystack Rock on a foggy day

The Haystack Rock Trail is a short, popular hike on Cannon Beach that provides incredible views of the unmissable sea stack. It takes 4.3 miles and around 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete the entire hike, but you can cut it short whenever you want!


Elevation Gain

Distance

Time Required

Difficulty

16 feet

​4.3 miles

​1 hr 15 mins

1/10

Haystack Rock Trail Coordinates: 46.028598322264884, -123.9953395463123




2. Ecola Creek Trail

A beautiful and sometimes challenging route that ascends 570 feet over 2.2 miles. It takes hikers through the coastal forest and along Ecola Creek. The trail is sometimes muddy but well-worth strapping on the right shoes and enjoying the journey.

Elevation Gain

Distance

Time Required

Difficulty

​570 feet

4.4 miles

2 hours

​4/10


Ecola Creek Trail Coordinates: 46.005710201088704, -123.97032888163207




3. Crescent Beach Trail from Tillamook Rock

The forest near Cannon Beach
The forest near Cannon Beach

This fairly short trail near Cannon Beach is family and dog-friendly. Some parts of the trail can be muddy and may require scrambling on wet rocks. But it's well-loved among locals and tourists!





Elevation Gain

Distance

Time Required

Difficulty

2.3

538 feet

1 hr 15 mins

3.10

Trailhead Coordinates: 46.005906996648314, -123.98054032966344


4. Bald Point via Indian Beach Trail

This easy, 1.4-mile hike is close to Cannon Beach. Although it's not very long, it's incredibly scenic. Even if you don't make the whole 1.4-mile out-and-back trail, you won't be disappointed.

Elevation Gain

Distance

Time Required

Difficulty

416 feet

1.4 miles

1 hour

2/10


Trailhead Coordinates: 45.9868263824817, -123.98602604340388


Check out our Ecola State Park Visitor's Guide for more hikes in the area!


Cannon Beach Photo Gallery




Places to Eat in Cannon Beach

Some of the many amazing places to eat in Cannon Beach are:



Cannon Beach Camping

There are a few different options if you want to camp at Cannon Beach. They include:


RV Resort at Cannon Beach

An RV camping area that is 0.7 miles from Cannon Beach. It features:

  • 99 hookup sites

  • Well-maintained sites

  • Kid's area

  • Indoor pool



Wright's For Camping

A campsite located 0.5 miles from Cannon Beach. It features:

  • 22 campsites in the shade

  • Firewood available for purchase

  • Tent camping only



Sea Ranch

An RV, tent, and cabin camping location 0.9 miles from the center of Cannon Beach.

  • Easy to access

  • Shaded sites

  • Book online

  • Picnic tables, fire rings, and hot showers


FAQs

How to get to Cannon Beach from Portland without a car?

To get to Cannon Beach from Portland without a car, you can take a bus from the Portland Amtrak Station to Cannon Beach Family Market / Surfside Resort. It takes 1 hour and 55 minutes. There are two buses a day.


How far is Cannon Beach from Portland?

Cannon Beach is 78 miles and 90 minutes from Portland. If you're taking a bus, it's more like two hours.


How far is Cannon Beach from Seaside, Oregon?

Cannon Beach is 9 miles from Seaside, Oregon. It'll take between 10 and 15 minutes to drive from one to the other.


What county is Cannon Beach in?

Cannon Beach is in Caltsop County.


Can you swim at Cannon Beach?

Yes, you can swim at Cannon Beach! It's a popular destination for swimming, surfing, tidepool hunting, and more!


Is Cannon Beach worth visiting?

Yes, it is! It's a beautiful spot along the Oregon coast. If the crowds aren't for you, stop by for a few hours and move down the coast to one of the many gorgeous beaches nearby.



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