Guide to Oswald West State Park – Hikes, Camping, & More!

How to Get to Oswald West State Park

First things first – how do you get to Oswald West State Park?

Oswald West is located less than 10 miles south of Cannon Beach – so it’s perfect for a day trip, or if you want to spend a few days exploring the hiking trails!

If you’re flying for your adventure at Oswald West State Park, you’ll fly into the Portland International Airport (PDX).

Whether you fly first or drive here, you will need a car to get to Oswald west State Park. For rentals, I recommend booking ahead of time – you can use Discover Cars or Rental Cars.

Another option is to rent a tiny home on wheels. With a camper van, you get a vehicle and a place to sleep, all in one! This is my favorite way to travel, and you can rent a fully decked out van with Escape Campervans.

The route is easy – from Portland, head west on Highway 26 until you reach the coast, where you’ll turn onto Route 101. You’ll pass Cannon Beach, and most visitors to the Oregon Coast make a stop here – so get out for a few photos of the iconic haystack rock, then continue on just a few miles, and you’ll be at the park. 

The Best Time to Visit Oswald West State Park

The most popular time to visit Oswald West State Park is summer. The Oregon coast is notoriously rainy, and summer offers a break from the gloomy skies (sometimes). The weather is warm and sunny, and great for hiking!

However, I think the best time to hike and explore at Oswald West State Park is fall. In September and October, there are fewer people out and about, so you’re likely to get the views to yourself! The temperatures are still moderate (in the 50s), so just bring a rain jacket and be prepared for muddy trails. 

The Best Hikes at Oswald West State Park

There are miles of hiking trails at Oswald West State Park – but to help narrow down your options, here are my favorite trails!

Short Sands Beach

Short Sands Beach is one of the best surfing beaches on the Oregon coast – so whether you want to jump in and ride the waves, or just enjoy the scenery, this is a great place to go. The hike is paved and easy, so it’s perfect for stretching your legs – low effort, with an incredibly scenic payoff!

The cove is enveloped by stunning limestone cliffs and rocky formations, and there’s even a waterfall on the beach.

Distance: 1.2 mi roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 82 feet
Difficulty: Easy

Cape Falcon

The Cape Falcon trail is breathtaking the entire way. It climbs steadily through old growth forest, with lush ferns and mossy trees all around, until it opens up to a view of Short Sands Beach below. Continue hiking, and you’ll end up at a breathtaking vista with views of the ocean!

Length: 4.6 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 623 feet
Difficulty: moderate

elk Flats

The Elk Flats trail is short, and incredibly scenic! You’ll find view of Devil’s Cauldron – where the waves beat against the steep cliff, creating a swirling pool of ocean foam, as well as a sweeping view of the ocean where you can stand on top of a cliff for a magical experience.

Length: 2.9 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 616 feet
Difficulty: moderate

Camping Near Oswald West State Park

You can camp near Oswald West State Park and spend several days exploring the trails! Here are my favorite ways to find campsites.

For a unique place to stay during your trip, check out Hipcamp! It’s like Airbnb for campsites – and you can find yurts (like this one close to the Oregon Coast), cabins, glamping sites, and more.  There are several cute cabins to stay in near Oswald West Park, adding a fun experience to your trip, and a great place to relax after a hike! You can even get $10 off your first booking here!

To find free camping near Oswald West State Park, I recommend using The Dyrt. It’s my favorite way to find places to stay, and you’ll find all sorts of campgrounds nearby!

Best Places to Stay Near Oswald West State Park

If you don’t feel like camping, there are plenty of other options for places to stay near Oswald West State Park!

Close to the park, you’ll find the town of Cannon Beach – with incredible getaways and places to stay for a relaxing trip! Here are a few of the best places to stay.

• Tolovana Inn – a beachfront inn with an indoor saltwater pool, hot tub, and sauna!
• Webb’s Scenic Surf – just steps from the beach and the iconic Haystack Rock
• Puffin Place Cabana – a fully outfitted vacation home for a private stay right on the water

Equally close, but to the south, is Manzanita, Oregon – a smaller town, offering some quiet, beachfront accommodations! Here are the best places to stay in Manzanita.

• Cabin on the Coast – a cute, private cabin with a balcony
• Edgecliff – mountain views, ocean views, and a hot tub! Just 1.5 miles from Short Sands Beach.
• Cottage by the Sea – an adorable, private cottage just a few steps from the ocean

Things to Bring to Oswald West State Park

To help you pack for your trip to Oswald West State Park, here are some things to bring with you! To see all of my favorite gear picks, you can check out my Rockporch.

What to Wear to Oswald West State Park

• Sun Shirt – this is my favorite thing to wear on hikes, as it provides sun protection while keeping you cool. I like the Mountain Hardware Crater Lake Hoodie, and the REI Sahara Shade Hoodie.
• Hiking Pants – I love the REI Trailmade Shorts and usually hike in them, but if you’re hiking in the cold, I recommend the Trailmade Pants.
• Layers – it can definitely get chilly, so a lightweight windbreaker or a fleece is a good idea. For cold weather hikes, a down jacket will keep you warm. Rain is also really common here, so make sure to bring a rain jacket.
• Hiking Shoes – I prefer hiking in sandals and usually hike in my Chacos, but boots are a good idea if you need more ankle support. I love my Danner boots!
• Socks – I love the Darn Tough socks whether I’m wearing sandals or boots. They’re wool, so they stay warm even when wet, and have some padding that’s extra comfy for long days on the trail!

What to Bring to Hike at Oswald West State Park

• Backpack – you’ll need a backpack for water and snacks. I use a Gregory Nano 18 Hydration Pack for day hikes.
• Water – water is a must, always – and bring more than you think you need. The Gregory backpack comes with a 3L reservoir, which I usually bring, along with a Nalgene water bottle that I put electrolytes in.
• Sunscreen – no matter the time of year, make sure to protect yourself from the sun.
• Headlamp – if you want to get an early start, or stay to watch the sunset, make sure to bring a headlamp. It’s also a good idea to always bring one just in case!
• Trekking Poles – hiking with poles can help with stability, and can be especially helpful if you have knee pain going downhill.

Bonus Tip: A lot of these links are for my favorite place to buy outdoor gear – Backcountry. If you install the free Lolli extension on your browser, you can earn free Bitcoin when you shop online at certain retailers, including Backcountry. You can transfer it to a crypto wallet, or just cash out to your bank account.

More Adventures Near Oswald West State Park

For more adventures, check out these posts:

• The Best Hikes on the Oregon Coast
• The Best Hikes Near Cannon Beach
• Secluded Beaches on the Oregon Coast
• Oregon Coast Road Trip Itineraries

Have you been to Oswald State Park, or are you planning a trip? Let me know if you have recommendations or questions  in the comments below!

pin any of these photos to reference this oswald west state park guide later!