Neskowin Beach

Neskowin Beach State Recreation Site protects a scenic stretch of sandy beach and the famous Proposal Rock sea stack along Oregon's northern coast. This small state park provides beach access for the community of Neskowin and visiting recreationalists seeking swimming, surfing, tide pooling, and beachcombing opportunities. The site is best known for the ghost forest that becomes visible during extreme low tides, where ancient Sitka spruce stumps protrude from the sand, remnants of a 2,000-year-old forest buried by a tsunami. The park offers spectacular views of Cascade Head to the north and Proposal Rock offshore.

The beach and nearshore waters support diverse wildlife including harbor seals, California sea lions, and gray whales during migration seasons from December through May. Shorebirds such as sanderlings, western snipes, and various sandpiper species forage along the tide line, while brown pelicans and cormorants fish in nearshore waters. The tide pools at Proposal Rock reveal sea stars, anemones, hermit crabs, and other intertidal organisms. Terrestrial wildlife includes black-tailed deer, raccoons, and various songbirds in adjacent forested areas. During low tides, razor clams can be harvested from the sandy beach, attracting both wildlife and human clamming enthusiasts.

Coastal vegetation includes native dunegrass, beach strawberry, and seaside plantain growing above the high tide line, with shore pine and Sitka spruce forests backing the beach. The ghost forest stumps visible at extreme low tides are remnants of ancient Sitka spruce and western red cedar that grew when sea level was lower and the coastline configuration was different. Invasive European beachgrass has colonized much of the upper beach, displacing native dunegrass and altering dune formation processes. Salt spray and wind limit vegetation growth near the beach, while more diverse plant communities develop in protected areas. Seaweed species including bull kelp, rockweed, and sea lettuce wash ashore following storms.

The ghost forest exposed during extreme low tides provides evidence of sudden coastal subsidence that occurred approximately 2,000 years ago during a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake, followed by tsunami inundation that buried the forest in sand. Proposal Rock is a basaltic sea stack that was once connected to the mainland but has been isolated by erosion, with additional sea stacks visible offshore. The sandy beach consists of sediments eroded from coastal headlands and delivered by Neskowin Creek and longshore currents. Episodic erosion during winter storms can remove several feet of sand from the beach, exposing the buried forest, while summer months typically see sand accumulation. The geology records the dynamic and sometimes catastrophic processes that shape Oregon's coast.

The area experiences a maritime climate with mild, wet winters and cool, relatively dry summers moderated by the Pacific Ocean. Annual precipitation averages 80-90 inches, mostly falling from October through May during Pacific storm systems. Winter temperatures rarely drop below freezing, while summer highs typically remain in the 60s due to ocean influence and frequent marine air incursion. Fog is common during summer mornings, often burning off by afternoon, while winter brings dramatic storm systems with high winds and heavy surf. The orientation of the beach provides some shelter from prevailing southwesterly winds, making Neskowin relatively protected compared to more exposed headlands.

The Nestucca and Tillamook peoples inhabited the area for thousands of years, harvesting marine resources including salmon, shellfish, and sea mammals. The buried forest that becomes visible at low tides is evidence of the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami that struck the coast around 300 CE, events recorded in Native oral histories. European settlement began in the late 1800s, with Neskowin developing as a small resort community accessed by difficult wagon roads through coastal forests. The name Neskowin derives from a Native word meaning "plenty of fish." Highway 101 construction in the 1920s and 1930s improved access, allowing Neskowin to grow as a beach destination while maintaining its small village character.

Neskowin Beach State Recreation Site was established to provide public beach access in an area where much of the beachfront was held in private ownership. Oregon State Parks acquired lands through purchase and easements, ensuring that the beach would remain open to the public consistent with Oregon's Beach Bill guaranteeing public access to ocean beaches. The park has been managed with minimal development, providing basic parking and beach access while preserving the natural character of the area. The discovery and documentation of the ghost forest in recent decades has added scientific and educational value to the site. The park serves local residents and visitors seeking a quieter beach experience than more developed areas farther north.

The primary attraction is the sandy beach itself, offering swimming (though water is cold year-round), surfing, beachcombing, and tide pooling opportunities. Proposal Rock, accessible at low tide, features tide pools and offers a challenging scramble to its top with rewarding views. The ghost forest stumps are visible during extreme minus tides, typically occurring a few times each year, creating unique photo opportunities and tangible connection to ancient seismic events. Neskowin Creek flows across the beach to the ocean, creating a shallow area popular with children. The beach extends north and south, allowing long walks with views of Cascade Head's forested slopes to the north.

The park is located along Highway 101 in the village of Neskowin, about 15 miles south of Lincoln City. Parking is available in a small lot at the state recreation site and additional street parking in the village. Facilities are minimal and include restrooms, outdoor showers for rinsing sand, and beach access paths. The community of Neskowin offers vacation rentals, a small market, golf course, and restaurant, but no major commercial development. Day use is free, and the beach is open year-round. Tide tables should be consulted for optimal tide pooling and ghost forest viewing. The relatively undeveloped nature of Neskowin appeals to visitors seeking a quieter coastal experience.

Conservation efforts focus on protecting beach and intertidal ecosystems while accommodating public recreation, including education about tide pool ecology and responsible observation practices. The ghost forest provides opportunities to teach about seismic hazards, tsunami preparedness, and the dynamic geology of the Cascadia Subduction Zone. European beachgrass management has been discussed but not actively pursued due to the extent of colonization and limited resources. Snowy plover nesting habitat is monitored, though this threatened shorebird is not currently known to nest at Neskowin. The park demonstrates the value of preserving natural beach character in an area where development pressures are significant but have been successfully managed through land use planning and public ownership.