Cape Lookout

Cape Lookout State Park offers some of Oregon's finest coastal camping along with trails to a dramatic headland jutting nearly a mile into the Pacific Ocean. The cape provides unparalleled whale watching as gray whales pass within viewing distance during their annual migrations. The park's combination of forest camping and spectacular coastal scenery makes it one of Oregon's most popular.

The cape is one of Oregon's premier whale watching locations, with gray whales passing close to the headland during spring and fall migrations. Harbor seals and sea lions inhabit the waters below. The old-growth Sitka spruce forest provides habitat for murrelets and other forest wildlife. Seabirds nest on offshore rocks.

The cape is covered by impressive old-growth Sitka spruce forest, with some trees exceeding 300 years old. The forest understory is lush with sword ferns, salal, and evergreen huckleberry. The exposed headland supports stunted, wind-sculpted vegetation. The campground is sheltered by the forest on a narrow spit between the ocean and Netarts Bay.

The cape is formed of resistant basalt from ancient volcanic eruptions, explaining why it juts so far into the ocean while softer rocks erode on either side. The steep cliffs reveal layers of basalt and volcanic breccia. The narrow spit where the campground is located was built by sand deposited between the cape and the bay.

Cape Lookout experiences a mild, wet climate with cool summers and mild winters. Summer temperatures average in the low 60s°F. Annual precipitation exceeds 80 inches. The exposed cape can be foggy and windy when the beach is calm. Storms bring dramatic wave action visible from trail viewpoints.

The Tillamook people lived in this area for thousands of years, utilizing both ocean and bay resources. Euro-American settlement brought logging and farming to the region. The cape's forests were largely spared logging due to its remote location. The park was established to preserve its exceptional natural values.

Cape Lookout became a state park in 1935, preserving the old-growth forest and dramatic headland. The Civilian Conservation Corps developed the park's facilities and trails. The campground on the sand spit provides a unique beachfront experience. The park has grown to become one of Oregon's most visited coastal destinations.

The Cape Trail is a 4.8-mile round trip through old-growth forest to the tip of the cape, offering incredible whale watching opportunities. The North Trail leads to views of Netarts Bay. The beach provides walking, tidepooling, and wildlife watching. The campground offers direct beach access.

The park offers over 200 campsites including tent sites, electrical hookups, yurts, and cabins. Facilities include restrooms with showers and a nature center. Located 12 miles southwest of Tillamook off Highway 101. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer. The park is open year-round.

Protection of the old-growth Sitka spruce forest is a management priority. The park participates in whale monitoring programs during migration seasons. Trail maintenance prevents erosion on the heavily used cape trail. Oregon State Parks balances high visitation with protection of the park's exceptional natural resources.