A five-mile loop trail at Cape Lookout leads through Sitka spruce and western hemlock forest to the tip of the cape. This trail captures the essence of Tillamook County: explore the coastal landscape on foot, while other places highlight wildlife viewing, forest history and regional culture.
Coastal Forest, Trails and Marshland
At Cape Lookout State Park, the North Trail and South Trail add more sections of the Oregon Coast Trail. They run through the forest above the ocean. At Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint, a paved 0.2-mile path leads from the main parking lot to the lighthouse, passing viewpoints and information panels. Another 0.1-mile path leads to the Octopus Tree; a 0.25-mile spur reaches Oregon’s largest Sitka spruce.
Oswald West State Park combines a white sand beach stretching for more than four miles of coastline with dense temperate rainforest. A 13-mile section of the Oregon Coast Trail also runs through the park, from Arch Cape toward Manzanita. Sitka Sedge State Natural Area offers a different landscape: tidal flats, saltwater marshes, forested wetlands, abundant marsh wildlife and beach views define the area. It lies within the traditional territory of the Nestucca band of the Tillamook Indians.
Sitka Sedge State Natural Area has a total of 3.5 miles of loop trails. These include the half-mile Beltz Dike Trail, which leads through the Sand Lake Estuary and wooded dunes to the beach. The area’s diverse landscape and a specific trail to a named destination both take center stage here.
Viewpoints and Loop Trails
The viewpoints at Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint offer opportunities to watch migrating gray whales and other marine mammals. Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge also offers wildlife-viewing opportunities. According to the refuge, thousands of wintering white-cheeked geese can be seen especially well there from late October through early April.
The refuge’s two loop trails differ in length and route. The 0.6-mile Pacific View Trail is paved, accessible to visitors with mobility impairments and ends at an observation platform overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Nestucca Bay and the Little Nestucca River. The 2.2-mile Two Rivers Nature Trail offers several loops through coastal prairie, small wildflower meadows and mixed alder forest. Munson Creek Falls offer a different natural feature: water plunges 319 feet over several tiers; the falls are the highest waterfall in the Coast Range.
Forest History and Regional Culture
The Tillamook Forest Center uses interactive exhibits and educational programs to explore the history of Oregon’s forests, the effects of wildfires, and the art and science of sustainable forest management. The grounds include a climbable, 40-foot replica of a fire lookout tower and a 250-foot pedestrian suspension bridge over the Wilson River. Nature experiences and learning go hand in hand here, with topics ranging from forest history to current management issues.
The Tillamook County Pioneer Museum devotes 19 exhibit areas to the history of Oregon’s North Coast. Its collection includes 55,000 objects and 20,000 photographs, from prehistoric artifacts to the present day. The Tillamook Creamery Viewing Gallery offers a different perspective, with a look behind the scenes at the cheese factory and a cheese-tasting counter.
The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad also combines a train ride with regional themes. Departing from Garibaldi or Rockaway Beach, the ride aboard a historic steam locomotive or historic diesel locomotive takes 30 minutes each way. During the ride, stories about the region, information about wildlife and the importance of environmental protection are shared. Schedules are seasonal; check the dates before your trip.
Trip Planning
The Three Capes Scenic Loop begins in downtown Tillamook and follows a 70-mile route along the water. It offers another way to take in the coastal landscape without conflating the individual nature trails: the options described range from short paths to specific destinations and loop trails through different landscapes to longer trail sections.
Please note an important visitor restriction at Cape Lookout State Park: the day-use area, campground and hiker-biker camp have been closed since August 3, 2026, for park improvements. Check the current status before you arrive.
Discover more destinations: Garibaldi, Tillamook, Rockaway Beach, Cloverdale, Manzanita, Neskowin, Cape Meares, Nehalem, Netarts.
For the broader travel overview: Oregon.
