Things To Do
Tide pools, sea stacks, forest trails, and Pacific sunsets.
Haystack Rock & Marine Garden
The Iconic Sea Stack
At 235 feet tall, Haystack Rock is the defining feature of Cannon Beach. Accessible at low tide, the surrounding Marine Garden is a protected habitat where you can observe sea stars, giant green anemones, purple sea urchins, limpets, and hermit crabs in their natural environment.
Full Haystack Rock GuidePuffin Watching
Tufted puffins are one of the Pacific Northwest's most beloved seabirds, and Haystack Rock is one of the most accessible places to see them. Every April, puffins return to their burrows on the upper rocky ledges of Haystack Rock and the surrounding sea stacks to raise their chicks. The season runs through August, with peak activity from May through July.
The distinctive tufted puffin has a black body, white face, bright orange bill, and yellow-golden plumes above the eyes in breeding plumage. They're hard to miss and fun to watch as they take off and land clumsily from the rocky ledges. Binoculars are strongly recommended.
Ecola State Park
Just north of Cannon Beach, Ecola State Park offers some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the Pacific Northwest. Old-growth Sitka spruce forests drop to dramatic sea cliffs, and the trails open to sweeping ocean views.
- →Indian Beach for a quieter cove and surf watching
- →Tillamook Head Trail for a longer coastal hike
- →Ecola Point for the easiest sweeping viewpoints
- →Arrive early in summer because parking fills fast
Art Galleries & the Sandcastle Festival
Cannon Beach has nurtured an arts community since the 1960s. Hemlock Street is lined with galleries showcasing painting, sculpture, photography, and crafts from Oregon and Pacific Northwest artists. The quality is genuinely high. This is not souvenir-shop art.
The annual Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest, held each June, transforms the beach into an open-air sculpture park. Professional and amateur teams construct elaborate castles, animals, and sculptures that draw thousands of visitors. It's one of the oldest and most prestigious sandcastle competitions on the West Coast.
Outdoor Activities
Surfing & Beach
Cannon Beach gets Pacific swells, and while it's not a surf mecca, the north and south ends of the beach can be fun in the right conditions. The wide beach is also perfect for kite flying and long walks.
Horseback Riding
Several outfitters offer guided horseback rides on the beach and through nearby forested trails. Riding at sunset with Haystack Rock in the background is a genuinely special experience.
Wildlife Watching
Beyond puffins, keep an eye out for harbor seals, sea lions, bald eagles, and gray whales during migration. Binoculars are your best friend here.
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From Portland: Oregon Coast Adventure Day Tour with Pickup 8.5 hours •
Direct GetYourGuide activity result for Cannon Beach, OR, OR; listed from $129.
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Haystack Rock guide
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