Cape Lookout State Park

Vincent V

Visited here a few times over the past few years and it has always been great. The campsites are nice and the beach is clean and big. The campsites are a little close together, but there tends to be bushes or trees blocking direct views.

Tim Bond

So, I lived out on the east coast for 12 years, where I got married. When I brought my wife (who'd never been to a Pacific beach) to this place in 2004, she was astounded by the width of the beach (distance from tree line to ocean) and space to spread out. She'd been used to Ocean city and Virginia beach - both narrow, steep and terribly overcrowded. Even when it's 'busy', this beach usually has 50-100 feet between groups of people, rather than the 3-5 feet at those places I mentioned above. It's really pretty, and has plenty of little streams and some big rocks for the kids to climb on (nothing too high or dangerous) and an area on the north end where there is a massive sand dune (30+ feet high) which the kids also will have fun with. The weather was great that day - sunny and 70F. There was a pretty steady wind, so the place is good for flying kites too. There is a tent & RV campground there which is pretty good (to the right on the entrance road) and a day area (to the left), which has a nice, shady, covered area, multiple picnic benches, pretty clean bathrooms, great beach access (50 feet from parking area), and ample parking, etc. We had a great time - mostly. Near the end of our stay, my poor little 6-year-old daughter was caught unawares by a sudden gust of wind which ripped her kite (an old one I'd had since I was like 10, and was dear to her heart) out of her hands. It flew away to the south, buoyed by the wind, and eventually landed in the ocean and was dashed against the rocks of the cape itself, and perished - sent down to Davy Jones locker. I have rarely ever seen her so upset, mostly because she thought I'd be upset (I was only upset because she was sad, and explained 'it's just a thing, it can be replaced, don't worry, it wasn't your fault', etc., etc.)...so that little experience put a damper on the afternoon, but the stay was otherwise quite pleasant. We got ice cream at the Tilamook creamery on the way home, which helped cheer her up. *sigh* So, all in all, I would definitely recommend this place, with a few important suggestions for anyone who goes: 1. Bring a jacket or sweater or something wind resistant. Even when its warm, the wind is often strong and will chill you quickly. 2. Go during the hottest part of summer for maximum comfort. 3. The water is always really cold - roughly 45-55 degrees, so limit your kids time in it. It'll make you go number very quickly. 4. There's a rip current which moves rapidly to the south, so I wouldn't recommend swimming too far out - the chances of getting carried away like the kite are better than average, there are sharp rocks on the cape, and it all represents a safety concern. KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON YOUR CHILDREN - DON'T LET THEM GO MORE THAN ABOUT THIGH-HIGH IN THE WATER FOR MAX SAFETY! 5. If you plan to fly kites (especially for kids) make sure to get a safety strap which will attach to the wrist in case they drop the spool/handle. The wind can be gusty and unpredictable, and I hope you don't experience the heartbreak of a lost kite. I've included the last photo before it was lost :(

T T

Cape Lookout is among the best state parks on the northern Oregon coast. Please check a tide table before you go and visit at low tide if you can. At low tide there is a wide flat beach ideal for a stroll, flying a kite, or playing with a dog. At high tide the ocean will cover most of the beach. Besides the beach a real treasure here are the trails that traverse old growth coastal forest out to the tip of the cape, or north or south to the beach. Pure magic when it is foggy. If it is clear views north and south from the tip of the cape are nice. Tends to be busy when it is nice, visit on a week day.

Shareen Wornson

I’ve been here twice and it’s a nice place to camp. There’s a good stretch of beach and the sites are close enough to hear the waves at night. There are a LOT of sites here and the bathrooms and the landscaping is a little run down. The sites are small and close together but mostly separated by brush and trees. They do have showers and flush toilets which is nice. Lots of families and kids and dogs. The yurts look good too.