Crescent Beach
Cannon Beach, OR
Crescent Beach is the reward at the end of a mile and a half forest trail from Ecola Point, steep and muddy in sections, which keeps it far quieter than Indian Beach a short drive away. What opens up is a nearly untouched cove with driftwood, tide pools, and often not another person in sight.
One of the few genuinely empty beaches left on this stretch of coast, the tradeoff is a real hike in both directions with no shortcut.
How we score beachesWear real shoes, not sandals. The trail gets slick with mud past the first quarter mile even in dry weather.
Park at the Ecola Point lot inside Ecola State Park; a day use fee applies.
Hike in only, roughly 1.5 miles each way on a forested trail with steep, muddy stretches. Not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs.
Leashed dogs are allowed in Ecola State Park.
The trail is at its driest and least muddy in summer, June through September, which is also the easiest season to justify the hike in.
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