Exploring Cape Lookout, Oregon

Looking for a new place to explore while visiting the Oregon coast this summer? Why not head out to Cape Lookout, just north of Pacific City and south of Netarts! This hike is easy and beautiful but requires hiking boots after a big storm or a couple days of straight, unrelenting rain on the coast. Otherwise, normal tennis shoes are just fine.

Small children are not recommended for this hike as there are no railings and several areas of steep cliff overlooking the Pacific. If they are young enough to be carried on your back, please feel free to do so! Of course, this is up to your best judgment! Dogs are more than welcome to go on this hike with you but must be leashed at all times.

There are three hikes that can be found here at Cape Lookout. The South Trail, the North Trail, and the Cape Lookout Trail. The hike out to Cape Lookout is 2.4 miles long, 5 miles round trip, and can take between 1 and 2 hours to reach. The path is fairly narrow, with tree roots covering a majority of the pathway. The ground is moderately level, but has periods of incline and decline.

You’ll know you’ve reached the end when you hit sea, a bench to relax on, and nowhere else to go but the way you came! Congratulations! You just walked 2.4 miles and gained 930 feet in elevation! Feel free to bring a small lunch or snack to enjoy at Cape Lookout before heading back.

Please note that there are no restrooms on the trail or at the end of trail. There is a port-a-potty at the beginning of the trail in the parking lot. Additional parking for this trail can be found off of the main road, on the shoulders.

Cape Lookout is a very popular trail, so expect to see lots of other people, with breathtaking views of the coastline, the Pacific, and Haystack Rock in Pacific City! You might even catch a glimpse of some migrating whales, or other sea life!

Here’s how to get there:

Travel to Pacific City if you’re coming from down south. From here, turn left from Brooten Road at the stop sign onto Pacific Aveune, then right onto Cape Kiwanda Drive at the stop sign. Continue along this road until you reach a 3 way intersection. Continue straight. At the next 3 way intersection, turn left onto Cape Lookout Road. Continue on this road until you see the sign for Cape Lookout. Park in the parking lot or along the shoulder.

If you’re coming from the north, travel south along Highway 101 until you hit Sandlake Road. Continue straight until you reach a 3 way intersection. Continue straight until you reach the sign for Cape Lookout. Park in the parking lot or along the road on the shoulders.

You can also travel south from Tillamook by taking 3rd Street and turning left onto Netarts Highway West, then left onto Whiskey Creek Road which turns into Cape Lookout Road West. Look for the Cape Lookout sign and park in the parking lot or on the shoulder.

If you’re in Oceanside or Netarts, travel down 131 to Netarts Bay Drive until it turns into Cape Lookout Road West. Look for the Cape Lookout sign and park in the parking lot or on the shoulder.