Things to Do in Cannon Beach
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 return to burrows high on Haystack Rock each spring. Current local guidance identifies April into early July as the strongest viewing period; chicks may remain into August. The birds are small from the beach, so binoculars or a spotting scope make a substantial difference.
The distinctive tufted puffin has a black body, white face, bright orange bill, and yellow-golden plumes above the eyes in breeding plumage. Scan the upper ledges and watch for birds carrying fish toward nesting burrows. HRAP volunteers can help locate active areas when they are on the beach.
Ecola State Park
Just north of Cannon Beach, Ecola State Park combines Sitka spruce forest, Ecola Point, Indian Beach, and views along the Tillamook Head coastline. Check the official park profile before hiking: the western Clatsop Loop segment from the park entrance to the Hikers Camp junction is currently closed after a landslide, while Hikers Camp remains accessible from Indian Beach.
- →Indian Beach for a quieter cove and surf watching
- →Check current trail status before a longer coastal hike
- →Ecola Point for the easiest sweeping viewpoints
- →Oregon State Parks status and closure notices
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. Galleries vary from contemporary painting and photography to glass, ceramics, and sculpture.
The annual Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest is held each June. Professional and amateur teams build temporary castles, animals, and sculptures on the sand; check the current event date before planning around it.
Outdoor Activities
Surfing & Beach
Cannon Beach receives exposed Pacific swell. Check current surf and weather conditions before entering; on calmer days, the broad sand also suits kite flying and long shoreline walks.
Horseback Riding
Guided beach rides operate elsewhere on the north Oregon coast, but departure points and seasonal availability vary. Confirm the operator and meeting point before treating a regional ride as part of a Cannon Beach day.
Wildlife Watching
Beyond puffins, watch from a distance for harbor seals, sea lions, bald eagles, and gray whales during migration. Binoculars help with birds on the rock and marine mammals offshore.
Bookable experiences
Portland-departure tours that reach Cannon Beach
These are regional day trips, not tours that begin in Cannon Beach. Each card names Portland as the departure city and identifies whether the route centers on Cannon Beach or continues to Tillamook and Depoe Bay.
Departs Portland: Oregon Coast Adventure Day Tour (8.5 hours)
An 8.5-hour guided day trip departing Portland for the north Oregon coast, with pickup details and exact Cannon Beach stops set by the operator.
Departs Portland: Depoe Bay, Cannon Beach and Tillamook Day Tour
A full-day regional tour departing Portland and combining Cannon Beach with Tillamook and Depoe Bay whale watching; confirm current duration and pickup details.
Departs Portland: Northern Oregon Coast and Cannon Beach (8.5 hours)
An 8.5-hour guided day trip departing Portland that includes the Cannon Beach area; confirm the current pickup point and stop sequence.
Departs Portland: Cannon Beach, Haystack Rock and Coast Hiking
A Portland-departure Oregon Coast tour featuring Cannon Beach, Haystack Rock, and guided hiking; confirm the current duration, trail plan, and pickup point.