Ecola State Park

Ecola State Park is a state park located approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) north of Cannon Beach in Clatsop County in the U.S. state of Oregon on the Oregon Coast. It is administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. The park was home to the Tillamook and Clatsop for millennia before European colonization.

It takes the name Ecola from a nearby creek, given a Chinook Jargon name meaning 'whale' by members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The park is included as part of Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, though separate entrance fees are charged. The park encompasses 9 miles (14 km) of coastline between Cannon Beach and Seaside and includes Tillamook Head.

Included within the park are 8 miles (13 km) of the Oregon Coast Trail. Ecola State Park is popular with tourists on the Oregon coast, averaging 500,000 visitors per year.

Ecola State Park occupies a particular place in the imagination of American public lands. As a State Park in Oregon, it represents a deliberate choice — by the people who advocated for its protection, and by the National Park Service rangers who maintain it — to keep this landscape available to anyone willing to make the trip. That accessibility is the quiet miracle of the park system.

The pages linked below break the visit down into the four practical questions every traveler asks: where can I hike, where can I sleep, what else is worth seeing while I'm in the area, and what should I know before I show up. Each one is written from the perspective of someone planning their first trip — assume nothing, explain what's worth explaining, and skip the marketing language. If you've been here before, treat these guides as a refresher and a way to discover the corners you missed last time.

What this guide covers

Over the next four pages, this field guide breaks Ecola State Park into the practical questions every traveler asks: which trails are worth the effort, where to sleep both inside and outside the park boundary, what else is worth a stop in the surrounding region, and the small-but-essential tips that make the difference between a stressful first day and a smooth one. Use the navigation above to jump between sections, or read them in order — they're written to flow.

• Hikes — short loops, half-day trails, and backcountry routes
• Camping — drive-in campgrounds, RV sites, and backcountry permits
• Nearby attractions — gateway towns and adjacent public lands
• Visitor tips — timing, fees, weather, and what to skip

Logistics at a glance

Use this quick reference when you're putting together your itinerary. The figures below are the most-asked questions every visitor needs answered before arrival, summarized in one place.

Designation	State Park
State	Oregon
Entrance fee	Varies — check the official park site below for current rates.
Visitor center hours	Most open daily 8–9am to 4:30–6pm. Reduced winter hours common.
Best months	Plan around the weather notes above.
Camping inside park	See the camping guide for campground details, fees, and reservation windows.
Nearby gateway towns	See nearby attractions for lodging and supply stops.