Clatsop Loop Trail near Cannon Beach, Oregon
The Clatsop Loop Trail follows routes established by Clatsop and Tillamook Tribes. Later the Corps of Discovery traveled along it to reach a beached whale in 1806.
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The trailhead begins at the parking lot of Indian Beach in Ecola State Park. It’s a fairly easy hike, but does have some elevation gain and can be muddy.
I absolutely love the rainforests of the Pacific Northwest, as well as the beach. This hike checks both boxes and does not disappoint.
Clatsop Loop Trail Stats
Trailhead: Indian Beach Day Use Area
Trail Type: Loop
Difficulty: 🟢 Moderate based on OK Which Way’s rating system
Distance: 3 miles
Elevation: 40 – 770 feet
Planning Your Visit
Location: Ecola State Park, located between Seaside and Cannon Beach. About 1 1/2 hours from Portland.
Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time
Parking: Indian Beach Day Use Area
Park Pass Needed: Oregon State Park Day Use or Annual Pass
Entrance Fee: $10/car check the State Park website for current fee pricing
Trail Map: Link to AllTrails map
Pets: Dogs allowed on a leash
Going Up
The first section of this trail is a nice gravel road.
Along the trail are numbered plaques highlighting stops with historical information.
The trail does narrow and can be muddy in spots.
The Little Things – Flora, Fauna, Rock info
Thank you rainy Oregon for providing the perfect home for snails and mushrooms.
Half Way
Hiker’s Camp
Available to hikers traveling along the Oregon Coast Trail.
From this point in the trail you have 3 hiking options:
1. Continue along the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail about 4 miles north to Seaside.
2. Take a short detour to the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse overlook. Along the way you will also pass the site of a World War II radar station.
3. Head back towards Indian Beach taking the path closer to the shoreline, which is part of the Oregon Coast Trail.
We opted to do option 2, then option 3.
Photo on the right is a WWII observation bunker.
Walking Down Tillamook Head
As you wind down the mountain, you catch an occasional glimpse of the ocean.
The number of ferns growing on this Sitka spruce is impressive!
The lighting coming through the trees was stunning.
Final Thoughts
Hiking in the lush, green environment of Oregon’s coastal forests is my absolute favorite. These hikes tend to include elevation gain and muddy adventures, but I love it. I would most definitely hike this trail again.
LEAVE NO TRACE
Items to Bring
Other Trails
Sections of the Clatsop Loop Trail are part of other trails including:
- Near the end of the 4900 mile Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
- Southern section of the Tillamook Head Trail
- The western section of the loop is part of the Oregon Coast Trail
Our Stats
Distance: 4.2 miles
Start: Indian Beach Day Use Area
End: Indian Beach Day Use Area
Hiking Time: 2 hours*
*A quick note on our hiking style – We stop and smell the roses. When I go for a run, speed is a consideration. While hiking, it is not. We take photos, watch the chipmunk in the tree, find geocaches, and simply enjoy the adventure. So, typically a hike can be completed in a shorter time than we log.
52 Hike Challenge
I work best when I have a goal to reach towards. In 2019, the goal was 52 Hikes.
Hike 32 of 52: Clatsop Loop Trail
Thinking About Hiking the Clatsop Loop Trail?
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Lewis & Clark Sites Nearby
This trail review is based only on Jennifer’s experience. Hike at your own risk with the understanding that individual scenarios in a natural environment will be variable.
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