Short Sand Beach, Oregon: The Beach, Trails & Nearby Hikes
There are places on the Oregon Coast that make you feel like you’ve discovered something special. Short Sand Beach is one of them.
The journey begins beneath a canopy of enormous old-growth trees. Short Sand Creek runs alongside the trail, quietly winding through one of those quintessential Pacific Northwest forests. Moss-covered branches, towering Sitka spruce, and the sound of moving water make the walk feel almost enchanted.
Then, just when you begin to settle into the forest, the trees open up and reveal an incredible coastal cove.
Short Sand Beach, often called Short Sands or Shorty’s, is tucked inside Oswald West State Park between Cannon Beach and Manzanita. The beach attracts surfers, hikers, photographers, and people looking for a beautiful place to spend the day. But the beach is only the beginning.
Oswald West State Park has an extensive network of trails, coastal viewpoints, old-growth forest, hidden waterfalls, and mountain hikes. You can spend a few hours enjoying the beach or build an entire weekend around exploring the area.
We’ve spent quite a bit of time hiking and filming here. From the peaceful banks of Necarney Creek to the exposed cliffs at Devil’s Cauldron and the panoramic summit of Neahkahnie Mountain, this is one of our favorite areas of the Oregon Coast.
In this guide, we’ll share our favorite places, what to expect from each hike, how we’d plan a day here, and a few things we wish every first-time visitor knew.
Short Sand Beach: A Short Hike With a Huge Payoff
The walk to Short Sand Beach is short, but the experience along the way is half the adventure.
The main trail to Short Sand Beach is approximately half a mile from the main parking area. It’s a relatively short walk, but the scenery makes it feel like an adventure in its own right.
The trail follows Short Sand Creek through a beautiful old-growth coastal forest. Towering trees create a canopy overhead, while moss, ferns, and thick vegetation fill the forest floor. The creek accompanies much of the walk, adding to the peaceful atmosphere.
For us, this is the quintessential Oregon Coast hike. It doesn’t take long to reach the beach, but the journey through the forest is something special.
Emerging from the forest into the cove is one of our favorite parts of the entire experience. The moment the trees open up and reveal Short Sand Beach is something we never get tired of seeing.
The beach itself is fairly large, with plenty of room to explore. Depending on the day, you’ll see surfers waiting for waves, hikers wandering along the shoreline, people enjoying picnics, and visitors spending an entire afternoon by the water.
You may also find people enjoying beach fires when conditions allow.
Blumenthal Falls: A Waterfall That Drops Into the Ocean
One of the more interesting features of Short Sand Beach is the waterfall at the northern end of the cove.
Known as Blumenthal Falls, this waterfall drops down the coastal cliff toward the beach and ocean. It’s a beautiful feature of the landscape, although its appearance can change depending on the amount of water flowing through the creek.
Short Sand is also a wonderful place to watch wildlife. We’ve seen bald eagles here, and it’s not unusual to spend time simply watching the ocean, listening to the surf, and taking in the scenery.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Short Sand Beach?
Honestly, we think every season has something special to offer here.
A sunny summer day is perfect for making a full day of the beach. You can hike in, spend hours exploring the shoreline, watch surfers, enjoy a picnic, and take your time discovering the surrounding trails.
But don’t overlook the less predictable weather.
One of our favorite ways to experience Short Sand is on a foggy or rainy day. The forest feels even more atmospheric, the creek sounds louder beneath the canopy, and the cove can feel wonderfully secluded.
In winter, you may occasionally find yourself almost alone on the beach. That’s a very different experience from a busy summer weekend.
The Oregon Coast is beautiful in nearly every kind of weather. Don’t automatically cancel your plans because the forecast calls for clouds or rain. Just come prepared for wet conditions and enjoy the atmosphere that comes with them.
The Best Hikes and Viewpoints Near Short Sand Beach
This is where Oswald West State Park really stands out.
Short Sand Beach is the main attraction for many visitors, but the surrounding trails offer enough variety to turn a quick beach stop into a full day—or even an entire weekend—of exploring.
Here are the places we’d prioritize.
1. Cape Falcon Trail: Our Favorite Longer Hike Nearby
If you have three to four hours available, Cape Falcon is absolutely worth considering.
This is one of the more challenging hikes in Oswald West State Park, and one of our favorite hikes on the Oregon Coast.
Most of the route travels through a giant old-growth forest. Towering trees surround the trail, and although you spend much of the hike beneath the forest canopy, there are occasional opportunities to look down toward Short Sand Beach.
The trail has a moderate amount of elevation change as it winds through the coastal mountains. Expect exposed roots, uneven sections, and muddy conditions, particularly after rain.
One of our favorite details is a somewhat hidden waterfall along the western side of the trail. It’s the kind of feature that’s easy to overlook if you’re focused only on reaching the destination.
The final stretch leading out toward the tip of Cape Falcon is where the hike really pays off.
Once you reach the viewpoint, you can take in the entire cove and the surrounding coastline. On clear days, the ocean seems to stretch endlessly in both directions. We’ve even seen whales swimming not far offshore.
It can get windy out at the tip, but the view is worth the effort.
Cape Falcon is also an incredible place to watch the sunset. Just remember that you’ll have to hike back through the forest afterward. Bring a headlamp, allow enough time, and don’t let the sunset catch you unprepared.
We’d give ourselves three to four hours for this hike and time to enjoy the viewpoint. You could easily spend much longer out there.
2. Devil’s Cauldron: A Quick Hike With Dramatic Views
The walk from the nearby Elk Flats parking area is short. You can visit the overlook relatively quickly or spend additional time exploring the surrounding coastal area.
The viewpoint is memorable. Sheer cliffs drop toward the ocean, and you can hear the waves crashing against the rock walls below.
The surrounding landscape is mostly Sitka spruce and coastal shrubs, but there are excellent sightlines throughout the area.
Some sections of the approach have loose rocks and unstable footing. It’s not a long or particularly strenuous hike, but visitors should still pay attention to where they’re stepping and keep a safe distance from the cliffs.
This is also a place where people have different comfort levels with heights. Sarah finds the sheer drops a little unnerving, while I personally enjoy the thrill of standing above the ocean.
We’ve seen elk and bald eagles during this hike, which makes the area even more special.
Devil’s Cauldron is particularly beautiful around sunset. As with much of the Oregon Coast, the evening light can be incredible. The combination of cliffs, ocean, and crashing waves makes it a wonderful place to finish a day outdoors.
One thing to keep in mind: the small Elk Flats parking area can fill up, especially during peak season and on summer weekends.
3. Necarney Creek Trail: A Peaceful Old-Growth Forest Walk
The Necarney Creek Trail offers a different experience from the more exposed coastal viewpoints.
This is one of the quieter hikes we’ve explored around Oswald West State Park. The trail passes through a beautiful old-growth forest, with the sound of the creek accompanying you along much of the route.
The creek itself is a small, unassuming stream. It gently bubbles through the forest, surrounded by deep green vegetation, before eventually making its way toward the beach and sea.
The trail is relatively flat compared with the longer mountain hikes nearby. It’s a great option for someone who wants to slow down, enjoy the forest, and experience a quieter side of the Oregon Coast.
Winter is especially beautiful here. Fog can fill the forest and hang between the trees, creating an atmosphere that’s both eerie and comforting.
There are also opportunities to explore connecting trails and other parts of the park. Depending on the route you choose, you can turn this into more than just a simple creek-side walk.
Current trail note: The old suspension bridge over Necarney Creek was removed after storm damage. The Upper Short Sand Creek Trail is also officially closed. Older maps and route descriptions may show connections that are no longer available, so check current park notices before planning a route through this area.
For us, Necarney Creek is a beautiful part of the experience, especially if you enjoy quiet forest hikes. But if you’re short on time and prefer bigger coastal views, this would be one of the easier hikes to leave for another visit.
4. Neahkahnie Mountain: Two Routes to an Incredible Summit
We’ve hiked to the summit from both the north and south trailheads, and both routes are worthwhile.
Neither hike is an easy stroll. In our experience, both approaches take more than an hour to reach the summit, and each has its own challenges.
The reward is an amazing view from the top. You can look out over the Pacific coastline and appreciate just how beautiful this part of Oregon really is.
We wouldn’t say there’s only one correct route to choose. Both are worthwhile, and your decision may come down to which trailhead is more convenient and how much time you have.
The north trailhead shares its parking area with the Elk Flats and Devil’s Cauldron access area, which can become busy. If that lot is full, consider the south trailhead instead.
For hikers who enjoy earning their viewpoints, Neahkahnie Mountain is one of the best options in the area.
How We’d Spend a Day Exploring Oswald West State Park
There are so many possible combinations of hikes here that it would be difficult to see everything in a single day.
If we had one full day, we’d start by deciding which longer hike we wanted to prioritize: Cape Falcon or Neahkahnie Mountain.
Trying to complete both, along with the beach and all the shorter trails, would make for a very long day.
Next, I would decide where you want to spend sunset: Devil’s Cauldron or Short Sand Beach.
Our Recommendation: Spend the Weekend
If you have the opportunity, we’d recommend exploring the entire area over a weekend instead of trying to fit everything into one day. The nearby towns of Cannon Beach and Manzanita are worth exploring.
Choose one of the longer hikes, spend time at Short Sand Beach, and leave room for the smaller viewpoints and forest trails.
If we absolutely had to skip one of the hikes, we’d probably leave Necarney Creek for another visit unless we specifically wanted the easiest and quietest forest experience.
There are simply too many combinations to explore, and that’s part of what makes this area so special.
Parking at Short Sand Beach and Oswald West State Park
- Short Sand Beach: The main parking lot east of Highway 101 is the easiest option for reaching the beach.
- Necarney Creek and Cape Falcon: Smaller trailhead parking areas offer access to nearby trails, but Cape Falcon’s lot is particularly limited.
- Devil’s Cauldron and North Neahkahnie: Share the small Elk Flats parking area. If it’s full, parking at the South Neahkahnie trailhead is an alternative for accessing Neahkahnie Mountain.
- Peak season: On busy summer weekends, arrive early. Parking can fill throughout the park, so having a backup trailhead in mind is worthwhile.
A final parking reminder: Oswald West State Park requires a day-use parking permit. Check the current Oregon State Parks parking permit page before your visit for applicable fees.
What to Know Before Visiting
Oswald West is beautiful, but like much of the Oregon Coast, the conditions can be unpredictable. Here are a few things we’d recommend keeping in mind:
- Expect wet conditions: Trails can be muddy, especially during the rainy months. Waterproof footwear is a good idea. Just come prepared for wet conditions and enjoy the atmosphere that comes with them.
- Watch your footing: Exposed tree roots are common throughout these coastal forests, along with occasional loose or uneven sections. See what I mean on the Cape Falcon trail.
- Respect the cliffs: Many viewpoints have steep, exposed drop-offs with little or no railing. Stay on marked trails and keep a safe distance from the edges.
- Check trail conditions: Storms, erosion, and landslides can affect access. Check current park alerts and obey posted closures before setting out.
- Plan ahead for food and supplies: There aren’t convenience stores right around the trailheads. Manzanita and Cannon Beach are your best nearby options for food, groceries, and gas.
- Keep pets safe: Dogs are common on these trails, but keep yours under control and be mindful of steep drop-offs and other hikers.
Is Short Sand Beach Worth Visiting?
Absolutely!
Short Sand Beach is one of those places that makes you want to slow down and spend more time outside. The walk through the old-growth forest, the creek, the dramatic reveal of the cove, and the surrounding trails all make it worth visiting.
But what makes this area especially worthwhile is everything beyond the beach itself.
You can hike through quiet coastal rainforest, stand above sheer cliffs, explore waterfalls, watch wildlife, summit a mountain, and finish the day beside the Pacific Ocean.
We keep coming back because the area never feels exactly the same twice. A foggy winter morning can feel like an entirely different destination from a sunny summer afternoon. And there’s always another trail or viewpoint worth exploring.
Whether you have a few hours or an entire weekend, there is plenty to discover.
If you haven’t visited Short Sand Beach and the surrounding Oswald West State Park trails yet, put it on your Oregon Coast list.
Get outside, explore a little farther, and make an adventure of it.
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