Cape Lookout State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Cape Lookout State Park is a popular destination located on the coast of Oregon.
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Summary
There are several reasons why visitors should consider visiting this park, including its beautiful beaches, scenic hiking trails, and picturesque camping grounds. One of the main points of interest within the park is Cape Lookout itself, which is a prominent headland that offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Another popular attraction within the park is the Cape Lookout Trail, which is a 5.2-mile hike that takes visitors through a lush forest and along the coastline.
In addition to its natural beauty, Cape Lookout State Park also has several interesting facts associated with it. For example, the park was initially established during the Great Depression as part of a national effort to create jobs and stimulate the economy. Today, the park offers visitors a chance to explore one of the most scenic sections of the Oregon coast.
The best time of year to visit Cape Lookout State Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and sunny. However, visitors should be aware that the park can get crowded during peak season, so it is important to plan ahead and book campsites or lodging reservations well in advance. Overall, Cape Lookout State Park is a must-see destination for anyone visiting the state of Oregon, thanks to its stunning natural beauty and wide range of activities and attractions.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Biker/Hiker Campground Area
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Cape Lookout Campground
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East Dunes
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Sand Beach
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Whalen Island
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Webb County Park
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Clay Myers State Natural Area
Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area
Symons State Scenic Viewpoint
Oceanside Beach State Recreation Site
Three Arch Rocks Wilderness Area