Oswald West State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Oswald West State Park is located on the northern Oregon coast and is known for its scenic beauty, hiking trails, and recreational opportunities.
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Summary
The park covers a total of 2,448 acres and features several natural attractions such as sandy beaches, rocky headlands, and dense forests.
One of the main reasons to visit Oswald West State Park is for its stunning coastal views. The park is home to some of the most beautiful stretches of beach in Oregon, including the popular Short Sand Beach, which is surrounded by towering cliffs and offers excellent surfing conditions.
In addition to its beaches, the park also has several hiking trails that lead through old-growth forests and along creeks and waterfalls. The most popular trail is the 5.2-mile round-trip hike to the summit of Neahkahnie Mountain, which offers panoramic views of the coast and surrounding mountains.
Other points of interest in the park include the Devil's Cauldron, a rocky cove that is home to a powerful blowhole and an impressive sea cave, and the Cape Falcon viewpoint, which offers sweeping views of the coastline.
Interesting facts about Oswald West State Park include that it was named after Oswald West, who was the governor of Oregon from 1911 to 1915 and was a strong advocate for public access to the state's beaches. The park was also used as a filming location for several movies, including 1985's The Goonies.
The best time of year to visit Oswald West State Park is during the summer months, when the weather is mild and the park's beaches are at their most accessible. However, visitors should be prepared for crowds and should make reservations well in advance if planning to camp in the park.
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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
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Nehalem Falls Campground
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Nehalem Falls - State Forestry
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Barview Jetty County Campground
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