The Oregon Coast is famous for its incredible rock formations. So we thought, why not put together a road trip to some of Mother Nature’s most massive, must-see monuments along the Oregon Coast? This way, you can check out several of the state’s coolest formations… all in one trip! From little-known gems to some of Oregon’s most iconic and commanding rocks, this scenic road trip leads to six massive, must-see monoliths along the Oregon Coast. Let’s go!
This road trip starts at northern Oregon’s Tillamook Rock and ends at Proposal Rock in Neskowin. It covers about 90 miles of the northern Oregon Coast, with a total drive time of just over two and a half hours.
Google Maps You can view a Google Map of the trip here.
Once upon a time, lava flowed through what’s now known as the Pacific Northwest. The hot, molten flows eventually cooled into solid black basalt, and millions of years of erosion have resulted in the natural wonders we see dotting the Oregon Coast today.
Bonnie Moreland/Flickr
Our journey begins at the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse in Ecola State Park.
GCosby/iStock via Getty Images Plus Found more than a mile offshore in the tempestuous waters of the Pacific Ocean, Tillamook Rock will stop you in your tracks. The sea stack is topped by a stunning lighthouse known as Terrible Tilly and is visible from the cliffs of Tillamook Head. The best place to see it is from a viewpoint in Ecola State Park. Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, Oregon, USA
Next is perhaps the most famous of Oregon’s sea stacks, Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach.
Bonnie Moreland/Flickr Standing at 235 feet tall, this Oregon monolith is an incredible sight to see, and one of the most iconic places in the PNW. One of three “Haystack Rock” formations on the Oregon Coast, this is the one featured in the 1980s classic “The Goonies.” Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach, OR 97145, USA
Why just view one monolith when you can view two? This is the beauty of Twin Rocks, a formation located in the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor.
Moelyn Photos/Moment Collection via Getty Images This duo of sea stacks makes for a sublime scene from the shore, especially during high tide when the waves are at their strongest. Twin Rocks, Oregon, USA
And if two sea stacks are good, then three are great! From Twin Rocks, you’ll continue south to Three Arch Rocks.
skibreck/iStock via Getty Images Plus This sea stack triple threat is located in lovely Oceanside, Oregon. These distinctively notched rock formations are part of a national wildlife refuge to protect nesting sea birds and sea lions, which, if you’re lucky, you might see while visiting! Three Arch Rocks, Oregon 97141, USA
From Three Arch Rocks, you’ll hop in the car and drive about 45 minutes south to Pacific City’s Haystack Rock.
Bonnie Moreland/Flickr Towering 327 feet above sea level, Haystack Rock at Pacific City is the tallest of Oregon’s coastal Haystack Rocks; the other two, found off Cannon Beach and near Bandon, stand at 235 feet and 105 feet, respectively. This is the perfect spot to stop and grab a bite to eat – Pelican Brewing literally sits on the beach looking out over this superlative Haystack Rock. Pacific City, OR, USA
The last stop on our Oregon Monoliths Road Trip is a beauty: Proposal Rock.
Thomas Roche/Moment Collection via Getty Images Proposal Rock is actually part of the ghost forest found at the beach at Neskowin. In the late 1990s, powerful coastal storms revealed something unexpected at Neskowin Beach: an ancient forest buried in the sand. At low tide, the remains of more than 100 ancient sitka spruce trees seem to rise out of the rugged shores of the Oregon Coast; when combined with the commanding Proposal Rock, the result is an extraordinary nature scene. Proposal Rock, Oregon 97149, USA
As the last stop on the road trip, we recommend getting out and exploring. Bring a beach blanket and some drinks, and watch as the sun sets over this incredible Oregon monolith.
Strekoza2/iStock via Getty Images Plus The silhouette of this black sea stack and haunting ghost forest against the endless skies over the Pacific Ocean is something you can only experience here in Oregon, and it’s absolutely spectacular. Proposal Rock, Oregon 97149, USA
What’s your favorite monolith along the Oregon Coast? While many coasts are defined by their beaches, Oregon’s rugged sea stacks are truly one-of-a-kind, and well-worth exploring!
Google Maps
You can view a Google Map of the trip here.
Bonnie Moreland/Flickr
GCosby/iStock via Getty Images Plus
Found more than a mile offshore in the tempestuous waters of the Pacific Ocean, Tillamook Rock will stop you in your tracks. The sea stack is topped by a stunning lighthouse known as Terrible Tilly and is visible from the cliffs of Tillamook Head. The best place to see it is from a viewpoint in Ecola State Park.
Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, Oregon, USA
Standing at 235 feet tall, this Oregon monolith is an incredible sight to see, and one of the most iconic places in the PNW. One of three “Haystack Rock” formations on the Oregon Coast, this is the one featured in the 1980s classic “The Goonies.”
Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach, OR 97145, USA
Moelyn Photos/Moment Collection via Getty Images
This duo of sea stacks makes for a sublime scene from the shore, especially during high tide when the waves are at their strongest.
Twin Rocks, Oregon, USA
skibreck/iStock via Getty Images Plus
This sea stack triple threat is located in lovely Oceanside, Oregon. These distinctively notched rock formations are part of a national wildlife refuge to protect nesting sea birds and sea lions, which, if you’re lucky, you might see while visiting!
Three Arch Rocks, Oregon 97141, USA
Towering 327 feet above sea level, Haystack Rock at Pacific City is the tallest of Oregon’s coastal Haystack Rocks; the other two, found off Cannon Beach and near Bandon, stand at 235 feet and 105 feet, respectively. This is the perfect spot to stop and grab a bite to eat – Pelican Brewing literally sits on the beach looking out over this superlative Haystack Rock.
Pacific City, OR, USA
Thomas Roche/Moment Collection via Getty Images
Proposal Rock is actually part of the ghost forest found at the beach at Neskowin. In the late 1990s, powerful coastal storms revealed something unexpected at Neskowin Beach: an ancient forest buried in the sand. At low tide, the remains of more than 100 ancient sitka spruce trees seem to rise out of the rugged shores of the Oregon Coast; when combined with the commanding Proposal Rock, the result is an extraordinary nature scene.
Proposal Rock, Oregon 97149, USA
Strekoza2/iStock via Getty Images Plus
The silhouette of this black sea stack and haunting ghost forest against the endless skies over the Pacific Ocean is something you can only experience here in Oregon, and it’s absolutely spectacular.
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