Friday, December 12, 2025

Hiking the Indian Beach Trail in Oregon

Indian Beach Trail, part of the Oregon Coast Trail, is located near Cannon Beach, Oregon, and stretches from Ecola Point (just north of Cannon Beach) to Indian Beach, several miles up the coast and one of the two beaches in Ecola Point State Park.  We initially drive to and explore Indian Beach and then follow the trail south to Ecola Point and return.  The tide is out when we arrive and Indian Beach offers exposed sand for great walking and exploration.

Indian Beach

Indian Beach demonstrates  the rugged grandeur of the Oregon Coast, a place where old-growth conifer forests cover wave-buffeted cliffs.  The beach is bow-shaped, sitting in a notch carved from Tillamook Head and a chain of sea stacks dot the shoreline, rising from the ocean and delighting us as we walk along the exposed sand (the tide is out).

We spot the trailhead marker just above the beach and start up toward Ecola Point.

Starting up the trail

Glimpses back at Indian Beach

Continuing up

The trail leaves the coast and loops through the forest around the back side of the hills, returning to the coast as we approach Ecola Point.

Passing through the forest

Along the trail, not bothered by us at all

We start to descend to the water and are offered glimpses of the ocean and the beaches near Ecola Point.

Returning to the ocean

Looking back at Indian Beach

The path continues descending to Ecola Point and we walk out to find more beautiful views up and down the coast.

Views from Ecola Point

We return to the trail and head back to Indian Beach to find that the tide has come in and the beach is much smaller.

Hiking back through the forest



Returning to Indian Beach

At the trailhead, a board tells us of some of the films shot nearby, including Point Break, Twilight, the Goonies, and Kindergarten Cop.

Filming here

This has been another great Oregon Coast stop and we need to explore more on another day.

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