Haystack Rock
Haystack Rock
5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
Haystack Rock is a unique 235 feet monolith that attracts wildlife and tourists alike and is part of the Oregon Coast’s geological history, formed millions of year ago by lava flows that created many of the dramatic capes and headlands along the coast. Haystack Rock is protected under U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a seabird nesting colony and it is part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge and is a State protected Marine Garden. The Rock is home to nesting seabirds in the summer and marine invertebrates all year. Tidepool seekers are beckoned by its wonders every day. The Haystack Rock Awareness Program (HRAP) is a stewardship and environmental educational program whose mission is to protect, through education, the intertidal and bird ecology of the Marine Garden and Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge at Haystack Rock. HRAP offers an extensive interpretive program on the beach during the spring and summer months around low tide.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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- craig1086Atlanta, Georgia1,997 contributionsIt's A Decent Visit If You're Blessed With Great WeatherWe had pouring rain the day we drove out to Cannon Beach. While driving down the main street, you can't help but see Haystack Rock due to the majestic size of it. It's in between a couple of rock formations on the beach. The wind was howling, and it made the rain even colder, but we did see one group of people that were still walking the beach. The weather had the tide coming further up almost to the staircases that bring you down from the street above. There's plenty of marine life you can see without even walking out that far onto the beach. On a good weather day, I'm sure it's amazing. However, to me it's just a beach that you walk up and down, as there are so many rocks in the sand. Also, the ocean water was frigid. But I'll always remember the visit. There's a free public parking lot down by the coffee shops. It's a short stop because there's not much to do in the town.Visited April 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten May 9, 2024
- BrakiWorldTravelerBelgrade, Serbia20,038 contributionsAmazing beach and rockAbsolutely do come here to admire this natural wonder. Parking can be tricky and hard to find. Beach is wide and long and the Haystack rock looked amazing even in bad weather. You can walk all around during the low tide, approach the small pools and ask rangers whatever interests you.Visited April 2024Traveled with familyWritten May 29, 2024
- NikzleezPrince George, Virginia859 contributionsBucket List!This was one of the highlights of my road trip one of my bucket lists items. It is as beautiful as the pictures and so many opportunities to get amazing shots. We went at sunset. I even saw a bald eagle thanks to a friendly bird enthusiast/photographer.Visited May 2024Traveled with friendsWritten June 3, 2024
- Have Camera, Will TravelSouth Bend, Indiana3,804 contributionsWe hit it at low Tide.We were on the beach at low tide, which was both a plus and a minus. the plus is the tide pools of course. We could see starfish, some anemones, and lots of mussels. There were parks workers out explaining what we were looking at, which was nice since it kept people from touching everything. The tide pools were not as interesting as some we had seen, but they are always cool to see. The minus is that it is actually a better picture if the rock looks like it is off shore. The Pacific City version is just amazing looking and it's a mile off shore. The beach itself was nice, fairly busy, and clean. We had a good walk around.Visited August 2023Traveled with familyWritten June 19, 2024
- shawnkimmitz93 contributionsGoonies!Our family quest was to visit all 50 states and this was our first stop in Oregon. We did a couple things in the state, but this was my favorite! Parking in town and then walking onto the beach to see the iconic rock is incredible. It made us want to watch Goonies again.Visited June 2024Traveled with familyWritten June 21, 2024
- KathrinePennsylvania632 contributionsAwesome formationAn incredible and majestic formation. Simply beautiful at all hours of the day - sunset was really spectacular. Do seek out the tidepools and discover them. We saw huge starfish and many birds. If you are near the coast and Cannon Beach, do make a point to stop to see it.Visited September 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten October 16, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
3,303 reviews
Excellent
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490
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8
Rob121618
West Malling, UK569 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
We could see the tip of the rock from our hotel room…so that was great. Seeing it from the beach is amazing. Watching the sunset from the beach with Haystack rock in your photos is quite something. The rock dominates this part of the coastline…definitely worth visiting.
Written July 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IrishRover
Pittsburgh, PA3,253 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
We stopped for the day to explore in and around Cannon Beach with this being our main reason. It truly is mesmerizing. Sunset is the time to be as the mist and sun create such a great moment. It is truly a special place
Written July 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edwelsh
North Canton, OH7,338 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
It’s an accessible, millions years old, 235 foot tall rock in the Pacific Ocean! And it’s right at the edge of water on the beautiful Cannon Beach. It’s a bird sanctuary and an environmental wonder. But, forget all that, it’s just an amazing sight to behold. The surf, the sunlight, the long flat beach, the reflections, the crashing waves, the mist and all the different angles make this a beautiful spot for amateur photographers like myself. It’s one of those places, that when you see it in real life, it’s just wow!
Written September 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hannah Davis
Cookeville, TN50 contributions
Aug 2019
When we set off on our Oregon trip, Haystack Rock was one of the most highly talked about and recommended places for us to visit. We went in early August around 2-3 PM. We found parking next to Mo's Restaurant and walked from there to Haystack Rock.
Once we made it to the rock we saw that there was a large area sanctioned off by ropes and stakes and lots of signs about staying out of these areas and not poking or collecting any of the tide pool creatures. However, despite all of this, there was lots of people (both adults and children) picking up anemones, poking them, catching other wildlife in nets and trampling through restricted areas. We also saw dogs digging in the sand in the restricted areas. The area was covered up with people and due to the harassment of the wildlife, all the anemones were closed and the other tide pool inhabitants were gone or fleeing.
I have heard many good reviews of this area, so I feel like we may have arrived at a bad time. This would be an excellent area to visit if it was less crowded and the individuals visiting were respectful of the wildlife.
I would definitely still recommend stopping, as this is a must-see Oregon landmark, but I would try hard to visit during a less crowded time.
Once we made it to the rock we saw that there was a large area sanctioned off by ropes and stakes and lots of signs about staying out of these areas and not poking or collecting any of the tide pool creatures. However, despite all of this, there was lots of people (both adults and children) picking up anemones, poking them, catching other wildlife in nets and trampling through restricted areas. We also saw dogs digging in the sand in the restricted areas. The area was covered up with people and due to the harassment of the wildlife, all the anemones were closed and the other tide pool inhabitants were gone or fleeing.
I have heard many good reviews of this area, so I feel like we may have arrived at a bad time. This would be an excellent area to visit if it was less crowded and the individuals visiting were respectful of the wildlife.
I would definitely still recommend stopping, as this is a must-see Oregon landmark, but I would try hard to visit during a less crowded time.
Written July 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jasmine G
33 contributions
Oct 2020
It is hard to fathom that just beyond the unassuming streets of shops you find a spectacular beach and rock formations.
Within walking distance of our hotel, I made half a dozen trips to walk or just gaze upon this wonder. An evening at sunset is particularly spectacular. Beach blankets dot the area with small bonfires.
After years of extensive travel throughout the United States, this is one of very few places I have returned to repeatedly. I will continue to come back for the peace and beauty of such an easily accessible beach.
Within walking distance of our hotel, I made half a dozen trips to walk or just gaze upon this wonder. An evening at sunset is particularly spectacular. Beach blankets dot the area with small bonfires.
After years of extensive travel throughout the United States, this is one of very few places I have returned to repeatedly. I will continue to come back for the peace and beauty of such an easily accessible beach.
Written May 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim W.
Atlanta, GA1,355 contributions
Jul 2022
This review is not so much for the rock itself (which is worth seeing) but for the overall experience of driving into Cannon Beach and trying to see Haystack Rock (which is nightmarish).
We were driving north on Hwy 101 after lunch and a short hike near Manzanitas. I had noted some coastal landmarks to see on our drive, and of course Haystack Rock was among these. We got off Hwy 101 (northbound) and did a sort of cloverleaf 270-degree turn back under the highway to head the 1/4 mile to the town of Cannon Beach. It looked like there might be a few spaces to park near this underpass (along the road).
We approached the stop sign at the main intersection in town. Traffic was heavy. We managed to make a left turn and headed parallel to the beach. Over some intervening homes / hotels we soon could see Haystack Rock. However, there was NOWHERE to park (at least nowhere that had spaces). We circled around, tried some side roads, etc. No luck. And this was on a Thursday at around 1:30 p.m.!
We soon gave up and opted to just look for a public restroom before getting back on 101. This proved almost equally difficult. We ended up just parking in front of someone's driveway and I waited while others walked half a block to the facilities.
I would not drive in Cannon Beach again if I returned here. At best, I would consider parking near the initial 101 underpass and walking the rest of the way. It was not far and would be a vastly superior experience versus driving / parking there. Maybe if you stay in Cannon Beach at a hotel where parking is provided and then just explore the town (and the beach) on foot it would be fine.
We were driving north on Hwy 101 after lunch and a short hike near Manzanitas. I had noted some coastal landmarks to see on our drive, and of course Haystack Rock was among these. We got off Hwy 101 (northbound) and did a sort of cloverleaf 270-degree turn back under the highway to head the 1/4 mile to the town of Cannon Beach. It looked like there might be a few spaces to park near this underpass (along the road).
We approached the stop sign at the main intersection in town. Traffic was heavy. We managed to make a left turn and headed parallel to the beach. Over some intervening homes / hotels we soon could see Haystack Rock. However, there was NOWHERE to park (at least nowhere that had spaces). We circled around, tried some side roads, etc. No luck. And this was on a Thursday at around 1:30 p.m.!
We soon gave up and opted to just look for a public restroom before getting back on 101. This proved almost equally difficult. We ended up just parking in front of someone's driveway and I waited while others walked half a block to the facilities.
I would not drive in Cannon Beach again if I returned here. At best, I would consider parking near the initial 101 underpass and walking the rest of the way. It was not far and would be a vastly superior experience versus driving / parking there. Maybe if you stay in Cannon Beach at a hotel where parking is provided and then just explore the town (and the beach) on foot it would be fine.
Written August 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ernie S
Orange County, CA1,517 contributions
May 2022
It was a long walk from our inn situated in north Cannon Beach but worth the effort to see Haystack Rock up close. The rock is surprisingly green and lush, with meadows on top, and most interesting is a huge nesting area for many sea birds. The highlight of my visit was watching thousands of birds screech in alarm, then fill the sky in a black cloud of panic. Out of this swarming body of birds came one figure, a Bald Eagle, clutching an unfortunate nesting bird. It was an amazing closeup view of raw Nature.
Written June 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arjun S
St. Paul, United States157 contributions
Jun 2021
The beach is a popular spot for many to sit by a bonfire and watch the sunset. The rock itself is beautiful and adds perspective to the endless Pacific Ocean. Dress warmly and be prepared for a potential sprinkle of rain.
Written June 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RVtherenow
Lake Geneva, WI99 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
We came just to view this rock. We were pleasantly surprised to find special RV parking just a few blocks from the beach. We were worried because the electronic construction signs coming into town said expect crowds and no parking. I wish we brought our dogs with because everything is so dog friendly including the beach!
Written August 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KC Rodriguez
6 contributions
Jun 2020 • Family
Really cool. Low tide showed very diverse marine life in the tide pools. Watching all the birds take off was really cool, especially the puffins. The guards of the rock were so nice and helpful when my kids asked questions about the animals.
Written June 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
That’s a difficult one. I can tell you that we parked in the well-signposted car park and walked to the beach. We spent about half an hour walking towards and near Haystack Rock then another half hour or so walking back. To be honest you could spend all day watching the waves and scenery - or just a few minutes depending on how you feel about that. They are actively discouraging visitors to climb the rock, but it looks pretty reachable if the tide were out.
Written May 22, 2022
What is the area called 1 mile south of haystack with caves and waterfalls that is mentioned in a review? Is there a viewpoint or area to park instead of walking 1 mile down the beach?
Written November 18, 2018
Hug Point beach has a small parking lot. Go at low tide.
Written November 19, 2018
Can you park your car on this beach? Not overnight, just for a few hours during the day. We don’t want to drive around it. Just want somewhere warm to enjoy the view.
Written March 27, 2018
If you park on the Main Street near Haystack Rock, it’s a really short walk down to the beach.
Written March 29, 2018
Best to check the internet, as it varies day to day.. enjoy...!
Written August 17, 2017
Hi, what is the Goonie's Rock? Is that from a movie?
Written August 7, 2017
Haystack Rock was featured in the film at the end on the beach. The cave however was a set. The cave at Haystack Rock is part of the Reserve and is off limits for entry. During super negative tides it is visible and can be viewed from the south side of the rock.
Written March 6, 2018
How far is Haystack from The Waves Motel?
We are considering staying there and would llike to be able to walk to Haystack.
Written August 22, 2016
Hello, Waves Motel is one mile from Haystack Rock. Pretty long walk. Enjoy Cannon Beach, it is a very nice place to visit and see.
Written August 24, 2016
What is the parking situation at Haystack Rock in August? We will be traveling in a 28' RV from Astoria to Tillamook. We plan to stop and explore Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock for the day. Thanks
Written April 18, 2016
On the south end of Cannon Beach is Tolovana State Park with a parking lot next to the beach.
It can handle your RV but the lot fills early .
There is also an RV parking area in downtown Cannon Beach behind the visitors information center.
Written April 18, 2016
We are a family of four with two teenage girls. Is it recommended to spend the night or nights in Cannon Beach or is it possible to just spend the day there then drive back to hotel in Portland. I understand its about a 90 minute drive each way.
Thank you
Written February 6, 2016
If you are looking to explore the tide pools the best practice is to check with the Haystack Rock Awareness Program for their beach schedule and tide tables and plan to come two hours in advance of low tide so you have sufficient time to explore before the tide comes back in. The group also accepts volunteers of all ages with no time commitments. Volunteering as a family is a great way to get to know the Rock and surrounding Marine Garden!
Written March 6, 2018
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