Discover Rockaway Beach

Beach and Nature

The sandy beach in Rockaway Beach stretches for seven miles, and visitors can go beachcombing there. This makes the coastal stretch both a distinctive landscape and a place for a specific beach activity.

The Old Growth Cedar Trail leads into a nature preserve whose land has never been developed. It winds through an old coastal forest and ends at a giant cedar after an easy hike of about one mile. The approximate distance and easy rating give you practical points of reference for fitting the trail into your day. Alongside the beach, this offers a clearly defined hiking destination with its own natural character.

Twin Rocks also shape the landscape. Millions of years of erosion wore down the once-connected formation into its present shape. Minnehaha Street offers the best view of Twin Rocks and is also the closest viewpoint on solid ground. The rocks are less than half a mile away. Their formation history and the viewpoint are two different ways to appreciate the same formation: one explains its shape, while the other situates the viewpoint in town.

Local History and Events

The historic Natatorium stood where Rockaway Beach Wayside is today. The original swimming pool remains beneath the Wayside parking lot. At this named location, a former building and a surviving part of its facility come together. The history of the Pronto Pup is also connected to Rockaway Beach: George and Versa Boyington invented it there in the late 1930s. This adds a specific connection to local food history to the architectural and local history.

The Rockaway Beach Kite Festival is an annual tradition in Rockaway Beach. At special workshops, children can learn to build kites. If you want to include the festival in your travel plans, check the current dates before your trip. For families, the tradition of taking the train to Rockaway Beach dates back to the 1920s. The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad offers regular excursions between Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach, following a section of the former Port of Tillamook Bay rail line. Check with the operator for dates and availability if you plan to take a ride.

More Places to Find Your Way Around

Lake Lytle covers 65 acres and is located within the city of Rockaway Beach on Oregon’s north coast. Manhattan Beach State Recreation Site is a day-use park at 8845 Beach Street, Rockaway Beach, Oregon 97136. Alongside the beach and coastal forest hike, these named places provide additional points of reference: a lake within the city and a day-use park with a specific address.

Discover more destinations: Cloverdale, Garibaldi, Nehalem, Neskowin, Manzanita, Cape Meares, Tillamook, Netarts

For the broader travel overview: Tillamook County.