I’m not really a beach person; at least I wasn’t until I visited the Oregon coast. Nehalem Bay State Park has been our home this week and the campground here is awesome! We have a campsite in the trees and beach access a short walk from our camper door. However, the state park just five miles north has really stolen my heart! Oswald West State Park doesn’t allow overnight camping but does have incredible hiking trails. Most of the trailheads begin in the shadow of Neahkahnie Mountain; the tallest peak on the northern coast. The name Neahkahnie means “place of the creator”, and it does feel magical. The assortment of trails are varied and beautiful. Hiking to the top of the mountain takes you through open meadows, lush temperate rain forests and old growth coastal trees. The Sitka Spruce tree grows here and is the largest of the spruce species. The hike to Falcon Cove takes you by a pristine beach and ends with views of coves bordered by cliffs that drop hundreds of feet straight into the ocean. Factor in that we just happen to hit this rainy section of the coast during an unexpected dry period and you have nirvana!
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| Sitka Spruce |
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| Devil’s Cauldron |
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