Hike The Sand Dune At Cape Kiwanda For A Beautiful Ocean View

The Oregon Coast offers up hundreds of magnificent views, and we’ll just never tire of them. If you’re in the northern part of the coast, you’ll definitely want to take the Three Capes Scenic Route, a 40-mile-long road that has three stunning capes and plenty of natural beauty. Along the way, make sure to stop at Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area, where you can take this sand dune hike:

Cape Kiwanda is the smallest of the three capes along the Three Capes Scenic Route, but make no mistake - even though it’s the smallest, it’s not lacking in majestic beauty.

David Kingham/flickr

The 185-acre Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area is a popular spot for tide pooling, picnicking, and kit flying. It’s also home to the Pacific Dory Fleet, and if you wake up early enough, you can watch them head out for a morning of fishing and crabbing.

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One of the favorite features of this park is the huge sand dune that towers high above the beach.

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Many visitors choose to hike up the dune to get a bird’s eye view of the ocean below. It’s a strenuous task, but well worth the effort.

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Anyone who’s ever been on a beach knows that walking through dry sand is challenging, and this walk comes with a 193-foot elevation. Luckily, it’s just half a mile up the dune. On a hot, summer day, make sure you have some water along.

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The higher you climb, the better the view! From up top, you’ll have an excellent ocean vista, and can see down the beach for miles. Don’t forget to bring along your camera or phone to capture this stunner.

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In fact, pretty much all of Cape Kiwanda is photo-worthy. From Haystack Rock (the other Haystack Rock) to tide pool treasures, to huge crashing waves, this place is simply magical.

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If you’re climbing and exploring the bluffs around the park, make sure to stay behind the fenced areas – the sandstone edges can crumble, and seven people have died from falls since 2009.