If you recognize this jagged sea stack silhouetted against its wide sandy shore, there’s a good chance you’ve watched the movie, “The Goonies”. The prominent feature, Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach, was a featured setting in the iconic 1985 movie.
This stretch of the Oregon coast is what many people picture when they hear the name “Cannon Beach.” National Geographic named the area as one of its 100 Most Beautiful Places in the World.
Location and name
Even if you’re not familiar with the movie, you may well have heard about Cannon Beach. It’s a small coastal city in Clatsop County on Oregon’s coast. It’s roughly an hour-and-a-half northwest of Portland and a short drive south of Astoria. The beachside town hugs a long, walkable shoreline where Haystack Rock sits close enough to reach at low tide.
The “Cannon” in Cannon Beach comes from an actual cannon (or cannons) which reportedly washed ashore in the mid-1800s when a U.S. Navy schooner wrecked. The story stuck, and the name was officially adopted in the late 1800s. A replica and the original artifacts are preserved by local history groups.
What to do
There’s a lot to do when visiting this beautiful area. See for yourself!
Walk out to Haystack Rock at low tide to explore tidepools alive with sea stars, anemones, and crabs. Volunteers with the Haystack Rock Awareness Program run interpretive sessions in spring and summer that make tide pooling safer and more interesting.
Head into Ecola State Park for old-growth forest trails and dramatic viewpoints (including Ecola Point and Indian Beach). Or take short hikes that drop to secluded beaches, and classic overlooks photographers love.
Spot seabirds and seasonal tufted puffins from shore. (Spring through early summer is prime puffin season.) Keep binoculars handy for whale and bird watching along the horizon. Haystack Rock is protected as part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge and is a seabird hotspot.
Walk Hemlock Street and Old Town for galleries, local crafts, glassblowing demonstrations, and independent boutiques. Or stop by one of the local cafés that give Cannon Beach that small-town arts community vibe. Time your beach visit to end at sunset. Your photograph of Haystack Rock will be a great trip memory.
If you like surfing, strap on a wetsuit and head out. The area sees consistent surf, and there are local shops that rent gear and give lessons. Kayaking, fat-biking on packed sand, and guided wildlife boat trips are other ways to experience the coast. Check tide charts and local outfitters before you go.
Practical tips for visiting Cannon Beach
Parking near Haystack Rock fills early on summer weekends. Plan to arrive before peak midday hours or use public lots and walk in. Tides dictate much of the fun, so check local tide charts and the Haystack Rock Awareness Program schedule if tide pooling is on your list. Stormy-season visits are dramatic and far less crowded, but be prepared for wind and rain.
RV parks near Cannon Beach
• Cannon Beach RV Resort. This is a full-service, family-friendly resort. It offers RVers full hookups for large rigs, an indoor pool and hot tub, clubhouse/game room, laundry, and Wi-Fi. Plus, the camp has a pedestrian underpass that makes walking into town easy. It’s one of the largest and most convenient RV options for staying within easy walking distance of Haystack Rock and Hemlock Street.
• Wright’s for Camping. This small, wooded campground features clean restrooms and free hot showers, picnic tables, fire rings, laundry and a welcoming family-run vibe. RV sites are roomy and shaded, and the beach and downtown are a short walk away. Note: Wright’s accepts some RVs but does not offer full hookups.
• The Retreat at Cannon Beach (formerly Sea Ranch RV Park). The Retreat is set along a creek in the trees just a few blocks from town. This campground offers full-hookup RV sites, pet-friendly policies, cabin rentals, clean facilities, and Wi-Fi. Its woodland setting feels restful and at the same time, restaurants and shops are within easy reach. Recent updates and remodel plans are underway under new ownership.
Reserve ahead
Most RV parks on or near Cannon Beach fill up in the summer months and during festivals, so reserving ahead is strongly recommended. If you require a laundromat, dump station, or large-site availability, call your preferred park directly. Sites and services vary by season and may change with renovations or ownership updates.
Cannon Beach’s downtown area is compact and walkable. The RV resorts give you quick access without fighting Highway 101 traffic.
Have you visited Cannon Beach? Tell us about your experience using the comments below.
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RVT1238
It is beautiful area and nice beach but booking a site several months in advance is a must in the warm months!
These days, I just drive on through because it’s such a tourist trap. A couple years ago, a cougar was up on the rock, after birds, I assume. I would have loved to see that. He was watched until he (or she) came down and left the area. The dory boats are fun to watch. The last time I went to Ecola, there was no room to park an RV, and it’s a very curvy road. I did see some elk there. Need good binoculars to see Terrible Tilly, the lighthouse.