Oregon Coast and Coast Range · Near Manzanita

Cape Falcon Trail

Cape Falcon Trail is a muddy Oregon Coast Trail headland hike in Oswald West State Park. Oregon State Parks lists the trail as 2.3 miles one way, which is 4.6 miles round trip if you return from the headland viewpoint. Documented elevation gain is 623 feet. The featured route is the signed Cape Falcon Trail to the viewpoint and back. A junction toward Short Sand Beach is a different outing and is not mixed into this mileage.

Google Maps directionsCheck official informationRead the That Oregon Life story
Aerial view of Cape Falcon and the forested Oregon Coast near Oswald West State Park
Cape Falcon. Photo by Eric Prado, CC BY 2.0.
  • DifficultyModerate
  • Distance4.6 mi round trip
  • Elevation gain623 ft
  • Nearest townManzanita

The place

Why Cape Falcon Trail is worth the stop

Cape Falcon Trail is a muddy Oregon Coast Trail headland hike in Oswald West State Park. Oregon State Parks lists the trail as 2.3 miles one way, which is 4.6 miles round trip if you return from the headland viewpoint. Documented elevation gain is 623 feet.

The featured route is the signed Cape Falcon Trail to the viewpoint and back. A junction toward Short Sand Beach is a different outing and is not mixed into this mileage.

What the experience feels like

Expect roots, deep mud, storm damage, and cliff edges. Remain on the signed trail and turn around at the headland viewpoint rather than following informal paths toward the drop. Parking at Oswald West can be limited and easy to miss from Highway 101; use a legal signed space only.

Pets must follow Oregon State Parks leash rules. Conditions are not live. Check the official park profile for storm closures and current notices before you leave.

This planning page is the trail-facts URL. The That Oregon Life Cape Falcon article remains the longer coast story and photography.

From our Oregon archive: Read That Oregon Life’s full story about this trail.

Trailhead map

Start at the verified public trailhead

Coordinates: 45.765800, -123.955300 · Open in Google Maps

The coordinates identify the documented public parking area or trailhead—not a summit, waterfall, or off-trail feature.

Know before you go

Practical trail information

Distance
4.6 mi round trip
Difficulty
Moderate
Route type
Out and back
Elevation gain
623 feet
Trailhead
Cape Falcon Trail trailhead
Parking
Use the signed public trailhead and park only in designated spaces. Verify road and lot status before leaving.
Permit
No quota hiking permit is normally required. A day-use parking permit is required at Oswald West State Park; purchase one on site and confirm current notices.
Fees
A valid Oregon State Parks day-use parking permit is required; one-day permits are sold on site.
Dogs
Pets in the park must be on a leash no longer than six feet, kept under physical control, and cleaned up after.
Restrooms
The Necarney Creek restroom is closed due to water-system issues; verify other facility availability before arrival.
Best season
Open for day use year-round. The Upper Short Sand Creek Trail is closed, the Necarney Creek suspension bridge has been removed, and storm damage can affect connecting routes.
Key hazards
Deep mud, roots, storm damage, cliff edges, and limited parking are frequent concerns.

No star ratings

Why this is rated moderate

The moderate rating reflects 4.6 mi round trip with more effort, uneven tread, or access rules than a short developed walk. Match the group to the official route, not just the number on the card.

EasyShort, signed, and relatively straightforward when conditions match the official description.
ModerateMore mileage, elevation, uneven tread, or access rules that require preparation.
HardSteep, exposed, long, or otherwise consequential travel where turning around is part of good judgment.

Protect the place

Leave No Trace at Cape Falcon Trail

Trails, meadows, and viewpoints wear down quickly when people cut switchbacks, wander off the route, or leave waste behind. Keep this outing on durable, legal ground.

  • Stay on the signed trail, use established viewpoints, and respect every closure.
  • Pack out food scraps, dog waste, toilet paper, and everything else you bring.
  • Leave rocks, plants, wood, and historic features where they are.
  • Keep soap, food, and sunscreen out of streams, and give wildlife and other visitors room.
Read our complete guide to the seven Leave No Trace principles

Trail questions

Frequently asked questions about Cape Falcon Trail

How long is the Cape Falcon Trail?

Oregon State Parks lists Cape Falcon Trail as 2.3 miles one way, or 4.6 miles round trip to the headland viewpoint and back.

Do you need a parking permit at Cape Falcon?

Yes. Oswald West State Park requires a day-use parking permit, available for purchase on site. Park only in a designated Highway 101 lot.

Are any Oswald West trails or facilities closed?

The park remains open for day use, but Oregon State Parks lists the Upper Short Sand Creek Trail as closed, the Necarney Creek suspension bridge as removed, and the Necarney Creek restroom as closed. Check the current notice before combining routes.

Are dogs and drones allowed at Oswald West?

Pets in the park must be on a leash no longer than six feet and under physical control. Drones are prohibited to protect nesting shorebirds.

From our Oregon archive

Continue planning with That Oregon Life’s existing trail reporting, photography, regional guides, and nearby trip ideas.

More in the region

More Oregon trail guides in this region

Trail lengths are shown below; these are regional suggestions, not distances from this trail.

Official Oregon State Parks trail guide reviewed September 15, 2026.

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