Short Sand Beach Trail

Short Sand Beach Trail descends through an enchanting passage of old-growth Sitka spruce forest to one of the most beloved and protected beach coves on the Oregon coast, a sheltered crescent of dark sand that has been a premier surfing destination for Pacific Northwest surfers for decades. The short trail follows Necarney Creek through a forest of enormous antiquity, where towering Sitka spruce with massive fluted trunks create a canopy that filters the light and transforms the creek corridor into a green cathedral. The forest here is among the most impressive remaining old-growth coastal spruce in Oregon, protected within the state park from the logging that cleared much of the surrounding coastal forest in the twentieth century. The trail emerges at the beach to reveal a sheltered cove backed by forested headlands on both sides, the headlands of Cape Falcon to the north and Arch Cape to the south creating a natural amphitheater that reduces wind and provides protection from the predominant ocean swell. The beach is composed of dark basaltic sand and gravel, and the consistent wave quality has made it a gathering place for surfers of all ability levels. The cove atmosphere is festive on summer weekends with surfers, swimmers, and picnickers, while winter visits offer dramatic storm surf in a wild and nearly deserted setting. Camping at the adjacent primitive campsite allows for early morning access before the day crowds arrive.