Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area
Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area
Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area
4.5
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17 within 3 miles
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9 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
279 reviews
Excellent
209
Very good
60
Average
7
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Jennifer R
Dallas, OR12 contributions
Mar 2021
Love Cape Kiwanda, it's a gorgeous place, particularly if you climb the dune at the base of the cape for the best view. Get in shape first, though, it's quite a climb! Bonuses: Sometimes you'll see dory boats, surfers, and even whales. There are restaurants, bars, a brewery, bakeries, coffee shops, a surf shop, cannabis dispensaries, and art galleries in the small town of Pacific City.
Written March 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
back2Idaho
Caldwell, ID317 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
After having lived in the Tillamook and Lincoln County areas for nearly 40 years, we were very saddened to see that beach access is no longer free. At least in the Pacific City area. There is a $10 parking fee at almost every possible place to park in and near town with beach access. And it doesn't matter if you are the only vehicle there on a terrible stormy day. We could understand parking fees on summer weekends and holidays, as well as for special events. Pacific City used to be a magical place to visit and to enjoy the beach, the dunes, the dory boats, etc. Now it is a place to avoid. What a shame.
Written November 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
timrage00
Portland, OR74 contributions
Dec 2020
This place is not really advertised or labelled. you need to park in the public lot next to the Pelican Brewery at Pacific City and walk down the beach to the Dune. Once there, you can go straight up, or veer either right or left; it seems the left side is the most gradual incline, which was important to us. There are no railings or improvements and it can be tough hiking up the sand. But worth it for the view.
Written December 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Have Camera, Will Travel
South Bend, IN3,680 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
We stayed up the beach at the Kiwanda Cove area in an AirBNB and walked the beach to CKSNA and checked out the exposed rock at low tide. These were the best tide pools that we saw on our trip with hundreds of starfish and a wild assortment of wildlife. I walked up the dune to the top to get some cool pictures and we enjoyed watching the surfers do their thing. There was not a lot of wind the morning that we walked down there, which was nice, since the evening before we had to deal with blowing sand by our rental house.
Written October 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John J
2 contributions
Mar 2022 • Family
Got an email a week before, stating rate increase. However, honored old rate upon arrival. Pizza place closed, bathrooms smelly, water backup in showers, if working, floors filthy, sinks, if working were disgusting. Lots of stalls out of toilet paper. Most keypads not working properly either. Pool, spa closed along with the gym, until further notice. BUT still paying for it. So, you get less amenities AND you increase the price?!
Here is the bathroom checklist, that I took on 3/24/22. The last time it was cleaned was on 3/18/22.
This park has definitely gone down hill with the new owners and after 14 years of taking our family here for spring break, we will not be returning.
Here is the bathroom checklist, that I took on 3/24/22. The last time it was cleaned was on 3/18/22.
This park has definitely gone down hill with the new owners and after 14 years of taking our family here for spring break, we will not be returning.
Written March 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anthony C
Broomfield, CO3 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Had a great weekend visit to Pacific City, Oregon with a stay at the Surf & Sand Inn, a cute retro motel right on the main road into town. We didn't know it when we arrived, but we came in time for the bid Dory Days celebration which had a nice parade and all of the dory boats were shown off and lots of candy tossed to the kids on the streets. We of course went to the Pelican Brewery which has the best view in the world overlooking Haystack Rock and the ocean. Great beer, tourist priced food, very pricey! Had great fish and chips at the Sportsman Pub, local hangout and prices. Truly a locals bar which serves up big portions of pub grub. Took a short drive up the coast to Tillamook and stopped at the cheese factory. A must see just for the samples! Looking forward to another visit!
Written July 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bentleythebloodhound
Walla Walla, WA62 contributions
Jun 2020 • Couples
My favorite spot on the Oregon Coast!! The hill is awesome and the beach is so beautiful. Great restaurant near by. Lots of dogs and people during the weekend and then we had the beach to ourselves (almost) during the week. This was our first visit to this area and we already booked our fall trip!
Written June 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MommaSays71
4 contributions
Jun 2020
We've been coming to this beach for the past 5 summers. Although it can be busy and cars are allowed on the beach, there are four very special attributes that come to mind. The pristine beach has a tidepool area where at low tide you can find so many wonderful sea creatures you will keep your kids entertained for hours! When the tide is high, I like to just sit on the rocks and watch the beauty of the waves coming in. It is an excellent location for building sandcastles. I have seen so many variations of sandcastles and what's even more heartwarming, so many collaborations take form on the beach through the building of sandcastles. There is an enormous sand dune at the end of the beach which if you can climb, allows for breathtaking 180-degree views of the sea. It's pretty exciting to see the fisherman drive their dory boats in every afternoon with their catch.
Written June 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LisaMNUSA
Saint Paul, MN1,056 contributions
Sep 2022
The sand dune looks tall, we walked to a lower point first, and didn’t think it was difficult. We walked along the fence, looked at the area, it was beautiful. We were there at high tide, so we didn’t see any tide pools. It was worth the time to visit here. $10 to pay at a machine.
Written September 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RachelRoamsAround
Tacoma, WA236 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
We stopped at Cape Kiwanda while driving the Three Capes Scenic Route. We drove from Neskowin, so Cape Kiwanda was our first stop. If you watch the tide times, you can visit the tide pools which were amazing! I cannot say enough good things about the tide pools.
Please, don’t be like some people and climb in top of them-it kills living things. Also, parents-watch your children and teach them how to appropriately touch the starfish and other sea creatures (sea slugs, fish, sea anemones, etc.)
Please, don’t be like some people and climb in top of them-it kills living things. Also, parents-watch your children and teach them how to appropriately touch the starfish and other sea creatures (sea slugs, fish, sea anemones, etc.)
Written July 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What time of the day is best to watch the Dory boats coming back in?
Written April 29, 2019
Yes there are--they are at the top of the parking lot. As you look back towards the road from the parking lot next to the Pelican Brewing Co, you'll see an unmarked, non-descript small building on the upper left. That's it. I've used it several times and it's a typical kinda-dirty-and-sandy, beachy restroom facility.
Written June 28, 2017
Can you swim at Cape Kiwanda? I've from the East Coast and we swim everywhere. I read a lot about picnicing, walking, tide pools and sightseeing, but nothing about swimming. Is is different at Cape Kiwanda? Is the water too rough, too much debris? If so, is there a beach close to Cape Kiwanda where you CAN swim? Thanks - from an East Coaster
Written January 18, 2017
I think you can swim - I've seen plenty of folks wading in the surf when its not too rough. I think why folks don't swim is that the mornings are foggy & the afternoons are windy & finally the water is COLD! Also I'd be careful for rip tides & swimming close to the rocks where you could get seriously injured.
Written January 18, 2017
Where do you park to visit Cape Kiwanda?
Written May 24, 2016
A Tripadvisor member
Bend, Oregon
There is a large state-owned lot off Cape Kiwanda Drive and adjacent to the Pelican Pub and Inn at Cape Kiwanda. Parking on the beach south of the access ramp is also possible if conditions are appropriate (IE firm sand, tide considerations). North of the ramp is for dory boat launching only tho that restriction is often ignored.
Written May 27, 2016
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