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Oregon (OR)
Oregon Coast
Tillamook
Things to Do in Tillamook
Cape Lookout State Park
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Cape Lookout State Park

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Cape Lookout State Park
4.5
381
#1 of 19 things to do in Tillamook
State Parks
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8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Coastal park offering opportunities for whale watching.
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Top ways to experience Cape Lookout State Park and nearby attractions

The area
Address
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Attractions
5 within 6 miles
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98
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
381 reviews
Excellent
257
Very good
101
Average
13
Poor
4
Terrible
6
Jasmine38Chichester UK
Chichester, UK1,736 contributions
Don't bother if it looks like fog is approaching!
Aug 2022 • Couples
My husband set out on the 5 mile out and back trail to the Cape Lookout on a sunny afternoon around 3pm and by the time we got to the end a dense fog rolled in and we literally couldn't see a thing!

Apparantly this is quite common and the cape almost has its own micro climate. Aside from not being able to take in the view it meant it turned very cold and we kept hitting little patches of rain that was almost like ice.

The trail is classed as moderate as there is some incline, mainly on the return and lots if tree roots. The latter half of the trail is also very muddy.

Written August 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Christina H
San Carlos, Mexico239 contributions
Great hiking spot
Sep 2022
This location has a lot to offer. There seemed to be numerous spots for camping, either tent or RV. In addition to that, it's a great spot to just hang out on the beach. We parked there and hiked the spit, basically a 12 mile round trip hike along the beach to the end of the spit, and then a great view of Netarts Bay. It's obviously level ground because you're on the beach, but a very enjoyable hike with the sounds of the ocean!
Written September 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Cello12345
Urbana, IL405 contributions
Rainforest
Sep 2022
We did a short hike from the parking area at the top of the bluff, taking the trail to the left. The trail had many switchbacks going down the steep hill, and passed through very lush vegetation. We saw many large banana slugs! Expect to get your feet a bit muddy - the path was made of rich, organic soil that seemed to be damp all the time.
Written September 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sally P
Corvallis, OR7 contributions
Mob of Noisy, Crowded Campsites
Aug 2022 • Solo
The campsites were very close together so I did expect a bit of crowding. I did not expect the neighbors on one side to have their three tenants lined up approximately 10 feet from my driveway, table, and campfire ring. Their “potty tent” was probably 6 feet from my table. The neighbors from the other side were actually in my campsite tearing up dried grass from under the table to try to put in their smoky fire. The pictures I posted show how close the campsites are together. I would absolutely never go here again in the summertime. Mosquitoes too. It appears that many campsites were over the limit of eight campers per side.
Written August 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Burt H
Seattle, WA32 contributions
Beautiful views, hazardous ankle-twisting trail with no services or facilities at the end view point
Jul 2022
More information about the hike should be provided at the parking area. The hike out is about 1.5 hours and the destination is just a patch of dirt at the top of the cliff. There are no bathrooms, water, anything. Bring toilet paper and water if you think you will need it. The views are great, binoculars recommended.

I'd call this Cape Ankle Buster. The second half of the hike out has more tree roots snaking about on it than any trail I can remember. You must be VERY careful placing your feet between them so you don't trip and fall. Do not step on the roots if you can avoid it because they are super slick unless it has been dry for several days. I recommend high-top hiking boots with ankle support. After the hike I found my abdomen core really was sore due to the constant body twisting to get thru the tree roots. Because there are no services or other access or help along the trail take this seriously. If you twist your ankle on a tree root it is a hella long way back to the parking lot.
Written July 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Debbie P
Boynton Beach, Florida, United States311 contributions
Hiking with spectacular scenery
May 2021
Went hiking with my adult family and made it most of the way down, but the trail was very slick in some parts from rain and we had a couple of minor falls. The trail itself is very well cared for and a mostly easy hike if you are wearing the proper shoes (which a couple of us were not). The views of the mountains, huge trees, and the ocean/beach were simply breathtaking. I would highly recommend making the drive to check it out. The pictures do it no justice.
Written June 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TravelingAmos
New Jersey576 contributions
Nice beach
Aug 2021
We set out to drive the Three Capes Scenic Loop. We made it to Cape Mears and here, Cape Lookout. If you want to walk on the beach and maybe dip your toes in the water, this is the place. If you from the East Coast or used to warmer waters, be prepared for something different. Even in August, the water was so cold that my feet were starting to feel numb after only a minute or two.
Written September 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Wayne L
Perry Hall, MD13 contributions
Coast Trail Was Majestic
Jul 2021
Cape Lookout was a great visit as we travelled down the Coast. The noted North Trail was closed the day of our visit, so we opted for the Coast Trail (4.6 miles RT) over the shorter South Coast Trail.

Took about 2.5 hours over easy to moderate terrain (tree roots, some soft mud spots, no big deal for mid-50s Dad) and was rewarded with wonderful views South, and a some views North. It was a wonderful reveal at the end, to be at the point of the cape looking West over the Pacific.

Trail was better than Ecola State Park, slightly below Samuel L Boardman.
Written July 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jcwill5
McMinnville, OR309 contributions
Outstanding Beach Camping Spot
Aug 2020 • Friends
My son and I camped for three nights and were super pleased with our experience here. We did the long beach walk north to the end of the sand spit, the shorter beach walk south to the caves and tide pools, and took the long hike up to the cape lookout trail head and then out to the cape (9.4 miles round-trip). Our tent camping site was clean, well laid out, and offered running water, a picnic table, and fire ring. We were graced with bright sunny days and a clear night for star gazing on the beach. This is a real gem of a park, and they have a really fine day use area, too, for one day visitors. We highly recommend it!
Written August 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Alan S
Portland, OR13 contributions
Okay to Good but be aware and prepared
Jul 2012 • Couples
We stayed at Cape Lookout for three nights in the middle of the second week in July 2012. The valley was having sunny 80 something degree weather but on the coast it was 60 degrees and overcast most of the time. We picked a camp site unseen based on some reviews and map of the campground. Camp sites are rather close to one another (with a few exceptions) even though on the map they look to be somewhat apart.

The rangers were friendly and very helpful when we arrived.

Sections A & B are closest to the surf and if you are lucky, there is a bit of brush or a tree between you and your neighbors. If you like that kind of camping, cool, we don't. Sections C & D have more brush and trees but most of the sites were divided only by several more bushes and trees than Sections A & B. If you are looking for some degree of seclusion, I recommend the following sites: D35 (The site we stayed in, bring a rope and blanket for one side), D32, D30, D49 (an RV is on one side behind some trees), D55 (a bit close to the road) and D56 (also a bit close to the road and could be windy as there is little cover from the ocean side).

There is a small stream running through much of the D section and behind many of the sites, I called this "the swamp" because it is full of skunk cabbage (not in bloom when we were there thank the heavens). The mosquitoes actually weren't very bad at all, sure, we were bitten a little but we didn't even use a repellent. Either they treat the swamp, or we just timed our visit right. Recommendation: Bring bug repellent.

Several of the camp sites on D section had some mud or soggy ground and a few had graveled covering these wet areas. Our neighbors told us that they'd been told that there'd been a recent unexpected downpour and it has flooded several of the campsites. Now that would be nasty! I noticed that in many campsites in D section the swamp was right along side or behind and all it would take is a good rain to cause the water to rise and creep into the campsites. Recommendation: Tarps just in case and don't even consider in the rainy season.

You can hear the ocean in D section at night when it is quiet, that was nice. We took our three terriers on this camping trip and they all did very well.

Restroom, the best thing I can say about them is they were functional, running cold water and two sets of electrical plugs. I can't say anything else about them. We didn't use the showers, heated water and washed up in the tent.

There are NO campground trash containers, so you have to accumulate your own and deposit it all the way up front at the ranger's station/entrance along with recyclable containers. Recommendation: Bring trash bags.

We bought three bundles of firewood from the campground at $5 each. It was hard to split into smaller pieces and sometimes impossible because most of it was from small trees (knots). When split the wood was moist to the touch and very difficult to burn. Our only saving grace was that we had brought along some good dry wood and several commercial fireplace logs (sawdust and wax). Burning our good wood and the fireplace logs (cut in half or thirds) kept the moist wood going and helped dry out the rest that we leaned against the metal fire pit. Our neighbors didn't have as much luck with their fires even with gathering up dry sticks to help the fire. Recommendation: Bring your own wood and/or fireplace logs.

It was fun being close to the ocean and we might be back, pick one of the more secluded campsites, go when it is not likely to be any rain, bring wood and fireplace logs. I don't like the rating system here, average plus would be how I'd rate Cape Lookout, or, a very good but you'd better be aware and prepared.
Written July 16, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Cape Lookout State Park (Tillamook) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Cape Lookout State Park
Cape Lookout State Park is open:
  • Mon - Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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We recommend booking Cape Lookout State Park tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 2 Cape Lookout State Park tours on Tripadvisor