Cape Lookout State Park
Cape Lookout State Park
4.5
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
About
Coastal park offering opportunities for whale watching.
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4.5
384 reviews
Excellent
259
Very good
101
Average
13
Poor
4
Terrible
7
Sally P
Corvallis, OR10 contributions
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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.
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debbie P
Boynton Beach, Florida, United States359 contributions
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelingAmos
New Jersey870 contributions
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wayne L
Perry Hall, MD14 contributions
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.
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cello12345
Urbana, IL778 contributions
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christina H
Netarts, OR279 contributions
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alan S
Portland, OR13 contributions
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.
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
776nic
Vancouver, Washington3 contributions
Jul 2019
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The first night we got there, we realized how RUDE, AGGRESSIVE, and DISCRIMINATING the staff is there. My husband was trying to hang a light to see the camp site better because a raccoon was trying to steal our dinner, when a staff member came in yelling at my husband to remove the light from the tree. My husband apologized profusely and takes full responsibility for not knowing we couldn't hang a light on the tree. Even after my husband apologized, the staff member who only referred to himself as the "Top Sawyer" of the park, kept repeating, "DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME????" and "DO I NEED TO REPEAT MYSELF TO YOU???" Just because my husband has an accent and brown skin! The staff member started talking to my husband in slow words and insulted my husband throughout the conversation as my husband remained humble and apologizing. During this time, our daughter got scared because it was dark and the TOP SAWYER was angry, she got up to stand close to me and fell, scraping up her entire arm, leg, and hand. She was bleeding everywhere and the TOP SAWYER had the audacity to tell us to put away our alcohol!! WE DONT DRINK and our daughter is a MINOR who fell because she was trying to move AWAY from the aggressive TOP SAWYER of the campground. The location needs to reevaluate who they hire and take some classes on how to treat human beings of other cultures.
Written July 15, 2019
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.
syrahgirl
Seaside, OR58,185 contributions
After touring the Tillamook Cheese Factory, we picked up some sub sandwiches at Subway and went to Cape Lookout State Park for a picnic. There are lots of walking paths that run along the ocean, an ample amount of picnic tables with beautiful oceanfront views and small cabins if you prefer to stay awhile at Cape Lookout.
We walked the trails and found one that led down to a very beautiful beach with lots of sand and rolling waves. This State Park is very nice for a few hours or an extended stay.
We walked the trails and found one that led down to a very beautiful beach with lots of sand and rolling waves. This State Park is very nice for a few hours or an extended stay.
Written August 6, 2007
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.
Is it worth going the week of Halloween? I'm sure it will still be beautiful but since it's cold will 4 kids be too bored to enjoy it?
Written August 27, 2019
I think the ocean is wonderful in a storm. I loved it when I was a kid in all weather. All beach trips were memory makers for me and my kids as they grew up.
Written August 27, 2019
I have a tent site reserved--A47. Can I use a teardrop trailer, or am I only allowed to use a tent?
Written June 27, 2019
Check with the Park itself, also might be on their website...
Written June 27, 2019
I have reserved space C51 for April 2018. I just purchased a 42" 5th Wheel Toyhauler. I know the pad is 50", but I am concerned about the width of the road to back it in or is there additional swing space? Thank you in advance for your info.
Written March 9, 2018
I would say the site is too short, that size is the total vehicle length of 50'. I've seen 60' rigs there, but that is about it. Measure your total length and give the site a call, they can help.
Written March 9, 2018
gordonrutter
Roseburg, Oregon
How are the RV/Trailer sites at this park? Easy access, space, etc?
Written July 29, 2017
Not much space, if any. Skinny road getting in
Written July 29, 2017
Can you put tent on RV site along with RV too ?
Written June 19, 2016
We have seen tents and trailers on the same site. There is also a limit of 2 cars per site.
Written June 19, 2016
Is cape lookout open for RV camping year around? Are Reservations required? Number of sites with full hook up?
Written February 27, 2016
It says on their website they have 35 full hookup sites, they are open year round, but no rv dump station in winter.
We haven't stayed there in an RV, but have tent camped lots of times and stayed in their yurts, which are really nice and comfortable! The park is beautiful and all the camp sites are great.
Written February 29, 2016
Does this campground have problems with bears? Will we need to bring a bear cannister?
Written August 10, 2015
We have camped there for two years in a row now and never had any problems with bears. Now chipmunks and squirrels raid your campsite often! Park recommends keeping food in containers and locked up in your car or tent at night. We use plastic rubber made type containers it makes it easy loading and unloading plus water proof. You will love the campground! There's park rangers around 24/7 if you ever have any questions. Enjoy your trip!
Written August 10, 2015
we are planning a trip to Cape Lookout campground in mid- August... is the wind a big problem when camping in one of the tent sites that close to the beach?
Written August 8, 2015
I live just 6 miles from the park and walked the 10 miles roundtrip on the beach from the park to the tip of Netarts Spit two days ago. There was negligible wind then. When there is wind the campsites are well protected by the dunes and trees. You will LOVE this park!
Written August 9, 2015
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