Short Sand Beach
Short Sand Beach lives up to the hype. Despite being one of the most popular beaches on the Oregon Coast, it feels surprisingly remote. Cliffs and hills surround Smuggler’s Cove, screening it from signs of human development. Even when the crowds descend on beautiful summer weekends (and wow do they!), it’s easy to forget that Cannon Beach is only ten minutes away. I’ve been about half a dozen times and each time feels like a discovery. A small waterfall tumbles into the ocean at one end of the beach while Neahkahnie Mountain rises steeply on the other. The short and easy hike to get there adds to the feeling of seclusion. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Short Sand Beach in Oswald West State Park.
Blumenthal Falls on Short Sand Beach
Know before you go
It’s free to visit Short Sand Beach. You don’t need a pass to park.
Arrive early on summer weekends. The parking lots fill up and parking isn’t allowed along Highway 101.
Leashed dogs are welcome on the trails in Oswald West State Park. They can be off-leash on the beach.
Restrooms are next to the main Oswald West parking lot and at Short Sand Beach. Benches and picnic tables overlook the beach.
Short Sand Beach is a great kid-friendly destination. The Short Sand Beach Trail would be a bit awkward but doable with a stroller or wagon. The other trails to the beach are too uneven.
The trailheads
Several trails lead to Short Sand Beach. All of them are about 0.6 miles long. If you visit on a busy day, park wherever you can find a spot. Here are the options:
The easiest and most direct way to Short Sand Beach is from the main parking lot for Oswald West State Park. It’s the large lot on the east side of Highway 101 called Oswald West Lot 20 on Google Maps. It has bathrooms and the most parking. From here, take the Short Sand Beach Trail.
Just south of the main parking lot is a second, smaller lot on the west side of Highway 101 for the Short Sand South Trailhead. The hike that starts here is similar to the Short Sand Beach Trail, just with less intuitive trail names. Take the Necarney Creek Trail to the Sitka Spruce Trail. It will meet up with the Short Sand Beach Trail toward the end. It helps to have a map on your phone.
North of the main parking lot is a smaller lot for the Cape Falcon Trailhead. You can make a short detour from the Cape Falcon Trail to Short Sand Beach. This way is a little harder in terms of terrain. I’d only start here if I also wanted to hike to Cape Falcon (5 miles out and back) or if the other parking lots are full.
Shore crab on Short Sand Beach
Short Sand Beach Trail
Distance: 1.2 miles out and back
Elevation gain: 100 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Pass required: None
Dog friendly: Yes
ADA access: No
Season: All year
The details
I’m starting the directions from the main parking lot since it’s the largest lot and most straightforward route. The trail begins by the big sign at the north end of the parking lot.
Start here
Follow the trail under the bridge. You’ll be able to cross Highway 101 without worrying about the cars.
Trailhead
When you reach Short Sand Creek, follow the sign toward the Short Sand Beach Trail. One of this trail’s advantages is how clear the directions are. Every junction has a sign pointing you toward the beach.
Head left at the sign
The Short Sand Beach Trail follows the creek through an old-growth Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and cedar forest. Moss covers the branches and trunks of some truly colossal trees. Young trees grow from giant nurse stumps. The undergrowth is thick with ferns, salal, false lily of the valley, sorrel, and skunk cabbage. Look for wildflowers along the trail in spring.
Short Sand Beach Trail
You’ll be heading gradually downhill as you approach Short Sand Beach. Unlike the mess of roots on the Cape Falcon Trail, the terrain is nice and even. You’ll pass a few trail junctions. Follow the signs toward the beach.
Keep right toward the beach
At the end of the trail, cross the bridge over Short Sand Creek. The beach is just ahead.
Cross here
The trail ends at Short Sand Beach’s picnic area. Sitka spruce trees shade benches and tables overlooking the ocean. You can pause here for a snack break or head down to the water.
Beach access
Short Sand Beach runs along Smuggler’s Cove, a protected pocket between Cape Falcon and the Neahkahnie cliffs. The headlands around the cove help shield it from strong ocean winds, making it one of the most popular surfing spots on the Oregon Coast. The phenomenal scenery doesn’t hurt either. Although there’s no evidence that smugglers came here beyond vague rumors, it certainly looks like a place where pirates and rumrunners would hide out.
Short Sand Beach from the Cape Falcon Trail
Short Sand Beach isn’t a place you go to find solitude. I’ve never been close to having the beach to myself, even during winter, in the rain, and on weekdays. On summer weekends, it’s packed, which isn’t a deal killer. There’s enough room to spread out and the impressive scenery makes it easy to overlook the crowds. I’d say going earlier in the morning is your best bet if you’re looking for a quiet time. I arrived early on my last visit to get pictures. Most people started arriving a little after 10 AM. The afternoon was a lot busier than the morning.
Short Sand Creek
Once you’re on Short Sand Beach, it’s worth taking some time to explore. At high tide, the ocean laps onto the cobbles. Low tide exposes a wide swathe of sand. At the north end of the beach, Cape Falcon extends about a half mile into the ocean. These cliffs are where you’ll find 60-foot Blumenthal Falls. Although not one of Oregon’s tallest or most powerful waterfalls, it has an undeniable charm as it tumbles into the ocean. You’ll see the lowest of its three tiers from Short Sand Beach.
Blumenthal Falls and Cape Falcon
At low tide, you can find some interesting tidepools near the base of Blumenthal Falls. Look for barnacles, mussels, anemones, sea stars, and shore crabs.
Giant green anemones at Short Sand Beach
Looking south, you’ll see Neahkahnie Mountain across Smuggler’s Cove.
Smuggler’s Cove
On the south side of the beach, Short Sand Creek flows out into the ocean. You’ll need to cross the creek to get to the cliffs at this end. It’s a bit tricky but possible to keep your feet dry with some rock hopping.
Short Sand Creek and Cape Falcon
Like Cape Falcon, the cliffs on the south side of Short Sand Beach are basalt from far-traveled lava flows that reached the coast millions of years ago. At low tide, you can find some intertidal critters here.
South end of Short Sand Beach
Cape Falcon from Short Sand Beach
Follow the arrow on the sign to find the Cape Falcon Trail
I have an article on the Cape Falcon hike, so I won’t go into much detail here. I’ll just mention the trail that connects Short Sand Beach to the Cape Falcon Trail. Start at the big sign by the beach access and follow the arrow toward Cape Falcon. From here, you’ll hike about a quarter mile on the connector trail to reach the Cape Falcon Trail. Keep left when you reach the junction. It’s about 2 miles (one-way) to reach the end of the cape from Short Sand Beach. The terrain is more challenging than the trail you took to the beach. It has lots of tree roots and sooooo much mud in fall, winter, and spring. The views at the end are spectacular.
Views from Cape Falcon
Getting there
All the parking areas for Short Sand Beach are directly off Highway 101 between Cannon Beach and Manzanita. Driving south, you’ll pass the Cape Falcon Trailhead lot first. It’ll be on your right. The main parking lot for Oswald West State Park is just ahead on your left. The south trailhead parking lot is just past the main lot. It’s on the right. The lots are in good shape and no problem with a low-clearance vehicle.
Enjoy your trip to Short Sand Beach!
With love,
Emma
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