Oceanside Beach State Recreation Site
🏆🏆🏆🏆 Hidden Coast Gem — Charming beach village with sea stacks, tide pools, and Three Arch Rocks seabird refuge
Oceanside Beach State Recreation Site provides beach access at the tiny village of Oceanside on the Three Capes Scenic Route. The beach features dramatic sea stacks, a natural tunnel through the headland to a hidden beach, and views of Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge — the largest common murre nesting colony on the Oregon Coast, with over 200,000 seabirds. The village of Oceanside (population ~300) retains a charming, uncommercialised character rare on the Oregon Coast.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Oceanside, Tillamook County, OR |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Feature | Natural tunnel to hidden beach! |
| Wildlife | Three Arch Rocks (200,000+ seabirds) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I go through the tunnel?
Yes — at low tide, you can walk through the natural tunnel in the headland to reach a secluded beach on the other side. Bring a flashlight and check the tide chart — the tunnel floods at high tide. It’s one of Oregon’s best-kept secrets.
About Oceanside Beach
Oceanside Beach State Recreation Site sits beneath the dramatic Three Arch Rocks — Oregon’s largest seabird colony. The rocks host over 230,000 nesting seabirds including common murres, tufted puffins, and cormorants. At low tide, a tunnel through the headland leads to a hidden beach — one of the Oregon coast’s most magical experiences.
Things to Do
Exploring the tunnel to the hidden beach at low tide, watching seabirds on Three Arch Rocks (binoculars recommended), tidepooling, and beachcombing. The charming village of Oceanside has a popular café overlooking the rocks.
Insider Tips
Secret tunnel: At low tide, you can walk through a natural tunnel in the rock to a hidden beach on the north side — one of the Oregon coast’s best-kept secrets. Pro tip: Timing is critical — the tunnel is only passable at lower tides. Check tide tables and never enter on a rising tide. Three Arch Rocks: The offshore rocks are a National Wildlife Refuge — home to 230,000 seabirds.
Best Time to Visit
Summer minus tides: Best access to the tunnel beach. Spring: Seabird nesting on Three Arch Rocks. Fall: Clear weather and fewer crowds. Winter: Storm watching but tunnel impassable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tunnel safe?
Only at low tide — check NOAA tide tables before entering. The tunnel floods at higher tides and incoming waves can be dangerous. Never turn your back on the ocean. Flashlights are helpful but not required on clear days.
Wildlife & Nature
Oceanside — a tiny, picturesque village perched on cliffs above a crescent beach — offers one of the most charming beach experiences on the Oregon coast. A tunnel through the headland leads to a secluded beach accessible only at low tide — creating a genuine hidden beach experience. The offshore Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge — Oregon’s first national wildlife refuge (established 1907 by Theodore Roosevelt) — supports the largest colony of tufted puffins and common murres south of Alaska. Over 230,000 seabirds nest on the rocks. Steller sea lions breed on the rocks — their territorial roaring carries across the water. The village’s elevation provides excellent whale watching without binoculars during peak migration.
Nearby Attractions
Cape Meares State Park — with the Octopus Tree and lighthouse — is adjacent. Tillamook Creamery — Oregon’s most visited attraction — is 10 minutes south. Three Capes Scenic Loop connects Oceanside to Cape Lookout and Cape Kiwanda. Tillamook Air Museum occupies a massive WWII blimp hangar. Cape Lookout State Park offers the dramatic 2.5-mile cape trail. Bayocean Peninsula — a ghost town lost to erosion — provides eerie hiking. Roseanna’s Café in Oceanside offers beachfront dining.
🕳️ Visit Oceanside Beach SRS
Oregon’s secret tunnel beach — walk through rock to a hidden cove with 200,000 seabirds.
