Oswald West State Park
Oswald West State Park is a public state park in Oregon near Manzanita. Spanning 2,448 acres and established in 1958, this park offers a peaceful retreat into nature for visitors of all ages.
Quick Facts
| State | Oregon |
| Nearest City | Manzanita |
| Park Size | 2,448 acres |
| Established | 1958 |
| Google Rating | ⭐ 4.8/5 (2000 reviews) |
Location & Getting There
Oswald West State Park is located near Manzanita, Oregon. The park’s coordinates are 45.7697, -123.9597.
Things to Do
Oregon’s state parks showcase the Pacific Northwest at its finest — from towering sea stacks and tide pools along 362 miles of public coastline to ancient forests of the Coast Range, volcanic Cascade peaks, and high desert canyonlands east of the mountains. Popular activities include hiking through old-growth forests and along dramatic ocean bluffs, tide pooling at rocky shores, beachcombing for agates and fossils, camping at oceanfront sites, kayaking and paddleboarding on mountain lakes, fishing for steelhead and salmon, mountain biking volcanic singletrack, rock climbing at Smith Rock, and cross-country skiing on Cascade passes. Oregon’s waterfalls — including Multnomah Falls and Silver Falls — are among the most spectacular in the western United States.
Best Time to Visit
Oregon’s west side (coast and valleys) is wettest from November through March, making June through September the prime outdoor season with warm, dry weather. The coast can be enjoyed year-round — winter brings dramatic storms, whale watching (gray whales migrate December–January), and uncrowded beaches. Eastern Oregon and high desert parks enjoy more sunshine but can be extremely hot in summer. Cascade mountain parks are best visited July through October, when snow clears from trails. Spring brings the famous wildflower blooms in the Columbia River Gorge and waterfall season at Silver Falls. Fall foliage peaks in October, particularly along the McKenzie River and in the Cascades.
Visitor Tips
Oregon state parks are free to enter on foot or by bike. Vehicle access at most day-use parks requires a $5 day-use permit or a $30 annual permit, available at park kiosks or online. Oregon’s entire coastline is public by law — you always have the right to walk on the beach. Camping reservations are made through the Oregon State Parks reservation system up to 9 months in advance. Coastal campgrounds (especially at Cape Lookout and Nehalem Bay) book up fast for summer. Cell coverage is spotty on the coast and absent in remote Cascade parks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Oregon state parks free?
Oregon state parks are free to enter on foot or by bicycle. Vehicle access requires a $5 day-use permit or a $30 annual permit. Oregon’s entire coastline is public by law, guaranteeing beach access everywhere.
What are the best state parks on the Oregon Coast?
Top coastal parks include Ecola (stunning viewpoints), Cape Lookout (rainforest hiking), Shore Acres (botanical gardens and storm watching), Samuel H. Boardman (dramatic sea stacks), and Oswald West (surfer’s cove).
Can I camp on the beach in Oregon?
While camping directly on Oregon beaches is not permitted, several oceanfront campgrounds like Cape Lookout, Sunset Bay, and Harris Beach offer campsites just steps from the shore. Reserve months ahead for summer.
When is the best time to visit Oregon state parks?
June through September is prime season for dry weather. The coast can be enjoyed year-round. Spring brings spectacular wildflowers in the Columbia River Gorge (April-May). Winter offers dramatic storm watching along the coast.
Explore More Oregon State Parks
Oswald West State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Oregon. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Oregon guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Wildlife & Nature
Oswald West State Park — named for the visionary governor who in 1913 preserved all Oregon beaches as public highways — protects 2,484 acres of ancient old-growth Sitka spruce, western red cedar, and Douglas fir along the dramatic Neahkahnie Mountain coastline. The park’s Short Sands Beach (Shorty’s) is Oregon’s premier surfing destination. The old-growth forest here is among the most pristine on the Oregon coast — some Sitka spruce exceed 300 years old and 200 feet tall. Neahkahnie Mountain (1,631 feet) — rising directly from the ocean — is wrapped in legends of buried Spanish treasure from a shipwreck. Northern spotted owls and marbled murrelets inhabit the ancient canopy. Roosevelt elk, black bears, and mountain beavers (primitive rodents unrelated to true beavers) use the park.
Nearby Attractions
Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock are minutes north. Manzanita — a quiet, laid-back beach village — offers a 7-mile sandy beach. Nehalem Bay State Park provides camping and bay access. Wheeler on Nehalem Bay has waterfront dining and kayak rentals. Tillamook Creamery — Oregon’s most visited attraction — is 20 minutes south. Hug Point preserves the historic stagecoach route carved into coastal rock. Ecola State Park offers Indian Beach and headland hiking with Lewis & Clark history.
