The history of the Oregon Coast Trail rests on Oregon’s progressive Oregon Beach Bill, enacted with major support from Governor Tom McCall in 1967. The entire coastline from the Columbia River to the border of California was declared a public easement for recreational use.
But long before the Beach Bill, Oregon’s residents had created and used trails, beginning thousands of years ago when tribal natives established the earliest thoroughfares. Useful, but also scenic, traversing by foot was always the most up-close way to see the coast. This vision led the founders of the Oregon Coast Trail, the Oregon Coast Trail Foundation, to create this trail for the people.
Totaling approximately 425 miles, the OCT is divided into 10 sections, with each section covering roughly 35 to 45 miles. Both thru-hikers and day hikers enjoy the trail. Whether you venture out for a day on a section that appeals to you, or make it an epic summer-long adventure, the Oregon Coast Trail is for you.
Want to do your part to help protect this amazing resource? Volunteer through a partnership with the Oregon Coast Trail Foundation and Trailkeepers of Oregon to care for a segment of the Oregon Coast Trail.
Take to the trail to be inspired by rugged off-shore sea stacks, thick old-growth forests, and marine life and sea birds. Tour lighthouses or slip into a coastal community for cozy lodging, coffee houses and craft breweries. The Oregon Coast Trail is calling.
For comprehensive maps and much more, see the Oregon Coast Trail’s main site oregoncoastrail.org.
For updated information on closures and preparedness, see the Oregon State Parks page for the Oregon Coast Trail.
Sections
- Section 1: Fort Stevens State Park To Oswald West State Park
- Section 2: Oswald West State Park To Tillamook River Bridge
- Section 3: Tillamook River Bridge To Bob Straub State Park/Pacific City
- Section 4: Bob Straub State Park/Pacific City To Otter Rock
- Section 5: Otter Rock To Heceta Head
- Section 6: Heceta Head To North Bend
- Section 7: North Bend To Bandon
- Section 8: Bandon To Humbug Mountain State Park
- Section 9: Humbug Mountain To Pistol River
- Section 10: Pistol River To California Border