Cape Blanco Shore Trail

The Oregon Coast Trail system winds through Cape Blanco State Park and offers a few segments that are easy and incredibly scenic. This adventure follows the trail from the small clearing along the beach access road near the campground up to the lighthouse gate and down to the small beach on the north side of the cape.

From the campground take the beach road down to the grassy clearing overlooking the group of offshore rocks that make up Blanco Reef. From here the trail follows the edge of the bluff through low trees with occasional glimpses of the Pacific. The trail exits the trees and continues along the bluff through dense undergrowth. There are several spur trails that veer off to overlooks at the edge. The lighthouse is visible in the distance, and its light can be seen blinking even in full daylight.

When the trail reaches the road, the route follows the road to the left for about 200 feet to the lighthouse gate. Just past the gate on the right there is a tall post that marks the continuation of the trail down to the beach. At high tide there is not much beach, but the views along the shore toward the Sixes River mouth are stunning.