Best Highway 101 State Parks
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Amazing West Coast State Parks
Highway 101 runs along some of the most stunning coastline in all of the United States. Meandering from Washington down through Oregon and down the coast into northern California, road-tripping down this highway will be nothing short of breathtaking.
Along the highway, you’ll find tons of places to stop and stretch those legs, but some personal favorite stops are at the epic state parks you’ll find along here!
Not only are they a fabulous place, usually with trails, beach access, or something else cool, but they often offer up some of the best camping situations you can find in the area! Be sure to stop in at the visitor center of each park for current details.
State parks also offer great accessibility for travelers with mobility issues. All the states included on this list (Washington State, Oregon, and California have made efforts to include barrier-free access to their state parks. More on that later…
Below are the best of the best state parks along Highway 101 going from north to south.
Obsessed with State and National Parks or know someone who is? Consider snagging some awesome National Park-themed gifts.
Visit The Well Located Bogachiel State Park
I can't lie, we are not starting off strong with this state park, but hear me out. Bogachiel State Park is a tiny state park in the corner of northwest Washington. And it doesn't offer much besides a river with a campground.
So why is it on this list?! Location, location, location! It's smack dab in Olympic National Park and is just a few minutes from some of the best places you can visit in the park, making it an awesome base. Down the road is the small town of Forks (where Twilight fans will rejoice), La Push Beaches, where you can bask and explore the stunning coastline, and of course, the famous Rialto Beach, where you can tide pool. Just a bit south, and you'll find all the cool and beautiful Kalaloch beaches too!
It’s the best state park to base in the area, but good luck reserving a spot; it gets busy.
2. Make a Well-Worth it Stop at Westport Light State Park
Aside from this state park being located in the cute town of Westport, which is well worth it, this small state park offers up a lot with just a few minutes detour off Highway 101.
Here, you can stroll the stunning 4.5-mile trail that skirts past not one but two lighthouses and meanders along the shoreline that eventually takes you to the marina.
Along the hike, you’ll also see the jetty, which is a popular place for surfers to tackle the waves. Once you reach the end of the trail, you can climb up the viewing tower here for a grand finale of views.
3. Explore Trails in Cape Disappointment State Park
Contrary to its gloomy name, Cape Disappointment State Park offers some incredible views and well-maintained trails. We particularly recommend the North Head trail, as you'll get panoramic views of the historic North Head lighthouse in addition to a refreshing walk through the lush coastal forest.
In addition to that trail, you’ll have to visit the highlight, Cape Disappointment Lighthouse and Waikiki Beach, where you can get epic views of the ranging sea crashing up on the lighthouse that's perched on a cliff.
At this state park, you’ll find tons of camping so you can rest easy if you’re weary from your drive along the 101. This is one of the best things to do in Washington, so even though it’s a small detour off Highway 101, it’s well worth it!
4. Check Out Fort Stevens State Park
Fort Stevens State Park is an old military fort located about 20 minutes from Astoria. It was built to protect the mouth of the Columbia River, and some of the original fortifications remain to this day.
The military installments are cool, but the park also has some great hiking trails through dense forests, freshwater lakes, and even a sandy beach with an old shipwreck washed along its shore! Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for elk roaming the fields in the early mornings.
5. Visit The Famous Ecola State Park
Ecola State Park is a wildly popular state park located in the heart of Cannon Beach. It offers a great complex of trails and views to explore, making it a fantastic option for adventurers wanting a classic Oregon coast experience.
If hiking all day isn't your thing, don’t worry, you can perch yourself at the picnic tables that overlook Indian Beach or head down to the shores to stroll the white sand beach.
Ecola State Park is also one of a few Oregon parks that promote healing and wellness.
Before you decide to head out to the park, understand that it can get pretty busy, and parking can be tough. If you're here on a weekend, leaving extra early (or late, because who doesn’t love sunsets) can pay off tremendously.
There’s unfortunately no camping at this state park but there is at the next…
6. Kayak and Camp at Nehalem Bay State Park
Making its way directly into the Pacific Ocean, Nehalem Bay is more reminiscent of a river than a bay. Fairly narrow (as far as bays go, that is) and quite shallow throughout most of its entirety, Nehalem is one of our favorite bays on the coast to camp and kayak on.
It isn't very rough and offers plenty of access, and it's just a quick drive south from Manzanita.
Nehalem Bay State Park is at the center of it all, offering trails, areas to camp, and access points for kayakers.
7. Discover Oswald West State Park
Oswald West is a state park that truly offers it all. Whether you want to hike epic trails, enjoy a scenic picnic, or even shred some waves, Oswald West State Park is a must-stop! But just for the day as there’s no camping.
Short Sand Beach is the center point of the park, with soft sand for bumming, great waves for surfing and paddleboarding, and trailheads to lead you to some of the best lookouts in the state.
The Cape Falcon Trail is the most worthwhile hike to do. It will first bring you to the shores of Short Sand and then onto the cliffs to get a bird's eye view of sea stacks. It’s less than five miles round trip and only a moderately difficult trail.
8. Camp at Beverly Beach State Park
Beverly Beach State Park is the perfect spot to park your bum on sunny days. It's also a great place to park your campervan overnight if you plan on exploring nearby Depoe Bay for more than a single afternoon.
From the park, you'll have easy access to other cool spots around town, including the historic lighthouse and a collapsed sea cave. The park is also known for hosting some great waves for surfing, scenic beachside trails, and excellent wildlife-watching opportunities (yes, including whales!).
9. Explore Cape Blanco State Park
Cape Blanco is one of the most secluded state parks in Oregon. With the remoteness comes unmatched raw beauty, which is best observed by hiking along one of the park's scenic trails. If you have time for just one, make it to the Pacific View Trail.
While you're in the park, don't miss your chance to view the iconic Cape Blanco Lighthouse. This beautiful lighthouse holds many titles, including the southernmost, westernmost, and oldest continually operated lighthouse in Oregon!
10. Check Out Floras Lake State Natural Area
One of the perks of visiting southern Oregon is that it's criminally underrated. Floras Lake State Natural Area is incredibly stunning, yet not that many people know about it (so shhh!).
Take advantage of the solitude as you conquer scenic trails (there are plenty of them to choose from), go paddleboarding or windsurfing on Floras Lake, or spend some time beachcombing along the sandy shoreline.
If you don’t want to leave, you can camp at the Boice-Cope Park campgrounds.
11. Hike The Harris Beach State Park Trail
Harris Beach State Park is one of the most popular attractions in Brookings, and for good reason. From ocean views and picnic areas to mountain bike trails and tide pools, it offers just about anything anyone could possibly want from the Oregon Coast.
You can roam around the rocks and stroll along the beach—It's hard to beat the trails with Oregon Coast scenery as your backdrop! There are sea stacks for days, a cool little natural arch, and sandy beaches to roam. Don’t worry, there’s a campsite here so you don’t have to leave in a hurry!
12. Roam California’s Redwood State Parks
Dip down into California along the Pacific Coast Highway, and you'll be transported into a new world surrounded by thick forests of stunning redwoods along the California coast. It’s all you’ll be driving through along Highway 101 for a while since northern California along this route is littered with park after park of insanely cool Redwoods!
The best state parks along Highway 101 that offer great trails and day-use areas are Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park and Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park. Camping gets crowded quickly here, so try to reserve in advance.
Are State Parks Accessible?
State Parks are a great choice when it comes to ADA-accessible travel. Each of the states on this list has worked hard to ensure they provide ADA-accessible accommodations and features within their State Parks. These features include accessible restrooms, hiking trails, beach access, exhibits and programs, picnic tables, and fishing areas.
You can find more information about accessibility in Washington State Parks here. Oregon also strives to welcome guests of all abilities to its state parks. You can find more information about accessibility in Oregon State Parks here. California has the Accessible Parks For All program which works to remove barriers for all guests with its state parks. You can find more information about accessibility in California State Parks here.
Guests are encouraged to stop by the visitors center for details when visiting each of these state parks.
Final Word On Visiting State Parks
I hope you’ve enjoyed this list of Highway 101 State Parks. There’s nothing like exploring the great outdoors and State parks located along the Pacific Coast Highway offer an ideal atmosphere to do just that. From lighthouses to campgrounds, hiking trails to beautiful beaches, each of these state parks has something well worth exploring.
Have you been to one of these state parks? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below.
BIO: Nina and Garrett are two PNW-obsessed travelers who love hanging
out in the outdoors. You can catch them exploring the PNW in their
trusty 1974 VW Bus named Lucy and helping fellow travelers explore the
West Coast on PNWisforAdventure.com
