The Capes on the Oregon coast

The adventure partner and I set out on a coastal road trip this past weekend to visit Thor’s Well & Cooks Chasm out on Cape Perpetua and Cape Kiwanda which is the smallest of the three capes in Pacific City, we had a blast adventuring through the rocks and the moody weather for some good photo ops as well as camping at one of the nicest campgrounds I have ever stayed at on the entire west coast.

We took the fastest route to Tillicum Beach, I-5 South to Hwy 101 straight to the tiny town of Yachats Oregon, the drive was actually quite nice and relaxing winding through the Siuslaw National Forest along the Alsea River. Upon arriving in Yachats we grabbed a coffee from one of the many quaint drive through coffee spots speckled up and down the Oregon coast and headed to the campground to check in.

Tillicum Beach Campground was such a fresh breath of air in the way of coastal camping; usually over-priced, crowded and dirty this campground surprised me in every way. We moseyed around the campground to find a spot and ended up at this great site overlooking the ocean, we quickly set up camp and headed to the camp host to pay for our spot and some firewood. The camp host graciously welcomed us and even gave us tips on where to find the best sites in the park she was very nice and helpful. (Quick Tip: if your going to stay at this park the exterior spots near the road are quite noisy, pick a spot near the beach if available, or one of the interior woodsy sites.)

Once back at camp I headed over to check out the restroom while my partner chopped kindling for our evening fire, and this may be where I was most thrilled. Clean bathrooms!! Extremely clean and even inviting for a campground bathhouse. Camping rates at this place were 26$ a night for a tent site, there was running water spigots evenly spaced throughout and every spot wasn’t too far from one of the 3 bath houses which was very convenient. Having a view of the ocean from your campsite was the highlight of this park not to mention each campsite had a fire pit, picnic table and some variation of a path through coastal trees to your own private lookout to the ocean.

After camp was set up we noticed the sun starting to break through the clouds so we jumped in the Jeep and headed a few miles South to the photogenic Thor’s Well and Cooks Chasms. We parked along the curves above the Chasms and hiked down the paved path to the ocean roaring and splashing us along the way, it was amazing and truly breathtaking to witness the power of the sea. I’d suggest wearing hiking boots or some sturdy shoes with ankle support if you plan on walking onto the rocks and exploring closer to the cliffs edge, as it was very slippery and had uneven footing.

The next morning on our way home we stopped by Cape Kiwanda to check out the beach and the local brewery before we finished our trek home if your interested in seeing more there are plenty of stops to be had along the way shortly before you arrive at the three capes. Bob Straub state park is also a few miles away from the well-known sea stack “haystack rock” near cape Kiwanda, with plenty of trails up to the cape and through the state park to explore.