Cape Lookout State Park

Crashing Pacific surf, giant spruce forest, and free hot showers on the Oregon coast

Location: Netarts, OR, OR

Price: From $28 per night

Price range: $28–$55 per night

Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (612 reviews)

Elevation: 636 feet

Season: Year-round (upgrades underway summer 2026)

One of Oregon's finest coastal campgrounds, Cape Lookout State Park sits on a sand spit between Netarts Bay and the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by a dense grove of towering Sitka spruce and western hemlock. The beach is pristine and wide. The campground features some of the most private tent sites on the Oregon coast, screened by natural shrubs and trees so you can barely see the site next to you. Free hot showers are included. Yurts available for shelter. Major upgrades underway summer 2026.

Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: AT&T. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.

Amenities: Free Hot Showers, Flush Toilets, Dump Station, Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Firewood for Sale, Yurts, Pet Friendly (select loops), Drinking Water, Beach Access, Hiking Trails, Recycling

The best combination of privacy, beach access, and facility quality on the entire Oregon coast. Cape Lookout's sites are separated by dense native spruce and shrubs — you genuinely cannot see your neighbors in the better loops. The Pacific Ocean beach is directly adjacent. Free hot showers are included in the nightly rate. The headland trail delivers panoramic ocean views with gray whale sightings during migration. This is the Oregon coast campground that Oregon coast regulars actually use.

The Cape Lookout headland trail (5 miles round trip) thrusts out into the Pacific on a narrow forested cape with 400-foot cliffs. During gray whale migration (peak December–January and March–May), whales are spotted from the trail multiple times per day. The tip of the cape puts you over open ocean with no land visible in three directions — one of the most dramatic headland trails in the Pacific Northwest. Most campers never attempt it, assuming it's too long.

What is new at Cape Lookout State Park: Major campground infrastructure upgrades announced for summer 2026. State making capital improvements to bathroom facilities and road surfaces. Some loops may be temporarily closed during construction. Check Oregon State Parks website before booking.

Wildlife alert: Gray whales visible from Cape Lookout trail March–May. Steller sea lions on offshore rocks. Black bears rare but possible in forest. Harbor seals in Netarts Bay.

Fire rules: Beach fires prohibited. Campground fire rings only. Oregon coastal fire restrictions apply — check Oregon State Parks before building fires.

Things to do near Cape Lookout State Park: Cape Lookout headland trail — 5 miles, 400-foot ocean cliffs, whale migration viewpoint. Netarts Bay kayaking — the estuary behind camp is perfect for sea kayaking and bird watching. Tillamook Creamery (14 mi) — free factory tour, legendary ice cream, world-famous cheese. Pacific City haystack rock and Pelican Pub (20 mi south) — best drive-to beach nearby. Cannon Beach (55 mi north) — Haystack Rock tidepool walking at low tide.

Insider tips for Cape Lookout State Park: Request A, B, C upper loops specifically — D loop is notably inferior Free hot showers are included — one of the few Oregon coast campgrounds where this is true Tillamook Creamery is worth the 14-mile detour for lunch

Skip Cape Lookout State Park if: You want hookups (limited availability). You're visiting during summer 2026 D loop closures without checking ahead. You genuinely cannot handle rain at all.

Best time to visit Cape Lookout State Park: Jun–Aug — Best weather. Warmest water. Fewest rain days. Highest campfire safety.. Mar–May — Gray whale migration peak. Dramatically fewer crowds. Waterfalls running full inland..

Common issues at Cape Lookout State Park: D loop bathrooms are poorly maintained — mildew and aging infrastructure. Request A, B, or upper C loop sites only. D loop is noticeably inferior to the rest of the campground. Some lower A and B loop sites are exposed with less natural screening. Request upper sections of loops A, B, C for the best site separation and privacy. Oregon coast weather means rain is always possible, even in summer. Pack a quality tarp and rain gear for every day regardless of forecast. The old-growth forest makes rain atmospheric rather than miserable. Major upgrades underway summer 2026 — some sections may be closed. Call Oregon State Parks ahead: (800) 551-6949. Check reserveamerica.com for current closure notices.

What campers say about Cape Lookout State Park: "Best state park on the Oregon coast. The natural separation between sites is like nothing I've seen. You can barely see your neighbors." — The Dyrt Sep 2025 "Fell asleep to the sound of waves. Free hot showers every morning. Perfect base camp for exploring the coast. Will be back every year." — The Dyrt Sep 2025 "Stick to A, B, C loops upper sections. D loop needs work. Bathrooms in D are rough. Otherwise one of my favorite campgrounds anywhere." — The Dyrt Sep 2023 "Planning to return when they finish the 2026 upgrades — looks like they're fixing the issues. The location is too good to abandon." — The Dyrt 2025

What are the best sites at Cape Lookout Campground Oregon? Sites 1–36 in the beach area are closest to the Pacific and have the most coastal atmosphere — wind is stronger but views and sound are worth it. Sites 37–80 are in the forest and more sheltered from wind and rain. The walk-in tent sites (A-sites) require carrying gear 100–300 feet but are the most private. Cape Lookout State Park has full hookups, yurts, and cabins in addition to tent sites — book the type that fits your setup.

How do I book Cape Lookout State Park? Cape Lookout is a Oregon State Park — reservations are through ReserveAmerica.com (oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com), not Recreation.gov. Reservations open 6 months in advance. July 4th and Labor Day weekends sell out fastest. October is a great time to visit — storm watching begins, crowds thin, and rates drop. Call the state park reservation line (800-452-5687) if the online system shows no availability — phone cancellations sometimes appear before the website updates.

What is the weather like at Cape Lookout? Cape Lookout is on the Oregon coast — expect rain any month of the year. Summer (July–August) averages 60–65°F with morning fog clearing by noon. Wind is consistent and can be strong enough to flatten cheap tents. Bring a quality 4-season tent or use the yurts in bad weather. January–March is storm season — spectacular but wet. The cape trail (2.5 miles, ocean views both sides) is best done in any weather with proper rain gear.

Nearby campgrounds: West Winds Campground - Sand Lake Recreation Area (Hebo, OR), Sandbeach Campground - Sand Lake Recreation Area (HEBO, OR), Hebo Lake Campground (Hebo, OR), Castle Rock Group Campground (Hebo, OR).