Hug Point Beach: Exploring Coastal Beauty, Caves, and Waterfall

Hug Point Beach is a fascinating, scenic stretch spanning two miles from Hug Point headland down to Arch Cape, nestled between Arcadia Beach and Cove Beach.

The beach’s name carries a unique story. Before the construction of Oregon Coast Highway 101 in the 1920s, the beach served as a coastal road for cars and coaches. To navigate around Hug Point, travelers had to move close to the rocky headland at low tide, “hugging” the rocks as they passed. At low tide, you can still see remnants of the old roadbed carved into the rocks near the northern trail access.

Hug Point Beach is celebrated for its vibrant landscape, featuring sandy stretches, basalt and sandstone cliffs, intertidal marine life, caves, and a seasonal waterfall. This beach is ideal for picnicking, beachcombing, tidepool exploring, and surf fishing.

Access to the northern edge of Hug Point Beach is provided by Hug Point State Recreation Site, which has a short paved trail and a stairway leading directly to the sand. To the right, you’ll see the headland of Adair Point, composed of basalt and sandstone.

During low tide, you can walk around Adair Point to explore a small, secluded pocket beach south of Hug Point. Here, you’ll discover a large cave, the stunning Fall Creek waterfall cascading from a sandstone bluff, and remnants of the old stagecoach road. At low tide, you can even walk from Hug Point to Arcadia Beach.

To explore more of the coast, follow the beach south to reach Arch Cape.

Be cautious of tide movements, as high tides can cover Adair Point, making it possible to become stranded. Additionally, the parking area at Hug Point State Recreation Site is small and often fills quickly on weekends and in summer. However, the shaded picnic areas, short walk to the beach, and onsite restroom make this an inviting spot for a beach day.

Cautions: Beware of changing tides, rip currents, driftwoods, sneaker waves and never turn your back to the ocean.

Attention Fellow Beachgoers

Unfortunately, our beautiful Pacific North West beaches are stained with trash, especially plastic. We, at Oregon Discovery, as well as other unaffiliated groups of nature lovers made a commitment to do our part in keeping our beaches clean, but we need your help too!

Every time you go out to enjoy nature at your favorite spot, please bring a garbage bag or two and help us pick up garbage. Even picking up a little bit here and there will make a huge difference long term.

Please, help us save our beautiful nature for the generations to come!