Hug Point Beach - Secret Caves and Waterfall | Oregon Coast

The fascinating Hug Point Beach stretches 2 miles down from the Hug Point headland to Arch Cape sitting between Arcadia Beach and Cove Beach.

The Hug Point name comes with a very interesting story. Before Oregon Coast Highway 101 was built in the 1920s, the beach was used as a coastal road for both car and coach traffic. In order to get around Hug Point, traffic had to move at the low tide along the rocky headland close to it - literally "hugging" the rocks. During the low tide at the rocks north of the trail access, you can still see signs of where the roadbed was carved out.

Hug Point is popular for its colorful landscape, a beautiful stretch of sand, basalt and sandstone cliffs, marine life in the intertidal zone, caves, and a seasonal waterfall. The beach is ideal for picnicking, beachcombing, tidepool exploring, and surf fishing.

Hug Point State Recreation Site provides easy access to the northern edge of the beach. Walk a short paved trail and then a stairway down to the beach. You will see a basalt and sandstone headland on the right. This is Adair Point. During low tides, you can walk around Adair Point and have access to the north end of the beach including a small secluded pocket beach just south of Hug Point. This site features a big cave, the beautiful Fall Creek waterfall that cascades down from the sandstone bluff, and the old stage-coach road. At low tides, you can walk around Hug Point to Arcadia Beach.

If you want to explore more of the beach, walk south to Arch Cape.

Please, pay attention to the tide movement because during high tides the water can reach Adair Point. it is possible to get stranded there.

Keep in mind that the parking area of Hug Point State Recreation Site is small and tends to be busy during weekends and summer. Forested picnic areas, a short walking distance to the beach, and a restroom make this spot very comfortable for your next beach outing!

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!