Neskowin Beach: Ancient Ghost Forest at Proposal Rock

Neskowin Beach is a scenic stretch of sandy coastline located near the charming small town of Neskowin, just 9 miles south of Pacific City and 11 miles north of Lincoln City. The beach extends for over three miles, from Winema Road Beach on the north to the towering Cascade Head, which rises 1,200 feet at the southern end. Neskowin Creek cuts through the beach and flows directly into the ocean.

In addition to its picturesque shoreline, the beach is home to two unique landmarks: Proposal Rock and theNeskowin Ghost Forest. Proposal Rock, a massive sea stack close to the shore, can be reached on foot during low tide. It gained its name around 1900 when Captain Charley Gage proposed to his fiancée, Della Page, near the rock. In honor of the occasion, Della's mother dubbed it Proposal Rock.

Neskowin Beach offers many activities, from hiking along its extended sandy shore to fat-tire biking and horseback riding. While the beach may not be ideal for rockhounding, beachcombing can be a rewarding experience, with seashells, sea glass, driftwood, and other ocean treasures often scattered across the sand.

The town of Neskowin provides various lodging options and eateries for visitors. One of the town's most popular attractions is the 9-hole, par-35 golf course, established in 1932.

The main access to the beach is through the Neskowin Beach State Recreation Site, which features a short trail, restrooms, and picnic tables. Several other access points are within the town, primarily via street parking. If you use street parking, be considerate of residents and businesses, ensuring you don’t block driveways.

Neskowin Ghost Forest

The ghost forest is a collection of 2,000-year-old stumps of Sitka spruce sticking out of the sand. The strong storms during the winter of 1997-1998 unveiled this phenomenon.

The most likely creator of the forest was a tsunami or an earthquake, which first destroyed the 200-foot trees and then buried them under the sand. During low tide, you can walk to the stumps from the recreation area by crossing the Neskowin Creek.

Neskowin Ghost Forest: Memento of the Tsunami Hitting Oregon Coast?

Attention, Fellow Beachgoers!

Unfortunately, our beautiful Pacific Northwest beaches are stained with trash, especially plastic. Oregon Discovery and other unaffiliated groups of nature lovers have committed to keeping our beaches clean, but we need your help, too!

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

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