Oregon's coastline stretches for approximately 363 miles (584 km) and includes a variety of sandy and gravel beaches. Some are short and perfect for beachcombing, exploring tidepools, or simply enjoying nature.
Others extend for miles on end and thus are prime hiking, jogging, horseback riding, and fat tire biking locations year-round. You can do all this while enjoying the scenic nature, beautiful panoramas, old-growth forests, and historic sites.
Fat tire bikes are the best for a ride on sand and trails. There are fat tire bike rentals in Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Pacific City, and Lincoln City. Alternatively, there are plenty of affordable models you can buy.
The Best Oregon Beaches for Hiking, Fat Biking, & Horseback Riding
North Oregon Coast – 2-mile Seaside Beach, Cannon Beach, 6-mile Manhattan Beach, and 4-mile Kiwanda Beach.
Central Oregon Coast – 7-mile Lincoln City Beach which has a few access points such as Roads End Beach, 1.5-mile Beverly Beach that becomes 3.5-mile Moolack Beach, 6-mile Waconda Beach, and Florence Beaches.
South Oregon Coast – Bandon Beaches with access points at Face Rock, Coquille Point, and Devils Kitchen; 6-mile Ophir Beach (with Nesika Beach), and 3-mile Bailey Beach.
Cannon Beach Fat Bike Festival
Cannon Beach Fat Bike Festival is held annually in the middle of May. The festival's main event is a 14-mile scenic ride along the coast. It also includes a big bonfire, a party at the pub, and games and activities with prizes.
Oregon Coast Trail (OCT)
When we talk about long beach walks or rides (potentially very long ones), the discussion is incomplete without mentioning the longest continuous trail system along the Oregon Coast - Oregon Coast Trail (OCT).
It stretches 425 miles (694 km) from the Columbia River to the California border. The Oregon Coast Trail includes the beach, pathways along Highway 101 and other roads, and multiple developed trails.
About 40% of OCT is the beach, and the other 40% is paved roads. However, you will have to cross the streams in some areas, especially on the beach. Often, it is only possible on the low tide, so pay attention to the tide tables.
The Oregon Coast Trail is open to foot traffic, while parts are open to horse riders and bicycles. Also, during the summer western snowy plover nesting season, some sections of the OCT are closed entirely for camping, horses, dogs, bikes, and motorized vehicles, and hiking is allowed only on wet sand beaches.
If you decide to cover the entire length of the trail system or extended segments of it, plenty of camping areas are open for you, including some spots with beach camping.
Also, you will need to use a ferry service to cross Nehalem Bay, Tillamook Bay, and Winchester Bay.
Horseback Riding On Oregon Beaches
Horseback riding on the beaches of Oregon is permitted, but there are specific regulations that riders must follow. Always check the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) rules about a specific area.
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Attention, Fellow Beachgoers!
Unfortunately, our beautiful Pacific Northwest 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!
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!