Information
Landmark: Haystack RockCity: Cannon Beach
Country: USA Oregon
Continent: North America
Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach, USA Oregon, North America
Overview
Rising from the surf at Cannon Beach, Haystack Rock stands as one of the Oregon Coast’s most famous landmarks.This sea stack rises sharply from the Pacific, its dark cliffs slick with salt spray, admired for its beauty, rich wildlife, and the adventures it offers.It’s the heart of Cannon Beach, a massive landmark rising from the surf along Oregon’s rugged northern coast.Just off Cannon Beach’s shore, the spot stands in plain view, where you can hear the waves rolling in from the main stretch of sand.Rising 235 feet, the basalt monolith towers above a sweep of pale sand and gleaming tidal flats.The area lies within a marine sanctuary, where rocky tide pools stay untouched and seabirds tend their nests along the shore.When the tide slips out, tidepools appear, alive with sea stars clinging to rocks, anemones swaying in the water, crabs scuttling between shells, and tiny fish darting in the sunlit shallows.Open to those willing to explore slowly, with every step following wildlife protection rules-like pausing to watch a heron lift off from the reeds.Wildlife here includes a rocky ledge where pigeon guillemots, common murres, cormorants, and other seabirds tuck their nests into the crevices.You can often spot seals and sea lions just beyond the breakers, their sleek heads glinting in the sun.It’s part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, a protected stretch where seabirds nest on rocky cliffs and tidepools shimmer with starfish and anemones.Keep back from the wildlife-you don’t want to startle a deer or send birds flying from the trees.Beach Access: A wide stretch of sand circles the rock, perfect for a morning jog, a barefoot stroll, or simply relaxing in the sun.From golden sunsets to first light over the water, Haystack Rock offers views you can’t resist, especially with waves crashing at its base.At low tide, you can crouch beside the rocks and watch tiny crabs scuttle between seaweed and shells.Bring binoculars or join a guided tour to spot nesting seabirds, their sharp cries echoing across the cliffs in breeding season.The Haystack Rock Awareness Program (HRAP) offers hands-on classes, guided walks along the tidepools, and chances to volunteer, all aimed at protecting local wildlife and their fragile habitats.Visitor Experience & Atmosphere: It’s scenic and unhurried, with rugged ocean cliffs as a backdrop and plenty of hands-on activities the whole family can enjoy.It’s just a short stroll from Cannon Beach’s town center, and the sand stays mostly flat underfoot, making it easy to walk.In tidepools, you might need to step carefully, placing your foot on slick, uneven rocks.Best time to go: At low tide, when the rocks glisten and pools reveal tiny crabs and darting fish.Spring and summer bring peak seabird nesting, with cliffs buzzing under warm, steady skies.Winter storms bring pounding waves and a perfect chance to capture the coast at its wildest.Cannon Beach’s downtown is just a short walk away, with art galleries to wander through, cozy restaurants that smell of fresh bread, and boutique shops to explore.Cannon Beach History Center & Museum offers cultural and historical exhibits, from weathered shipwreck artifacts to old photographs that smell faintly of sea salt.Ecola State Park offers winding hiking trails, sweeping viewpoints, and wild coastal cliffs where the wind smells of salt.Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site offers sandy beach access and picnic spots, perfect for spreading out a blanket and listening to the waves.Seaside and Astoria are coastal towns just up the road, offering art galleries, beach walks, and plenty of ways to spend the afternoon.Haystack Rock rises from the surf as both a natural wonder and an ecological gem, with sweeping ocean views, tidepools teeming with starfish, and plenty of chances to watch seabirds up close.Because it’s a protected site, visitors get to soak in its beauty-like the flash of a puffin’s wings over the surf-while helping safeguard the fragile marine and bird habitats along the Oregon Coast.
