The Neskowin Ghost Forest at Dusk.

When Can You See the Ghost Forest in Neskowin?

If you’ve traveled through northwestern Oregon, you might have seen signs of the Neskowin Ghost Forest. While fear may have kept you from learning more about this place, we’re going to explain why you should include this stop on your next Oregon coast road trip. It has a unique beauty that’s only seen at low tide and a largely unknown history. Let’s dive in and learn more!

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Be sure to read The Best Places to See Waterfalls in Oregon before making a trip out to the Pacific Northwest!

What Is the Neskowin Ghost Forest?

The Neskowin Ghost Forest sounds like an eerie, fog-filled haunted woods perfect for a Halloween scare. But erase that image from your mind. It’s nothing like that at all.

Instead, the Neskowin Ghost Forest is a group of about 100 stumps that appear along the Oregon coast at low tide. These decayed stumps are the remnants of a rainforest that once provided a tree canopy of 150-200 feet.

The Neskowin Ghost Forest as the sunset casts a golden glow on two stumps coming out of the sand with proposal rock in the background.

Where Is the Neskowin Ghost Forest?

Tillamook County in Oregon is known for Tillamook cheese, as dairy farms dominate this fertile region. It also has 75 miles of coastline. The Neskowin Ghost Forest is in the Neskowin Beach State Recreation Site in Tillamook County.

Lincoln City is about 15 miles south, and Castle Rock is about 15 miles north. This northwestern area of Oregon is less than two hours from Portland.

The History Behind the Ghost Forest In Neskowin

During the winter of 1997 to 1998, several storms pummeled the Oregon coast. Scientists were surprised when the remains of a Sitka spruce forest suddenly appeared.

After research, experts believe an earthquake and tsunami could have destroyed the once-thriving rainforest. Although we don’t know for sure what happened, the stumps of the Neskowin Ghost Forest date back 2,000 years.

How Do You Get To the Neskowin Ghost Forest?

There’s public parking at the Neskowin Beach State Recreation Site. Take Highway 101 to Salem Avenue. There’s also a bus station here if you take public transportation. Once you arrive, walk towards the beach to the south.

You’ll see Proposal Rock standing tall in the water. If the tide is low, you can walk out to this massive rock and even climb to the top. You’ll also see Slab Creek, which empties into the Pacific Ocean. You’ll have to cross it to access the Neskowin Ghost Forest.

Proposal Rock on Neskowin Beach in Oregon with cloudy grey skies.

Is There Camping Near the Neskowin Ghost Forest?

Neskowin Creek RV Resort is less than a mile from the public parking lot at the Neskowin Beach State Recreation Site. There’s an indoor pool, laundry facilities, a fitness center, a dog run, a propane refill station, and full hookups. Camping isn’t permitted on the beach or within the state recreation site.

When Is the Best Time To Visit the Ghost Forest In Neskowin?

You’ll only see the Neskowin Ghost Forest at low tide. This is also the best time to venture out to Proposal Rock for stunning ocean views. However, make sure you start your journey back to the beach before the changing tides.

You can stay up-to-date on the latest tides by viewing the tide charts for Oregon online. Arrive about an hour before low tide. This will give you plenty of time to get from the parking lot to the Neskowin Ghost Forest.

It’s also worth mentioning the amount of rain Oregon’s coast receives. July, August, and September offer the best temperatures and the least precipitation, so you’ll likely have a few good days to enjoy the beach and view the stumps.

Other Things To Do At Neskowin Beach State Recreation Site

Besides visiting the Neskowin Ghost Forest, you can enjoy hiking trails at the Neskowin Beach State Recreation Site. The Lower Nature Conservancy Trail is open year-round and meaders 2.5 miles to Lower Viewpoint. The Upper Nature Conservancy Trail leads to the Upper Viewpoint, a 1-mile hike. But it’s closed from January 1st to July 15th.

Hart’s Cove Trail, a moderate 5.3-mile out-and-back route, also closes seasonally from January 1st to July 15th. It travels through the Siuslaw National Forest. Cascade Head Trail is also in the national forest. It’s the least crowded since it’s farther inland and takes you through the Cascade Head Preserve.

Visitors also enjoy fishing at Neskowin Beach State Recreation Site and kayaking farther north in the Nestucca Bay. Others enjoy the sun and the sounds of the crashing waves and shorebirds along the beach. Pack a picnic and enjoy an entire day at the Neskowin Beach State Recreation Site.

The Neskowin Beach in Oregon on a sunny day with clear blue skies.

Enjoy Oregon’s Unique Coast At the Neskowin Ghost Forest

While the Neskowin Ghost Forest may sound scary, there’s no reason to fear this unique landscape. While it may look haunting during heavy fog, it’s a cool place to visit at low tide when these 100 stumps appear.

There are lots of things to do in Tillamook County. So, the next time you’re traveling Highway 101 in northwestern Oregon, make plans to stop and see the Neskowin Ghost Forest, spend a day on the beach, and enjoy the sights and sounds of the Pacific Coast.

Have you ever seen the unusual stumps at the Neskowin Ghost Forest?

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