Sunset Beach to Necanicum Estuary Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Sunset Beach Trailhead
- End point: Necanicum Estuary
- Hike type: In and out
- Distance: 12.6 miles
- Elevation gain: 25 feet
- High point: 25 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: All year
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: Yes, especially on summer weekends
Contents |
Hike Description
Clatsop Beach stretches all the way from the South Jetty and ends at the estuary of the Necanicum River and Neawanna Creek in Gearhart. Unfortunately, most of the beach part of this walk is open to vehicles, the exception being Necanicum Spit, which is a snowy plover nesting area. The beach can also be crowded on summer weekends; even so, there is a wealth of wildlife here, including pelicans, gulls, and terns. Look for seals periscoping from the waves and scoters bobbing in the surf. The Necanicum Estuary offers its own unique plant life and is a quiet haven from the crowds. During the fall and spring migrations, these flats play host to thousands of shore birds, including sandpipers, plovers, whimbrels, and curlews.
From the Sunset Beach parking area, take the 1/3 mile walk through shore pine woods, over two footbridges and through the dunegrass to a viewing platform. Then head out on to the beach and begin walking south. In summer, you will see pelicans, gulls, and Caspian terns sitting close to the water’s edge. There are no creeks and just a few puddles to hop at low tide. This is a cars-allowed beach, but most people drive onto the sand and park near the access point. Pelicans dive into the surf and, on a warm day, boogie boarders and kite boarders catch the waves. Paragliders also take off from this beach. Terns flap past with small fish in their beaks.
Pass the road access at Del Ray Beach State Recreation Site and continue past a third vehicle access as the beach homes of Gearhart appear behind the grassy dunes. Keep going to the mouth of the Necanicum River, with the wide flat beach at Seaside spreading beyond and Tillamook Head looming on the horizon. Brown pelicans like to congregate at the mouth of the river. Walk around Necanicum Spit, a snowy plover nesting area, and along the edge of the Necanicum Estuary, which the Necanicum shares with Neawanna Creek. Flocks of Caspian terns and Heerman's and Western gulls hang out on the mudflats. Along the verge, you can look for estuarine plants: orache, red goosefoot, paintbrush owl clover, gumweed, and glasswort. Walk up towards H Street in Gearhart from here and hike along the top of the low bluff and back out to the dunes and beach.
NOTE: Necanicum Spit is a Western Snowy Plover Management Area. Between March 15th and September 15th, dogs must be on leash and no vehicles are allowed. See Western Snowy Plover and the Oregon Coast (Oregon Parks & Recreation).
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- Green Trails Maps: Oregon Coast North #356SX
- Adventure Maps: NW Coast Trail Map & Guide
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- Snowy plover restrictions apply 3/15 to 9/15 at Necanicum Spit. Dogs must be on leash.
- Vehicles are permitted on the beach north of Necanicum Spit
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Sunset Beach to Necanicum Estuary Hike
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Sunset Beach to Necanicum Estuary Hike
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Hiking the Oregon Coast Trail by Bonnie Henderson
- Exploring the Oregon Coast Trail by Connie Soper
- Oregon Beaches: A Traveler's Companion by John Shewey
- Oregon Coast Hikes by Paul Williams
- Oregon's Best Coastal Beaches by Dick Trout
- The Oregon Coast Trail Guide by Jon Kenneke (eBook)
- A Hiker's Guide to the Oregon Coast Trail by David E.M. Bucy & Mary C. McCauley
- Oregon State Parks: A Complete Recreation Guide by Jan Bannan
More Links
- Sunset Beach State Recreation Site (Oregon State Parks)
- Sunset Beach State Recreation Area (OR) (National Park Service)
- Del Ray Beach State Recreation Site (Oregon State Parks)
- Necanicum Estuary (Audubon Society of Portland)
- Western Snowy Plover and the Oregon Coast (Oregon Parks & Recreation)
Contributors
- bobcat (creator)