Oswald West State Park

Oswald West State Park is a state park on the Oregon coast that spans about 2,500 acres of thick rainforest and four miles of Pacific shoreline, with sandy beaches and forested headlands. The terrain mixes forest with rocky and sandy coastal sections.

The park was acquired by the State of Oregon between 1931 and 1976 and named after Governor Oswald West, who pushed for public access to Oregon beaches. His efforts helped preserve this coastal strip for everyone.

The name Neah-kah-nie Mountain comes from Native American languages and refers to the peak that rises above the ocean. The place holds a connection to lands that were home to indigenous peoples for generations.

You reach Short Sand Beach by walking a half-mile forest path from the main parking lot, going under Highway 101 and crossing a wooden bridge. The trail is well-marked, but expect uneven ground and wet conditions.

The park is home to some of Oregon's largest western red cedars, western hemlocks, and Sitka spruces within its protected coastal rainforest. These giant trees are older than most modern buildings and form the backbone of forest life here.