Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area- The Best Sunset Place (Cannon Beach, OR)

From Oceanside, head south along the coastline to where you can experience and see the true Oregon coast while driving. Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area is along the coastline.

Located in Pacific City, Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area is a state park on the Three Capes Scenic Route, which also includes Cape Meares and Cape Lookout. Visitors can hike to the top of Cape Kiwanda for spectacular views of Cape Lookout to the north and Nestucca Bay to the south.

A sea stack called Chief Kiawanda Rock (its spelling is slightly different from the Cape's) is located 1.5 miles (.8 km.) southwest of Cape Kiwanda and is one of 3 features along the Oregon Coast called "Haystack Rock" (the one in Cannon Beach is more famous).

Cape Kiwanda's brilliant sandstones are one of the most stunning features on Oregon’s Coast. The offshore "Chief Kiawands Rock" formation has protected the soft strata of Cape Kiwanda from being destroyed by the ocean weather. Behind Cape Kiwanda stands the Great Dune, an enormous hill of layered sandstone and mudstone covered in drifting sand with stunted Sitka spruce atop it. From the top, visitors can see the headland of Cape Lookout to the north. A walk on the beach can be combined with the Nestucca Spit Loop Hike. Hikers can start from either the popular Cape Kiwanda Trailhead or the Pacific Avenue Trailhead, which gives access to a stretch of beach area where vehicles are not permitted.

Chief Kiawanda Rock attracts many people here in Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area. People enjoy going up the strenuous sand dune and coming down fast.

The best time of the day in Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area is sunset against Chief Kiawanda Rock, which is well known to photographers. But even if I visited this place several times, I’ve never seen a good sunset yet. Sometimes, not being able to see the clear sky on the Oregon coast makes me very frustrated. 

*This posting was translated. Click here to read the original version.