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One outing worth planning is a day-trip to drive the Three Capes Scenic Loop. This 70-mile loop puts you front and center with rugged cliffs, classic lighthouses, and storybook-like quaint towns.
Traveling this famous coastal route takes you through the three capes—Cape Kiwanda, Cape Lookout, and Cape Meares.
These impressive peninsulas are the highlight of the drive, offering breathtaking views and immersive experiences around each bend.
Ancient lava flowing down the Columbia River to the Pacific left behind these strong basalt headlands. Over time, wind, water, and waves carved away the surrounding rock, leaving behind the jagged capes.
Before European settlers arrived, the Tillamook people called this area home. Today, the city is renowned for its dairy products, which you can taste at the Tillamook Creamery.
The scenic loop came together over decades, but it wasn't an easy build; engineers faced rough terrain and the ever-changing coastline. Case in point was the landslides and storms in the late 1970s that closed a section near Cape Lookout. The defunct section is now used by hikers and cyclists looking for a quieter ride.
While you'll be on Highway 101 for a short stretch, the Three Capes Scenic Loop is jam-packed with landmarks and attractions. Here, state parks, viewpoints, and the unique personality of each cape are mesmerizing.
While the drive takes a little over two hours to complete, you'll want to plan a day (or more!) on this iconic highway. So, pack a cooler, grab your hiking gear, and hit the road to discover Oregon's wild beauty and its welcoming, adventurous spirit!
Three Capes Scenic Loop: Fun Facts & Cool Features
The loop begins in Tillamook, which, as we've mentioned, is worth a day exploring on its own. From there, you'll head toward the coast and the Bayocean Peninsula Park. You'll find a 7.8 trail through dunes, beach, trees, and understory that separates Tillamook Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
Up next is Cape Meares, which is best known for the Cape Meares Lighthouse. Built in 1890, this lighthouse is the shortest on the Oregon coast at just 38 feet. However, its location on a 217-foot cliff makes its light visible for 21 miles out to sea. Be sure to take the 0.1-mile hike to see the Octopus Tree. Its twisting, tentacle-like branches stretch out 30 feet and rise over 100 feet!
Cape Lookout juts into the Pacific further than anywhere else on the Oregon Coast. For this reason, it has become the top spot for whale watching during winter and spring migrations. Cape Lookout State Park welcomes visitors with hiking trails that wind through tall, old Sitka spruce trees. While the north trail is closed due to storm damage, the Cape Lookout Trail offers ocean views from its 4.7-mile cliff-lined path.
Cape Kiwanda, at the southernmost point, is the smallest of the trio but stands out for its rugged sandstone cliffs. Wind and waves never stop shaping it, so the landscape changes year after year.
Pelican Brewing is worth a stop as it's the only brewery on the Central Oregon Coast with beachside views. Imagine sipping a pint with wide-open views of Haystack Rock rising 340 feet out of the ocean! This sea stack is one of three unique rock formations on the Oregon Coast, with the most famous being Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach.
Time doesn't allow us to dive deeper into the Three Capes Scenic Loop, but as you can tell, each section offers days' worth of things to do and see. Whether you cruise the loop or plan a sightseeing marathon, adding it to your itinerary is a no-brainer.
Local Tips
- Fill up with gas in Tillamook, as services are limited on the loop.
- Cell service can be spotty or nonexistent; plan accordingly.
- Pack layers of clothing; coastal weather can change in a heartbeat.
- Be aware of tide schedules when exploring the beach and tide pools.
- Bring binoculars to spot whales and other wildlife.
