The Oregon Coastline offers some of the best photography spots in North America. The tall ancient boreal forests give way to geological formations carved from centuries of crashing waves. Caves, beaches, and more await the photographer along US Highway 101, which meanders gently down the coast. Discover turn of the century lighthouses, hidden beaches and hiking trails along the route. Here is a small selection of some of our favourite places to stop and photograph.
1. Wizard's Hat by Mark Basarab
There may be no more iconic geological formation along the Oregon coastline than the famous Wizard’s Hat. This stunning geological formation sits just of the shores of Bandon, Oregon. The smooth sandy beach stands in stark contrast to the jagged triangular rock and makes this one of the best places in Oregon to take surreal sunset photos. Depending on the tide, the Wizard Hat has a brim when the tide is out. The Wizard Hat is, without a doubt, one of the must-visit photographic sites along the Oregon coastline.
2. Astoria-Megler Bridge
Astoria-Megler Bridge is easily one of the most stunning man-made photography spots along the Oregon coastline. This massive steel cantilever truss bridge is the largest in North America and offers several photographic possibilities. When shooting something this large, it is often challenging to provide a sense of scale. Thankfully photographers can quickly capture a photo of the bridge from the Astoria Bridge Beach, which offers some rotting pier supports poking out of the water. These pieces of a long-forgotten dock do a fantastic job of providing a sense of scale. Shooting this location is excellent in almost any weather. The Astoria-Megler Bridge is perfect for “bridge-to-nowhere” shots if it is foggy. Sunsets are stunning and dramatic, with the bridge in the foreground. Even rainy days can make for exciting photography, which is convenient because it rains all the time along the Oregon coastline.
3. Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge
Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge is a stunning photography location. Situated just off the coast of Oregon’s Tunnel Beach in Tillamook County, this photo spot is excellent for capturing the spectacular geological formations. Three Arch Rocks may be one of the best places for sunset photography along the Oregon coastline. The rock formations consist of three large arch rock formations and six smaller rock formations. Worn by eons of erosion from the ocean, the rocks create beautiful rhythmic patterns in photos, and the presence of wildlife will also delight the travelling photographer. On Tunnel Beach, there are also many caves and other scenic views to explore. When travelling down the Oregon coastline, be sure to stop at the Tunnel Beach and capture the Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge.
4. Natural Bridges Viewpoint
Find the Natural Bridges at a rest stop along the Oregon Coast Highway, a must-stop for photographers. Completely invisible from the highway, travellers pass by this hidden gem of a photo spot along the Oregon Coastline without ever knowing that it may be one of the most photogenic and beautiful spots in the state. Well-maintained trails will guide the visitor down to the bridges, which are geological arches formed by erosion. There are several locations and ways to take pictures of the Natural Bridges; however, photographers must be extremely careful when shooting. The coast is unforgiving, and you should never step off the maintained trails. We recommend bringing a long lens (so you can stay on the trails) and a wide angle to photograph this stunning Oregon coast photo spot.
5. Wreck of the Peter Iredale
There may be nothing more photogenic on a beach than a shipwreck. The Wreck of the Peter Iredale does not disappoint. This early nineteenth-century shipwreck is a bucket list photo location along the Oregon coast. Situated on a sandy beach, it is at jsut the right spot to capture photos of it as the tide goes in and out. It is effortless to get to with nearby parking in Fort Stevens State Park, and while known locally, tourists usually do not know about this hidden photography gem. Sunset and sunrise make for the best times of the day to photograph the Wreck of the Peter Iredale as fewer people are exploring the shipwreck. This photo spot is also very near Astoria, so be sure to pop by after taking pictures of the Astoria-Megler bridge.
6. Haystack Rock
When it comes to geological formations along the Oregon Coastline, arguably the most impressive is Haystack Rock. This massive rock formation stands 235 feet tall and is said to be the third-largest in the world. Situated at the famed Cannon Beach, Haystack Rock is a dramatic natural wonder that can easily be accessed and reached at low tide. For a good reason, this location is on most Oregon visitors’ bucket lists, but it also presents shooting challenges. Capturing photos of Haystack Rock is best achieved early in the morning or during golden hour when there are fewer tourists at Connon Beach. Expect to set up your tripod next to other photographers, each seeking to capture their unique view of this well-known photo spot. In cold or bad weather, you may be able to have the beach to yourself. However, if the weather is calm, images of Haystack rock with naturally occurring water reflections are amazing. Add this stunning photography destination to your bucket list and capture the natural wonder of Haystack Rock.
7. Yaquina Bay Viewpoint
Talk about a “Stop the car” photo spot; this view of Yaquina Bay is a spectacular surprise when driving the Oregon coastline. This stunning panorama of Yaquina Bay is situated just off the Oregon Coast Highway in Yaquina Bay State Park. There are many places to take photos of the Yaquina Bay bridge in the park. However, this location is a favourite. Here the framing created by the trees along the roadside adds beauty to the photo. If you plan well, you capture the Yaquina Bay Bridge at just the right time of day. Often overlooked, this photo location is one of the best places to take photos along the Oregon coastline.
8. Thor's Well
The Oregon Coastline is full of natural wonders, but Thor’s Well is one of the most unique and impressive natural sights to behold. This rocky outcrop is stunning to photograph as water pours over the top into the impossibly round hole formed over generations. At sunset, this location provides incredible foreground interest to photographs. Water fills the well only to get sucked out and back into the ocean. Visitors can spend hours staring into the geological marvel, and Thor’s well is mesmerizing to behold. When photographing the well, as with all coastal photo locations, and as always, we recommend a high level of caution. If you are unfamiliar with the region, tides, and ocean photography, be extra careful and bring a buddy to keep an eye out for you. Keep one eye forever on the ocean and horizon and watch for rogue waves. While taking pictures of Thor’s Well is a pleasure, getting sucked into it or the sea makes for a terrible photography experience.
9. Secret Beach
The Secret Beach in the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor is a lush forested coastal park with the scenic Indian Sands Trail offering incredible views looking out over the beached and imposing rock formations. Secret Beach is well named as access to the beach can be a bit of a challenge with photographic gear. The location is not well known to those not from the local area and is a true hidden gem along the Oregon coastline. Find rock formations, sandy beaches, and even a waterfall along the coast. As if that was not enough, Secret beach is also reasonably well sheltered from the high winds of the pacific ocean and rough weather. The result is an idyllic paradise perfect for taking incredible photos along the Oregon Coast.
10. Cape Perpetua Overlook
Cape Perpetua Overlook is one of those rare roadside scenic viewpoints worth a photographer’s time to stop and take a photo. Offering a stunning view of the Oregon Coastline, the location looks almost as if you are using a drone to photograph. The view from the Cape Perpetua overlook provides some great depth with buildings in the foreground, the Oregon Coast Highway snaking along the water’s edge, and tonnes of geological interest into the distance. Photographers should not miss this final pick of our best places to take photos along the Oregon coastline. To get to the location, take the Cape Perpetua Overlook road up, and there will be a turnaround at the end of the road. So park here, grab your photographic gear, and capture a fantastic photo of this fantastic photography location.
We hope you have enjoyed our picks for the best places to take photos along the Oregon Coastline. But, these aren’t the only ones in the PIXEO collection. Be sure to check out our Oregon Photo Spots Map. On the map, there are more Oregon coast photo locations and hundreds of other spots further inland. As if that weren’t enough, we also have even more Oregon photo spots available in our free PIXEO App. Finally, after exploring the Oregon coast and capturing your own pics and finding new photo spots, be sure to upload them here for a chance to win in the PIXEO Photo Challenge. Until next time, keep snapping.