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Recreation Region: Cape Perpetua Scenic Area

Saint Perpetua National Recreation Trail #1306

From the Cape Perpetua Visitor Center, this stunning National Recreation Trail leads to one of the best viewpoints on the Oregon Coast. Most people drive the road up to the viewpoint, but you can earn your views by hiking up this scenic footpath. The trail ascends and switchbacks through an old-growth forest lead you to an awe-inspiring overlook where on clear days views extend nearly 40 miles out to sea, and along 70 miles of coastline. From the overlook, you can continue along the Whispering Spruce Trail to a historic rock viewing shelter built in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

  • 2.8 miles round trip from the Visitor Center
  • Difficult
Current Conditions
8/4/2025: Trail is open. Trail brushed Aug. 2025 (Thank You Northwest Youth Corps)!

Specific Trail Information

Trail Number

#1306

Trail Type

Standard/Terra Trail — A trail that has a surface consisting predominantly of the ground and that is designed and managed to accommodate use on that surface.

General Information

Trail Map:

To use your mobile device's GPS to track your location on the map: Download the geospatial PDF (geoPDF), download and install an app, such as The Avenza Maps app, that reads geoPDFs. 

Close To:

Day Use Fee Area ($5 a vehicle) or valid Recreation Pass required.

None

Getting There

Trailhead/Starting Points

Trailhead for this trail is at Cape Perpetua Day Use. This trail can be entered from the bottom starting 1/4 mile up Forest Service Road 55 or you can park at the Whispering Spruce trailhead and begin at the junction of the two trails and head down this a less difficult way.

Nearby Recreation Sites

Recreation Opportunities

Last updated August 8th, 2025