Indian Beach Trailhead — Attraction in Seaside

One of the most beautiful places I’ve photographed is the Indian Beach Trail at Ecola State Park. After capturing a proposal here, I decided to explore this trail, and every step felt like walking through a living masterpiece. The forest opens with enormous trees, some wider than I’ve ever seen, and every corner feels made for a perfect shot.

Along the trail, the ocean stretches endlessly, waves crash against the cliffs, and the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse stands proudly in the distance. Each view is photogenic, from sweeping landscapes to intimate moments, making it ideal for engagement sessions, elopements, or small weddings. The wind carries the sea’s song through the trees, adding natural movement and life to every frame.

~ Mighty and ancient trees lean close and sway, While ocean winds sing praises night and day. Their whispered leaves, in sacred love entwined, Lift endless hymns to Him, all hearts aligned. ~

This trail feels less like a hike and more like a journey through a living cathedral of nature. Every sunbeam, gust of wind, and crashing wave becomes a perfect backdrop for photos. As a Portland photographer, I’ve had clients travel from Seattle and beyond to capture special moments here, and every mile of the trail offers a stunning,...

Indian Beach trailhead is a good trail for families. Busy but easy access and had great views. Tillamook Head North trailhead goes straight up into the old growth forest. Trail is beautiful and peaceful but steep, with some slippey stones, gnarly roots, ferns and mosses. Not a trail for young children. OK for an experianced pre-teen and teenagers that like hiking. I hiked for 2hrs but ran out of time before reaching the top, but loved every bit the tranquility of...

"Moderate" means quite hard and mostly up hill for ppl like me who does alot of flat earth walking! Lol it was super slippery and muddy and steep in some places.. had to climb under and over fallen logs... saw so many different types of mushies and the view was beautiful! Worth it but be prepared to be super wet and had mud halfway to ur knees if not higher if you slip and fall which many prints showed happen to...