Rejoin the trail to the west as it parallels the highway through Samuel Boardman State Scenic Corridor. Pass the scrubby coastline of Bullards Beach State Park and the small town of Bandon. Know their movements so they don’t catch you off guard. Almost every state park along the trail has hiker-biker campgrounds, as do many Forest Service areas. An ATV/OHV operating permit that is issued in another state shall be honored in the State of Oregon if the issuing state also honors an Oregon ATV operating permit. Permits Permits for travel along the Pacific Crest Trail are required in some but not all areas along the trail. The last time we visited the Klootchy Creek Trails a trail work day was in process and we got an advance preview of their flow trail Mo’ Flow. What’s the best season to hike the Oregon Coast Trail? You may print your permit as early as seven days before your reservation date. She also wrote that she “studied Physical Therapy, DPT at Radford University Doctor of Physical Therapy.” Her Facebook page contains photos from travels to the Oregon Coast Trail and Croatia. There are many spectacular sections of the trail that can be hiked in a day or two. The pandemic has forced us to change all aspects of life, including outdoor recreation. June through September is when the infamous rain of the Pacific Northwest lets up, with only 10 percent of annual precipitation falling during the summer. Don’t underestimate the ocean. (It’s not like you can dig a hole, fill it up, and wash your hands of it.). Second, the new trailhead is at the site of the original Frankport hotel. Do I need a permit to thru-hike the Oregon Coast Trail? Keep in mind that many of the parks along the trail are closed or have reduced services, and hiker/biker camps are closed this summer. Keep hikes short and local. Camping is prohibited within most major city limits and within or adjacent to state parks. Yachats, Oregon 97498 541-547-3289. The Oregon Coast Trail is a 382-mile (614K) hiking adventure that runs along the Oregon Coast. That said, if you’re careful and not averse to getting a little wet, the trail is hikeable year-round. In Oregon and Washington, you’ll often be able to obtain free, self-issue, non-quota overnight permits while already on the trail. Cross Elk River at low tide. Camping may also be available at parks managed by other agencies. Some Oregon beaches are protected nesting grounds for a small shorebird called the western snowy plover. Hike along Beverly Beach and continue south to cross Yaquina Bay Bridge. Season: Summer, early fall. The rest of the year, dogs are welcome. Consider planning your trip after services resume and risk of COVID-19 exposure is lower. If highway-walking doesn’t sound worth it, you can always hitch a ride, though it might not be as easy as it is near more well-known trails like the PCT. Accidents place unnecessary stress on first responders, search and rescue teams and hospital staff, and could put them at risk of exposure. From the Pistol River Viewpoint, walk the highway through shrubby lowlands to the next stretch of beach. After 15 miles of beach, dip inland through coastal forest, and emerge on the rocky bluffs of Cape Blanco. Cross highway 101 and descend to Humbug Mountain State Park. This event is conducted entirely within Oregon State Parks and ocean shore under a special use permit, managed by the Oregon Parks & Recreation Department. Hebo Ranger District 31525 Hwy 22 Hebo, OR 97122 503-392-5100. It depends on the time of year. The majesty of Oregon's 362-mile coastline unfolds around every bend along the Oregon Coast Trail, also known as the OCT. Hikers cross sandy beaches, meander through forest-shaded corridors, traverse majestic headlands and pass through 28 coastal towns. Tide knowledge is especially important if you plan to camp on the beach. Know the tides before starting these hikes. The pandemic has forced us to change all aspects of life, including outdoor recreation. Trowel: You can find public restrooms in most state and city parks along the trail, but you might need this in the longer stretches of the south. Some sections of the OCT are popular day hikes, making physical distancing difficult. Elkhorn Crest Trail. Generous landowners provide trail easements for portions of trail on private property. • Answers to frequently asked questions are on our COVID-19 Response page The OCT Series features one race per month over three months on some of the most beautiful sections of the Oregon Coast Trail. From the northern trailhead at the mouth of the Columbia River, follow the beach south for 16 miles. Watch for the protected Western Snowy Plover during nesting season. Hiking the Oregon Coast Trail looks very different this year due to COVID-19. Where are the best places to resupply on my thru-hike? Participate in local rides and events, Keep informed of trail access. The Oregon Pacific Coast Passport is a multi-agency day use passport that covers entry, vehicle parking and day use fees at over 15 sites state and federal fee sites (Forest Service, National Parks Service, Bureau of Land Management and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department) along Highway 101, the Pacific Coast … Thru-hikers often rave about the people they meet along the way, from fellow hikers to bikers, shopkeepers, and hitchhike-providers. They’re often described as mini rogue waves, as they surge up high onto the beach, carrying large amounts of sand that can weigh you down and drag you away. Printing Your Reserved Permit. Some areas of the trail are accessible only during certain seasons and/or only during low tide. Also prohibited: dogs (even on a leash), camping and beach fires. Make new friends Brokers Note. Visit oregon.gov/plovers for maps and more information. When the new trail system opens this summer, a no-cost recreational access permit will be required.