Indian Point |
Indian Beach looking south to Tillamook Head |
Located on the southwest front of Tillamook Head about two miles northwest of the mouth of Ecola Creek, Indian Beach is one of the most beautiful and peaceful places on the Oregon Coast. You can get to it by taking the road from Cannon Beach towards Ecola State Park. When you come to a "Y" in the road at Ecola, take a left and drive about three more miles. You may see elk on the way to Indian Beach, particularly early in the morning. This beach is only about a half mile long, and it is used by surfers. The parking lot overlooks the beach from a height of around 50 feet. You can take beautiful pictures, or you can take one of two hiking trails down to the beach. The trail on the right is shorter, steeper and more direct. The trail on the left is prettier and longer. There is a well-maintained bridge over Canyon Creek to walk over on this trail.
Looking at Indian Point on the north end of the beach, you can see a flat spot towards the top where eagles have been known to land. As well as the breaker in the back, breakers occur near the front of the outcropping as well.
Looking to the south at the rocks (Bald Point), there are frequently sea stars as well as sea cucumbers and other sea life attached to the rocks. Make sure you check the tide table before going to this beach. At high tide, there may be no beach to walk on. At extreme low tide, you can find sand dollars and sea shells, particularly green olives. If you are early enough in the morning and beat the gulls to the beach, you may be able to find sand dollars that haven't been broken.
If you climb over the rocks to the south of the beach, you will find a small beach covered in tiny agates. There is also a hiking trail that begins near the parking lot which will take you to this small beach.
When gazing to the south, you can see Ecola State Park in the distance. Cannon Beach is just beyond Ecola.
To read the history of Indian Beach, refer to Oregon Geographic Names, 7th edition, in which Captain William Clark and Sacajawea are mentioned.
Contributed by Martha Van Natta