Oregon's Stunning State Park Offers A Peaceful Coastal Escape With Pretty Views

Oregon has many state parks – 361 of them, to be exact. So it can be very hard to decide which one to visit when you are looking for an escape. But one of them, Brian Booth State Park, has two separate areas: one is inland around a creek, while the other is a gorgeous stretch along the coast. So there are plenty of quiets spots from which to choose here for great coastal and wildlife views.

This state park, located between Seal Rock and Newport along the Central Coast of Oregon, was originally called Ona Beach State Park, which remains one of its two parts. (Its other part is Beaver Creek State Natural Area.) The more than 880-acre area was pieced together from purchased and gifted land in the 1930s and 1960s. When Brian Booth, the first chairperson of the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission, passed away in 2012, the two sections melded together and were renamed after him the following year. The beach retained its original Chinook Jargon name, "Ona," meaning "razor clam."

The Southwest Oregon Regional Airport (OTH) in North Bend is less than 90 miles from the state park. You can fly nonstop from San Francisco (SFO) to the small airport, and nonstop seasonal flights from Denver (DEN) will start flying there in May 2026 as well. For more options, consider flying into Portland. Though its Portland International Airport (PDX) is 151 miles away, this major U.S. airport that uses "llama therapy" for travelers receives nonstop flights from cities all over the world. You can then stop in Newport, one of Oregon's captivating coastal cities, en route to Brian Booth State Park.

Brian Booth State Park is easily accessible from U.S. Highway 101, which extends down the beautiful Pacific Northwest coastline from Tumwater, Washington, to Los Angeles, California. The nearly 1,550-mile highway actually runs right through the park. You'll know you're in the right spot when you reach North Beaver Creek Road at Milepost 149. The state park's entrance has parking on both sides of U.S. Highway 101. The Beaver Creek Boat Launch is on the eastern side of the highway as well. One mile down North Beaver Creek Road, you'll find the Welcome Center, with its helpful volunteers and updated information about recent animal observations and upcoming high tides.

The inland section of the state park is the Beaver Creek State Natural Area. It has six miles of hiking trails, some of which start right outside the Welcome Center. The trails wind through forests, meadows, and wetlands. They cross boardwalks, climb ridges, and lead to overlooks. From the Snaggy Point Loop, a half-mile detour off the Beaver Creek Loop, you will even find a great view of the Pacific Ocean.

In addition to hiking, you can paddle through the marshes and wetlands on a 3-mile float through the Beaver Creek estuary. Canoes, kayaks, and motorless boats are allowed. You might see beavers or river otters in the water, and deer along the shoreline. The large variety of possible bird sightings is impressive, too. Golden-crowned kinglets and hermit thrushes are popular in the winter, while summer brings violet-green swallow and purple finch.

If you follow peaceful, meandering Beaver Creek to the west, you'll eventually reach Ona Beach. This is where the dense marshes and primary forests open up at the Pacific Ocean. Ona Beach is long and sandy, and dotted with agates, algae-covered rocks, driftwood, and softened sea glass. Plus, when the water recedes at low tide, interesting rock formations and basalt ridges are exposed. Photographers love the contrast of these dark spots against the white sand.

The estuary is not the only way to reach Ona Beach. You can also follow the easy Ona Beach Trail, a short, out-and-back trail that is less than a mile long. It starts in the parking lot off U.S. Highway 101, winds through the forest, and crosses a wooden footbridge. Pay attention on this short walk, as you could see harbor seals as you cross the bridge or a bald eagle high above.

Once the trail opens up to the beach, you will find plenty of spots to set up a picnic for large groups. The farther north you walk along the sand, the quieter it will seem. In the morning, you might see fishermen casting for small surfperch along the edge of the water, while black oystercatchers, unmistakeable with their red bills and yellow eyes, survey the beach atop the rocks. Camping is not allowed at this beautiful spot. But if you want to extend your coastal escape, head to nearby Beachside State Recreation Site or South Beach State Park.