The Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor: America’s Best-Kept Coastal Secret
Craggy bluffs, secluded beaches, and offshore rock formations await visitors along the 12 ocean-hugging miles of Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, located between Brookings and Gold Beach along Highway 101. The scale of what’s packed into that 12-mile stretch is almost hard to believe.
Visitors can admire 300-year-old Sitka spruce trees, gaze at the amazing Arch Rock and Natural Bridges, and walk 27 miles of Oregon Coast Trail that weave through giant forests. Seaside prairies, spectacular vistas, secluded cove beaches, rugged cliffs, and forested sea stacks come one after the other throughout this park.
About four hours south from Portland is the start of one of the most gorgeous and peaceful parts of the Pacific Northwest: the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor. While most people head north along the shore to places such as Cannon Beach and Astoria, the southern part can be otherworldly and often overlooked.
Secret Beach: The Jewel Inside the Corridor
Secret Beach offers scenery not quite like anywhere else on the Oregon Coast. In the remote Samuel Boardman Corridor, it might not be deserted, but it won’t be crowded. A summer weekend with about 20 other people counts as busy here.
The sea stacks give the beach its unique character. They’re tightly packed and close to shore, making it feel more than a little enchanted. Miniature forests have sprouted on many of them, looking like tiny worlds.
For travelers who crave a touch of wilderness, Secret Beach in the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor feels like a private discovery. Reached by a short, sometimes muddy forest path, this pocket cove unveils teal water, pocket-sized waterfalls, and sea stacks capped with wind-bent evergreens.
How to Actually Get There
It takes a little work to find Secret Beach. There are a few ways you can hike to it, none of them with great signage. The most popular route starts from the Thunder Rock Cove Trailhead. From here, you’ll hike 0.5 miles through a dense coastal forest and then make a final scramble down to Secret Beach.
Arriving at mid-tide allows you to roam the connecting coves before the full-sun crowds that have found the spot on social media. The Oregon Department of Transportation completed parking-area widening in spring 2025, adding a vault toilet and better signage without spoiling the secluded feel.
Still, facilities are minimal. Pack out everything and watch the tide – this slice of coastline disappears under high surf. That’s not a warning to stay away. It’s a reason to plan carefully and appreciate it more when you get there.
Natural Bridges: Where the Ocean Carved Arches Out of Rock
Natural Bridges offers one of the most scenic and iconic views along the entire Oregon coast. When you picture the Oregon coast, chances are you imagine the view at Natural Bridges. Giant moss-covered rocks emerge from the ocean, with tiny forests growing on top. These rocks form a narrow waterway where waves swell and crash.
North of the Thomas Creek Bridge, Oregon’s highest at 345 feet, is the turnoff for Natural Bridge Viewpoint, where you can see rock arches – the remnants of collapsed sea caves – just off the coast. Thomas Creek Bridge alone is worth a stop just to take in the sheer vertical drop to the forest below.
Extending 12 miles along Highway 101, the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor has stunning hidden coves, dramatic rock arches, and epic sunset views. Each viewpoint turnout along the highway reveals something different from the last.
The Wildlife Living Here Is Genuinely Extraordinary
The 27 miles of Oregon Coast Trail within Samuel H. Boardman are full of rugged coast, lush forests, and offshore sea stacks. Keep your eyes peeled for migratory whales, as well as sea lions and seals. They might be the only company you’ll encounter.
Gray whales migrate from December through early February on their annual 6,000-mile journey in the Pacific Ocean from the Arctic to the warm waters of Baja California. During March through October, the whales return north with their calves. Watching them from a bluff at Samuel Boardman, with sea stacks in the foreground and no crowd in sight, is a different experience entirely from a commercial whale-watching tour.
A mile-long hike at Cape Ferrelo leads to breathtaking views of the rugged coastline and photo-worthy Oregon sunsets. The cape is also an excellent spot for whale watching in fall and spring.
Harris Beach: The Southern Neighbor That Deserves Equal Attention
Many experienced coastal travelers would put Harris Beach above Cannon Beach. Beyond having a token highlight or two, Harris Beach is full of hidden corners and magical things. Rocks and sea stacks cover miles of coastline near the California border. Instead of the standard basalt of the north coast, these formations are an odd mishmash of ancient rock, some with swirling colors and patterns.
At low tide, you’ll see barnacles and sea stars covering many of the formations. The most eye-catching is Goat Island, Oregon’s largest coastal island. Bring good binoculars to look for seabirds on it, including some rare species.
Harris Beach State Park sits just south of Brookings, making it a natural pairing with the Boardman Corridor on any road trip down this stretch of coastline. Known for its mild climate and natural beauty, Brookings Beach is a tranquil oasis with its sandy shores and rugged coastline.
The Oregon Beach Bill: Why All of This Belongs to You
The public has free access to Oregon’s sandy beaches because of the Beach Bill of 1967. That’s not a minor footnote. It’s one of the most consequential pieces of coastal legislation in American history.
Oregonians struggling to maintain public access to Pacific Ocean beaches won a decisive battle in 1967 with the passage of legislation commonly known as the Beach Bill, which established public access to Oregon’s beaches from the first dune to the sea. The Beach Bill declares that all “wet sand” within sixteen vertical feet of the low tide line belongs to the state of Oregon. In addition, it recognizes public easements of all beach areas up to the line of vegetation, regardless of underlying property rights. The public has “free and uninterrupted use of the beaches.”
Oregon’s Beach Bill guarantees the public the right to use the dry sand beach along the entire coast. A state easement exists up to the line of vegetation. Only one other state, Hawaii, guarantees public access from the surf line to the vegetation line. Every beach on this list – including Secret Beach – is yours by law.
Cannon Beach Is Famous for Good Reason, But Crowds Are Real
A scenic 1.5-hour drive from Portland, Cannon Beach is the most popular beach at the Oregon coast. Recognized by National Geographic as one of 100 most beautiful places in the world in 2013, Haystack Rock takes center stage as it soars to heights of 235 feet.
Cannon Beach, 80 miles northwest of Portland, is easily the most famous beach in Oregon. The shore spans 4 miles, leaving plenty of space in the sand to spread out. It’s also backed by scenic, hilly woodlands and boasts Haystack Rock, a more than 200-foot-tall landmark that gulls and tufted puffins call home.
Still, popularity has its costs. Almost by design, some of the most beautiful beaches in Oregon are the most remote. The crowds at Cannon Beach in high summer make that contrast especially vivid once you’ve stood alone on a bluff in Samuel Boardman watching the fog roll in.
When to Go and What to Expect
The Samuel H. Boardman area is supposed to be consistently drier and sunnier than other parts of Oregon, so it’s great to visit year-round. Even if it rains, it gives the landscape an amazing moody feel. Winter tends to bring more rain and lodges or restaurants may have more limited hours or be closed.
No park pass is needed at Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. It’s all free. That’s a genuinely rare thing for a stretch of coastline this spectacular.
Give yourself at least three hours to drive the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor and stop at the viewpoints along the way. This gives you enough time to stop at many of the overlooks and do one to two short hikes. Add more time if you plan to relax at a beach. Most people find they want a full day, or two.
The Case for Calling It the Most Beautiful Beach in America
Oregon has some of the best beaches on the West Coast that often go overlooked in favor of more popular sandy stretches further south. The state’s beaches are known for being dramatic while offering both ample hiking opportunities and sometimes great swimming conditions, and they’re pretty much unlike any others in the country.
The Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor is one of the most spectacular stretches of coastline in Oregon. Found in the far southwestern corner of the state, this 12-mile section of highway is dotted with beautiful cliffs, beaches, sea stacks, and overlooks that rank among the best on the entire Oregon coast.
Whether it definitively beats out Hawaii, the Florida Keys, or the Outer Banks is a matter of personal taste. What’s harder to argue with is this: the Oregon Coast, with its rugged cliffs, expansive sandy beaches, and misty forests, is a treasure trove of hidden gems waiting to be discovered by those willing to veer off the beaten path. From secluded coves to charming small towns, this coastal region offers a plethora of lesser-known sites that promise serene beauty and an escape from the hustle and bustle of crowded tourist spots.
The beaches of southern Oregon don’t need the title to justify the drive. They earn it quietly, on a Tuesday morning, when the tide is out, the sea stacks are glowing, and there’s not another person in sight.AI Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed by a human editor.