Secret Beach Oregon: First Time Visitor Guide
Secret Beach in Oregon is a coastal gem that lives up to its name. Located just off the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, this secluded destination offers breathtaking views, dramatic rock formations, and a sense of serenity that larger beaches often lack. If you’re planning your first trip to this hidden paradise, I want to share exactly how to get the most out of your trip since I’ve been here 3x.
Overview
Secret Beach isn’t your typical sandy destination, it’s a series of small coves and inlets, framed by sea stacks, tide pools, and forested cliffs. Accessible only by a short but rugged trail, this beach rewards the adventurous with postcard-worthy scenery, vibrant sunsets, and the calming rhythm of crashing waves. Whether you’re road-tripping the Oregon Coast or looking for a peaceful stop off Highway 101, Secret Beach is an unforgettable spot worth exploring.
Photos
How to Get There
Secret Beach is located near Brookings, Oregon, along the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor.
- From Brookings: Drive north on Highway 101 for about 10 miles.
- Trailhead Location: Look for a small gravel pull-off just south of mile marker 345. There’s no marked “Secret Beach” sign, but you’ll see a small dirt parking area and trail sign, it’s right after the Natural Bridges parking lot (if you’re heading north)
- Trail Access: Follow the steep trail down through the forest (about 0.7 miles one way). It can be muddy and slippery, so take your time.
Important Tip: There is limited parking, and it’s easy to miss (GPS location is below)!
Best Times to Visit
- Spring to Early Fall (April–October): Ideal for clear skies, dramatic sunsets, and comfortable temperatures.
- Winter (November–March): Moody and stormy weather creates powerful waves and atmospheric photo ops but expect slippery trails and limited access.
Best Time of Day: Visit around low tide for the widest beach access and tidepool exploration.
10 Best Things to Do at Secret Beach
- Explore the sea caves and rock formations at low tide.
- Photography! Capture the jagged cliffs and golden-hour light.
- Have a quiet picnic on the sand with an unbeatable ocean view.
- Watch the sunset paint the sky and water in vibrant colors.
- Look for tide pools filled with starfish, sea anemones, and crabs.
- Enjoy the serenity as this is one of the best Oregon beaches.
- Spot wildlife, including seals, seabirds, and whales offshore.
- Sketch or journal while surrounded by nature’s raw beauty.
- Explore the neighboring beaches, like China Beach and Indian Sands.
- Nighty sky views are something to truly enjoy here too
Best Hikes (Beginner–Advanced)
While Secret Beach itself is a short hike, the surrounding Samuel H. Boardman Corridor offers a range of hikes for all skill levels:
Beginner:
- Secret Beach Trail: 0.7 miles one way – steep but short forest trail leading to the beach.
- Arch Rock Viewpoint: Short 0.2-mile paved trail to a stunning overlook.
Intermediate:
- Indian Sands Trail: 1.5-mile loop with sweeping views and sandy ridges.
- Natural Bridges Viewpoint Trail: 0.8 miles – leads to an iconic bridge-like rock formation.
Advanced:
- Cape Sebastian Trail: 3.2 miles round-trip with panoramic ocean views and steep sections.
- Thomas Creek Bridge to Secret Beach Loop: 5+ miles with forest paths and coastal cliff views.
Packing List
You can get the majority of these items on my Amazon gear store:
- Sturdy hiking shoes (for rocky and muddy trails)
- Waterproof jacket or windbreaker
- Daypack with water and snacks
- Camera or smartphone for photos
- Tide chart (print or offline app, don’t forget this)
- Towel and beach blanket
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Binoculars (for wildlife and offshore views)
- Trekking poles (optional for steep sections)
- Trash bag (pack it in, pack it out)
Where to Stay
Nearby Lodging Options: Brookings is the closest town (15 minutes away). See hotel deals
Things to Know Before You Go
- Cell service is limited along much of the corridor, download maps in advance.
- Trail can be slippery, especially in winter or after rain.
- No facilities (restrooms, trash bins, water) at the beach or trailhead.
- Keep an eye on tides to avoid getting trapped during high tide. Only go during low tide.
- This is a true hidden gem so pack out all trash and leave no trace.
- Bring a headlamp if you’re staying late for sunset or night sky views.
- Parking area is easy to miss since there’s no official sign. Try this GPS.
Related
Final Thoughts
Secret Beach Oregon offers a raw, unfiltered slice of coastal beauty that feels worlds away from the crowds. With its steep cliffs, sea stacks, and quiet ambiance, it’s an ideal destination for photographers, hikers, and anyone seeking solitude by the sea. Whether you’re stopping by on an Oregon Coast road trip or planning a dedicated escape, this first-time guide will help you make the most of your visit to one of the state’s most breathtaking hidden beaches.
I hope this helps the person who couldn’t understand why you would want to share such an extraordinary place.
Your blog has been so helpful for nature lovers like myself. I’m sorry you have some incredibly rude and ignorant people blaming you for the actions of others. Keep on keeping on because the world and all of its beauty doesn’t belong to a single local grouch, it belongs to us all and everyone should have access and knowledge for places like this.
Thank you very much Meressa 🙂
Hey, the Samuel Boardman Scenic Corridor could use a volunteer to keep the trails clear. How about it?
I’ve been using the Corridor for years. I make it a goal to clear all the trees off the trails from Cape Ferrelo to north of Arch Rock and more on every visit from Washington State. Most recently in mid September 2021. Did you notice?
Hi Gary, I live in New York and whenever I’m around a nature spot and see garbage, I do make sure to pick up whatever is on my way (provided it’s not too much to hold). Really appreciate you keeping Secret Beach clean.
I can’t understand why you would just completely exploit this location? I’m a local and have watched this special location become more heavily trafficked and littered. It was ridiculous this summer with trash, toilet paper, underwear etc. Along with way more people than I’ve seen here before. This is because of exploitative blogs/tagging like this from people who do not live here bringing others who do not follow LNT principles. Please rethink what you’re doing. It destroys these delicate locations and turns them into amusement parks.
Hi while I can totally respect your point, I disagree with what you’re asking me to do and the main reasons why are:
1) Because these are public areas.
2) I don’t endorse any littering or acting out to ruin these spots and I personally respect the areas (can’t speak for others though).
3) No matter how much you try to hide these spots from people, there will always be word of mouth, social media and other places that attract people and while most people who visit are good and respect the area, you will always find those who don’t. This would happen with or without my blog (which doesn’t actually get a lot of visitors anyway).
4) Seasons matter for this too. Highly trafficked hiking spots happen during the warmer seasons everywhere so while I understand you wanting to keep it a secret, it’s not really possible to do this.
5) My blog is for responsible people who want to enjoy beautiful travels and experience the beauty of Oregon and other spots I visit.
6) If I read this blog post as a stranger, I’d be happy that this kind of spot was shared because I love finding new places like these.
7) I can honestly relate to what you’re saying, because I also have hiking areas that I frequent that have become more and more trafficked due the same reasons and the same problems happen too.
8) Of the spots I visit, I also know of locals who treat these beautiful areas I know as playgrounds and leave their trash. It doesn’t matter if it’s a local or not, what matters is the person themselves and if they aren’t good people, they’ll do these things and if they are good people, they won’t.
Wow that first comment was a very aggressively negative approach to someone who just wants to share such a beautiful and potential life changing experience. Labeling this inspirational blog as “exploitative” is a very hasty opinion that gives the commenter a very narrow minded representation.
Vitaliy, I just returned from my 8 day solo road trip on the Oregon Coast.
Indescribable is the word I keep using whenever I am asked about my trip. At times, I find it difficult to put into words the sheer beauty of the Oregon coast.
I wish I would have read this blog prior to going! I hiked the Natural Bridges but was not even aware of Secret Beach! I made a conscious effort to try and stop at every viewpoint and scenic area because I realized every stop has something different to offer. Even if it was 5 minutes down the road from the previous one.
I have every intention of returning for another road trip so I want to sincerely thank you for providing such useful information that could help someone like me have another life changing experience.
Thanks Nando! I agree with the negative comments thing. I actually had to erase some from this post because they were even more negative (name calling too). The places I speak about are public and while I get that people don’t like crowds and littering, it happens everywhere and to think I am the cause of this is just ridiculous. Not to mention how often locals litter the places. But if it’s a truly secret spot, I’ll respect that and keep it private. Public places that are already popular and crowded, that’s a different story.
Anyway, with your story on the Oregon Coast, my first time there was similar. I too was on a solo trip there and did try to stop at many places there and it was absolutely amazing. I also missed Secret Beach the first time I went, but returned 2 times later. Hope your next trip is even better there!
I live here in area too and the local kids trash locations just as much if not more. In fact after my last hike the kids at Dutch Bros told me all about it when I stopped there.
The locations are available on AllTrails and other apps. So chewing out a guy with a blog isn’t going to save Oregon.
The best thing we can do as locals is share LNT principles. Know the best and quieter times to visit these locations. And pack trash out. I always have bags and clean up litter then toss it in the garbage in Brookings Harbor front.
Another thing to consider is the economy over in this area is supported primarily by tourism and retirement. Most of these mom and pop shops and kayak rental places need Summer’s to maintain rest of the year. Being hostile isn’t going to help them any.
Thanks for sharing your points and I agree with all of them. It’s also a good mention about the economy and how much of the Oregon Coast needs the money from tourism to keep running.