Secret Beach in Oregon is a hidden piece of the coast that’s only available at low tide.
You’ll find this seaside fairytale along the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor, a 12-mile drive that contains all the best of Oregon’s coastal wonders- foggy cliffs, towering spruce, and jagged rock formations crafted by wind and sea. Oregon’s Secret Beach is an unmarked beauty that reveals more of herself with each dropping tide.
This spot should be high on everyone’s Pacific Northwest bucket lists.
Here is everything you need to know about Secret Beach in Oregon:
Where is Secret Beach Oregon?
Secret Beach is located in Brookings, Oregon, and though Pacific Northwest beaches are usually not warm or swimmable, you’ll still need an oil-free sunscreen for your face.
Brookings, OR is a 7-hour drive from San Francisco or a 6-hour drive from Portland. Consider keeping a roadside safety kit in your car in case of emergencies during a long drive.
Why is it called ‘Secret Beach?’
There are 2 reasons for the name, and neither involves the beach being a ‘locals only’ secret.
The first reason is that the beaches are hidden in every sense of the word. They aren’t visible from the road, and there isn’t even a sign, just an unmarked, half-paved parking lot on one side of Oregon Coast Highway 101.
The second reason is that the beach itself is actually a chain of small beaches.
Only one beach is accessible all day, while the others can be explored only during the low or negative tide.
How many Beaches are at Secret Beach?
Secret Beach in Brookings has a total of 4 beaches, but you’ll have to be both motivated and lucky to see all four in a single trip.
Remember, only the first beach is accessible all day.
The other 3 beaches require low to negative tides to be visible.
The First Beach
The first beach has 2 sections to explore, each with its own small (and cold!) creek flowing through it.
Once you reach the shore via the previously mentioned rocks, you’ll notice a lively waterfall off to the east, cascading onto a rock pile and disappearing into the ocean.
The Second Beach
Beach #2 has an underwater sea cave (pictured below), the insides of which are always covered in barnacles and dripping with sea salt.
This beach also has more low tide sea findings than the first, like starfish and other sea creatures.
The Third Beach
The third beach requires an even lower tide than the second beach.
You’ll find a sea cave here, with increased tide pool activity. Take some time to breathe in the sea cave, be present in the moment, and realize that the area you’re standing in is usually underwater.
The Fourth Beach
This beach is the most elusive. This section, which is actually the beach under Thunder Rock Cove, can only be seen during a negative low tide when the choke point between two large rocks is open.
If you make it to the fourth beach, give yourself a pat on the back – most people who visit Secret Beach in Oregon never get that far.
You have officially unlocked all of the secrets of Secret Beach.
How to find Secret Beach in Oregon
The Parking Lot
Find the trail entrance to Secret Beach about .5 mile south of Natural Bridges (yet another Oregon treasure along the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor!)
The Natural Bridges sign is clearly marked, so even if you lose your signal like I did, you should be able to find Secret Beach.
A small gravel parking area leads to the 3/4 mile trail down the beach. This trail is very steep and follows Miller Creek, where waterfalls can be heard, and lush green ferns guide your way.
For an Easier Parking Experience
You can also head to the Thunder Rock Cove parking area via GPS and follow the signs for the Thunder Rock Cover; this route is slightly longer and less steep.
The Trail
If you park at the unmarked trail, you will arrive at a section where you have to climb down the rocks onto the beach beneath.
This requires caution but is far from impossible- I watched an older couple descending with care, and although slow-moving, they made it.
Remember: you will still have to climb back up.
Low Tide at Secret Beach
Click here to find Oregon’s high and low tide times (they change daily, so keep checking the tides according to when you plan ongoing).
The 4th beach can only be reached during a negative tide, and those don’t occur every day.
View from the Hike to Secret Beach
Notes:
- All the trails surrounding Secret Beach are lush, green, ripe, and gorgeous. It’s also heavy in poison oak, so know how to identify it and avoid it, and use these wipes for prevention.
- When exploring the hidden beaches, be vigilant of the tide changes, it happens quicker than you might think. You don’t want to get stuck on a beach until the tide changes.
- The sands here are very soft, so take some time to enjoy them. Keep your shoes on for climbing the rocks. Bring water shoes to change into once you hit the beaches; with the ever-changing tide, you’re guaranteed to get your socks wet.
- Have a durable travel shoe bag ready to keep your wet shoes in when you’re done exploring the sandy beaches.
Where to Stay in Brookings Oregon on the Beach
The easiest way to explore all the shores at Secret Beach in Oregon is to stay close by. This will help you optimize your limited time with low tide.
Here’s where to stay in Brookings, Oregon on the beach.
- Best luxury stay in Brookings: The Beachfront Inn (Best Western). Choose between views of the ocean from your room or a private balcony opening up to the beach. The Inn also has an outdoor heated pool and many highly-rated restaurants and bars nearby. The Beachfront Inn is my #1 choice if you want to stay in on the beach in Brookings.
- Best private residence on the beach in Brookings: This rental has 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and amazing views. What makes this my choice for the best beach house in Brookings is the oversized windows that frame the Oregon Coast and the private beach access in the backyard. As a bonus, the house is pet-friendly.
- Best Budget hotel on the beach in Brookings:Â Americoast Inn. This affordable hotel has options for beach views and is a 2-minute walk to Harris Beach State Park, close to various shops and restaurants in downtown Brookings.
Frequently asked questions
Is Secret Beach worth it?
When asking yourself if Secret Beach is worth it- and by ‘it’ I mean the hike, the foggy, the trek over rocks, the race against the tide- remember that everyone has different ideas of what ‘worth it’ means.
For me, the adventure is equivalent to the effort every time. It’s okay if your answer is different.
Is Secret Beach swimmable?
Technically, you can swim at Secret Beach in Brookings, but beware, it can be very dangerous due to rip tides and sneaker waves. It’s also very cold, so if you’re used to warm weather water, swimming here may suck.
Is Secret Beach accessible?
Secret Beach in Brookings, Oregon, is not easily accessible, which is part of its allure.
To reach any of the 4 hidden beaches, you’ll need to hike carefully down an unpaved, fairly steep trail. You’ll also need to be aware of the changes in the tide to avoid getting trapped.
How hard is the hike to Secret Beach, Oregon?
It’s important to consider how hard the hike to Secret Beach in Oregon is both going down and coming back up. The hike to Secret Beach is moderately challenging and takes about 20 minutes if you’re walking carefully. The views along the hike are exactly what you came to the Oregon Coast to see.
Check-in
Did you make the journey to Secret Beach, and if so, how many beaches did you see?
Do you have a question that wasn’t answered here? Let me know in the comments below 🙂
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