After we finished our visit to the Tillamook Cheese factory and ice cream cones in hand we headed to the over to the Three Capes Scenic Drive. The road winds its way along a super picturesque and rugged section of the Oregon coastline including three capes called Cape Meares, Cape Lookout, and Cape Kiwanda. At the Cape Meares section, there is an old
At the Cape Meares section, there is an old decommissioned lighthouse to visit. It has a giant special lens called a Fresnel lens. In the summer season, you can go inside and climb up to the lens area.
The property also has some terrific vantage points with views of huge cliffs crammed with shorebirds and the powerful pacific ocean waves slamming ashore. There is no camping but has a decent sized parking area and trails all around the cliff lines. A nice place to stretch the legs, walk the dog and take in the views.
The next cape along going south is Cape Lookout. It has a nice campground and is located near a huge sandy spit. It is a gorgeous area and if we weren’t camped at the Thousand Trails membership site in Pacific City this would have been my choice.
The third cape is called Cape Kiwanda and is my favorite of the three.
Cape Kiwanda is part of the Three Capes Scenic Route (along with Cape Meares and Cape Lookout). Kiwanda is the smallest of the three, but it’s one of the best places to experience spectacular wave action. Pacific City is the home of the Pacific Dory Fleet. South of Cape Kiwanda is the dory boat launching area. North of Cape Kiwanda to Tierra Del Mar is a stretch of beach popular with picnickers. Kiwanda provides great hang gliding and kite flying opportunities.- http://www.oregonstateparks.org
They have a Memorial Wall set up with really interesting information about the Dory Boat fishing history at Cape Kiwanda. Seeing the waves first hand it’s remarkable they can row through them and make their way back.
During our visit to Cape Kiwanda the sun came out and we headed out on a little hike along the cape. It was a glorious early spring type day with crisp fresh air meeting our lungs and warm sun on our faces. This is why I’m willing to put up with the long dreary, wet windy days on the coast, because when the sun shines and the wind calms its heaven on earth. Anne was in photographer heaven busy snapping photos of the gorgeous ocean views.
If you’re looking to bring the RV for a visit here I noticed right across the street is a really nice resort – Cape Kiwanda RV Resort or for a day trip, they have a large parking lot to park the RV and make a day of it.
We always enjoy our travels along the coast of Oregon and never run out of things to do or places to see, each trip along the coast we find something new. If you get a chance to visit the best times are the shoulder seasons in either June or September. The crowds aren’t as thick and the weather is still pretty decent, but remember this is the coast be ready for rain and fog in any month. If you see the sign take a side trip along the Three Capes Scenic drive, you won’t be disappointed.
