Seaside Wildlife & Nature
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Hiking Trails
Birdwatching
Marine & Tidepool Life
Other Wildlife
Where to Observe wildlife
Respecting Wildlife
Hiking Trails
Seaside
and the surrounding area boasts numerous hiking opportunities for people of
all levels of ability. Many hiking trails offer spectacular views and bountiful
wildlife. Unusual and interesting plant species are found at each location.
Printable plant lists and additional trail information for areas along the
Northwest Oregon Coast is available here.
- Tillamook Head Trail - 6 miles each way - MAP
(.pdf)
This trail takes you over Tillamook Head from Seaside to Indian Beach in Ecola State Park, Cannon Beach. Climbing up the switchback trail requires some effort, and there are dangerous cliffs, so keep an eye on children and dogs must be leashed. Hikers that make it to the top are rewarded with superb views of Tillamook Rock Lighthouse and the ocean landscape. Along the way enjoy native plants and wildlife, but always stay on the trail so as not to disturb this remarkable environment. The trailhead is located at the South end of Sunset Blvd. in the Cove. You can also begin the hike from the other side at Indian Beach in Ecola Park (Clatsop Loop Trail, listed below, connects to the main trail that continues on to Seaside).
- Clatsop Loop Trail - 2.5 miles round trip
- MAP
(.pdf)
For
those wishing to explore Tillamook Head, but not ready for the full
6 mile trek described above, there is the shorter Clatsop Loop Trail.
Beginning at the Indian Beach parking lot in Ecola Park, this 2.5 mile
trail takes you up to the Hiker's Camp adirondack cabins, and loops
around down the West side of Tillamook Head. Near the top of the hike,
you can also take a short trail to the closest viewpoint of the offshore
Tillamook Rock Lighthouse. An old moss-covered military bunker is also
visible just off this little trail. An excellent map and brochure guide
of this trail is available for free at the trailhead, but sometimes
they run out. You can stop by the Visitor's Bureau beforehand and pick
up a copy, or download and print it online here.
- Saddle Mountain - 5.2 miles round trip
Between the months of March and December, the serious hiker can venture to the top of Saddle Mountain, the highest peak in the Northern Coast Range.
Atop
the 3,283 foot mountain, hikers can survey the Coast Mountain Range, including
Mt. Rainier and Mt. Hood, the Pacific Ocean, Astoria, and the Columbia
River. Hundreds of rare and interesting wildflowers call this mountain
home. Saddle Mountain is located 10 miles East of Seaside off Highway 26.
- Fort to Sea Trail - 6.5 miles each way - MAP
This
Lewis & Clark inspired trail was opened recently during the 2005 bicentennial
celebration to commemorate the trek of the Corps of Discovery from their
temporary fort to the ocean. Hikers travel on a nicely maintained trail
through dunes, coastal forests, wetlands, country pastures, and other varied
landscape. Footbridges take you over the numerous lakes and rivers along
the way, and a pedestrian underpass has been created under Highway 101.
You can begin the hike at the Sunset Beach Recreation area off Highway
101, or from the other end of the trail at Fort Clatsop. Shorter hikes
are also possible around Fort Clatsop, and several are wheelchair accessible.
For more information about this trail, visit www.forttosea.org
- Oswald West State Park Trails - MAP
(.pdf)
Located 20 minutes South of Seaside, Oswald West State Park features miles of trails that wind through old-growth coastal rainforest. Explore Cape Falcon, Short Sand Beach in Smugglers Cove, or cross a suspension bridge and hike 3.8 miles to the summit of Neahkahnie Mountain and view miles of Oregon coastline.
- Fort Stevens State Park - 5+ miles of hiking
trails & 7 miles of bike paths - MAP
(.pdf)
Located 30 minutes North of Seaside in Warrenton, Fort Stevens state park offers miles of trails and abundant wildlife. Paved bicycle trails, wooded walking trails (including a 2 mile trail around Coffenbury Lake), and miles of sandy beach for barefoot walking . . . Fort Stevens has something to suit everyone!
Birdwatching
Seaside
and the surrounding area boasts some of the finest birdwatching in the region. Diverse
natural habitats all located in close proximity and readily accessible to the
public make birdwatching convenient for everyone. Hundreds of different species
of birds, from eagles to herons, puffins to hummingbirds, and ducks to sparrows,
can be observed year-round. Some of the very best birdwatching occurs during
the spring and fall migrations, but all seasons feature an excellent assortment
of opportunities.
What to Bring: Although you will be able to see many birds without binoculars, most people find birdwatching more enjoyable using binoculars or a scope to get an up-close view. If you don’t have either, you can always rent birdwatching equipment at the Wild Bird Shop in Cannon Beach. Another good item to bring would be a local bird identification guide, so that you’ll be able to identify the birds you encounter. Bird guides are also available at local bookstores in the area. Kids especially enjoy it if you bring along a checklist of birds known to frequent the area. For a Seaside area bird checklist, you can visit www.ddesignor.com and print out your very own copy. You might want to bring a camera and perhaps a picnic lunch with a few extra crumbs to share with our seagull friends. It is also a good idea to dress appropriately and be prepared for unexpected weather.
Where to Go:
The
Cove - One of the most convenient locations for birdwatching is
in “the Cove” in South Seaside. You can even observe
shorebirds right from 
your
car! This area can get rather busy during the summer months, and surfers
are almost always present, but the variety of birds you can easily observe
here is still excellent. Binoculars or a spotting scope are recommended
for the best viewing. The nearby forests and marshland also give you the
opportunity to see songbirds, woodpeckers, and many other species.- Necanicum Estuary - Access the estuary trails from the North end of Seaside beach, the park behind the High School, or visit Gateway to Discovery off Hwy 101. Estuary access can also be found further North in Gearhart.
- Neawanna Natural History Park - On the East side of Hwy 101, take Ave. ‘S’ and turn South onto an unmarked paved road (park alongside the road). Behind the city shops is an area known as Neawanna Natural History Park. Numerous waterfowl and other birds & wildlife can be observed throughout the interconnected ponds and wetlands found in this quiet, little known area.
- Circle Creek - This area is accessible from
the North Coast Land Conservancy Conservation Center at the very end of Rippet
Road in South Seaside (click
here for website). This large area between the Necanicum River and Tillamook
Head is known as Circle Creek. Elk, as well as
many
species of birds, are frequent visitors to this area. - South Jetty - The Columbia River south jetty,
located in Fort Stevens State Park, is a popular destination for birdwatchers.
Numerous species, including rare and unusual bird sightings are reported
here every year.
- Haystack Rock - For those interesting in viewing the colorful Tufted Puffin, your best bet is to head to Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach between the months of April and August, when the birds can be seen nesting on the rock.
- Water Treatment Ponds, Cannon Beach - Numerous species of waterfowl congregate in this area. The ponds are located on the East end of 2nd street in Cannon Beach, adjacent to the RV parking area, and near the City Park and Visitors Center.
- Sea Lion Rocks - Part of the Oregon Islands
National Wildlife Refuge, this offshore bird sanctuary is easily viewed from
the complimentary binocular station at Ecola State Park.
- Chapman Point - In North Cannon Beach, and observable from Ecola State Park, is Chapman Point. The “Bird Rocks” around this area are known for supporting the largest colony of the penguin-like Common Murres (approximately 28,000). The nearby Ecola River Estuary provides further birdwatching opportunities.
Marine & Tidepool Life
- Tidepools
There
are several good tidepool exploring opportunities in and around Seaside.
The best time to explore tidepools is at low tide, so first things first
- check the local tide table. Plan your tidepool
adventure about an hour before low tide, so that the ocean will be receding.
At low tide, tidepools are formed amongst the rocks in "The Cove" at
the South end of Seaside. 
The
most accessible tidepools are located at the base of Haystack Rock in Cannon
Beach. However, the collection or removal of anything is prohibited and
punishable by fine, as this area is designated as a Marine Garden. To preserve
the wildlife that call this rock formation home and for your own safety,
climbing on the rock past the designated signs is also prohibited.
When exploring tidepools visitors should tread carefully as there are life forms everywhere, and the rocks can be very slippery. It is also very important to always keep an eye on the ocean and never turn your back to it. Even when the tide is receding, "sneaker waves" will surge high up onto the beach and rocks.
Try
to be patient when investigating tidepools. A pool that may appear lifeless
at first glance will often reveal a multitude of activity when observed
a little while longer. Common tidepool residents you are likely to see
include hermit crabs, anemones, barnacles, mussles, fish (sculpin), chiton,
and sea stars. If you pick up any creature to examine it, always be sure
to put it back in exactly the same place as you found it since many of
these animals are highly specialized and may die if placed in a slightly
different area.
To learn more about tidepool creatures, visit the Seaside Aquarium, or visit the local bookstores to purchase tidepool guidebooks. - Whale Watching
Grey whales migrate along the Oregon coast twice a year, during the winter and spring months. Approximately 30,000 whales travel past Seaside on their way to and from their Alaskan feeding grounds and the warmer waters of Baja, Mexico where they give birth.
This
incredible migration adds up to about 12,000 miles round trip! During the
winter migration, which usually occurs around December and January, the
whales cruise South at a steady pace of about 3-5 miles per hour. The spring
migration lasts quite a while longer, generally beginning in March and
lasting through June. During this migration, the whales with their newborn
calves, tend to swim much closer to shore as they travel North towards
their feeding grounds.
While whales can be spotted from the Cove, and even from the beach in Seaside, it's easier to spot them from a higher viewpoint. A favorite location for whale watching is atop Tillamook Head at Ecola State Park. You can get there by taking the Tillamook Head hiking trail, or you can drive South on Hwy 101 to the first Cannon Beach exit and take a right (following the signs to Ecola State Park). Another excellent location is from the Neahkahnie Mountain Viewpoint, South of Cannon Beach and just before Manzanita on Hwy 101. Driving South, you can't miss this viewpoint, it's incredible!
When spotting whales, it's easiest to look for their spout. When the whales surface to exhale, they release a whitish, misty puff that, on a calm day, can be easily seen with the naked eye. Once you've spotted your first whale, you can observe it more closely with a pair of binoculars, and chances are you will start to see more spouts & more whales. If you're lucky you might see a grey whale calf, or even a whale breach out of the water! - Seals & Sea Lions
Harbor seals, elephant seals, and sea lions are sometimes spotted around Seaside. Hoardes of sea birds and fishermen in the Cove is usually a sign that there has been a population explosion of fish, and this is when you're more likely to see (and hear) the seals. For pictures of recent seal activity in the Cove, click here. Seals are also seen at Silver Point in Cannon Beach, where pups will sometimes lounge on the beach, wating for the mother seal to return from feeding. Sea Lions are a common sight to the North in Astoria, where they bask on the docks at the East Mooring Basin. It's important to remember never to approach a seal, as they can be quite dangerous if they feel threatened. If you are in Seaside, you can notify the Aquarium or the Police so that someone can make sure the animal is not harassed by anyone. - Unusual Creatures
The
waters off Seaside are also home to a large assortment of marine life,
including numerous species of whales, sharks, fish and other creatures.
We usually don't see most of these animals, but occasionally an animal
will wash up on the beach. If you encounter and unusual animal washed up
on the beach, contact the Seaside Aquarium. Even a dead animal can provide
scientists with valuable information and research opportunities. For example,
numerous reports of a species not normally found on the Oregon coast could
prompt researchers to take a closer look at what might be the cause . .
. and whether it is natural or the result of human actions.
Other Wildlife
The
different natural environments within the Seaside area support a large and
diverse range of animals. From the coastal rainforest atop Tillamook Head to
the Necanicum Estuary and the coastal shoreline, there are numerous wildlife
viewing opportunities. All of these locations also feature fantastic bird-watching
(see above).
Roosevelt
Elk, Black-tailed Deer, Raccoons, Rough-skinned Newts, Red-legged Frogs, Douglas
Squirrels, and Townsend’s Chipmunks are just some of the animals you
might encounter on any of the local hiking trails that take you through the
spruce, hemlock and alder forests in the area. Check the Hiking page for details
on the different hiking trails to choose from. For better viewing of the local
Roosevelt Elk populations, there are scenic helicopter rides that can take
you over their feeding grounds, or for a day trip you can visit the Jewell
Meadows Wildlife Refuge where wintering Elk can be easily observed. The Jewell
junction is located East of Seaside off Hwy 26.
The
two rivers that flow through Seaside, the Necanicum and Neawanna, provide visitors
with many wildlife viewing and recreational opportunities. Along with the always
popular birdwatching, fishing, and crabbing activities, you can also tour the
waterways on canoes, kayaks, or paddleboats (rentals available), or take a
stroll along the Necanicum river-walk. 
The
Necanicum Estuary can be accessed several ways. On South Holladay, behind
Seaside High School, a parking lot and boardwalk provides easy access and viewing
of the estuary. Access the estuary walking trail South of the 12th Avenue parking
lot, or visit Gateway to Discovery, located just off Hwy 101 in North Seaside.
This natural history center sits on 10 acres of estuary land, and knowledgeable
staff are happy to answer questions and guide you on your exploration of Seaside’s
rich and diverse natural wonders.
Where to Observe Wildlife
In addition to the hiking trails above, there are several areas in and around Seaside where you can observe wildlife. A few of the best locations are listed below:
- Neawanna Natural History Park
Known
by a few different names, including "Alder Mill Pond," "Chapman
Ponds" or simply "Mill Pond," this area is part of the Neawanna
watershed. Located in South Seaside on the East side of Hwy 101, you can
get there by taking Ave. ‘S’ and turning South onto an unmarked
paved road (park alongside the road). Just behind the city shops you will
find a series of interconnected ponds and wetlands, home to a diverse range
of wildlife. Hundreds of species of birds as well as numerous species of
plants, mammals, fish, insects, reptiles and amphibians are known to inhabit
this vital part of the North Coast ecosystem. - Necanicum River Estuary
The
Necanicum Estuary (where the river meets the ocean) is a rich, diverse
natural habitat and a great place to explore. Begin your excursion from
the 12th Avenue parking lot (the North ending of the Promenade). Just on
the other side of the Prom railing you will find a worn trail that heads
North through the beach grass. You could actually use this trail as a "natural" extension
of your walk down Seaside's Prom! Follow the winding trail through the
dunes and you will eventually come to the mouth of the Necanicum, where
you can continue to wind around the estuary. To explore the other side
of the river estuary, visit the Necanicum Estuary Park behind Seaside High
School on South Holladay, or the Gateway to Discovery Natural History Center
(website)
off Highway 101. As you walk, watch for Great Blue Heron - a common sight
year-round along the North Coast, especially near the river estuaries.
They can often be seen wading in shallow water, stalking fish and other
prey. With a wingspan of about 6 feet and a height of around 4 feet, the
Great Blue Heron is quite a sight. Other birds you may see include various
species of hawks and eagles, waterfowl, seabirds, gulls, swallows and songbirds. - The Cove
Even
through the bustle of summer activity, wildlife still abounds in the Cove.
Located at the South end of Seaside, you can walk to the Cove from the
beach, or take Avenue 'U' and turn left onto one of the side streets. From
your parked car or the nearby benches, you can observe the multitude of
shorebirds (binoculars or scope recommended) and other wildlife. Occasionally,
whales, sharks seals and sea lions are spotted in the Cove. This area becomes
a wildlife hotspot when fish populations explode, and literally thousands
of birds flock to the area. See recent wildlife activity in the Cove here.
Respect our Local Wildlife
Do
not touch injured birds or mammals - report such cases to the Seaside Police
(503)738-6311, Seaside Aquarium (503)738-6211, or contact the Wildlife Rehab
Center of the North Coast by paging them at (503) 338-3954.
When hiking, always stay on the developed trails and refrain from taking "short cuts." Wandering off of the trails causes soil erosion, damage to native plants, and disturbs wildlife, including nesting birds. Dispose of any trash in the proper receptacles. Plastic bags and other trash items severely injure and kill birds and other wildlife, so if there is no trash can nearby, you need to pack it out of the area with you.
At times seals may be encountered along the beach. Never approach such animals, and if you have a dog, take extra precautions to keep them under control. You can contact the Seaside Police or Aquarium (numbers above) so that they can help keep the public from harassing the animal. However, please note that during the Spring, seal pups are often left on the beach while the mother seal is out hunting in the ocean. These seal pups are not abandoned, the mother will return shortly.
Pet owners should always keep their pets leashed, under control, and clean up after them.
