Discover Oregon's Hidden Gem: Harris Beach State Park Shines Bright

As of August 7th, 2025, National Geographic has highlighted Harris Beach State Park on the Oregon coast as one of eight underrated state parks that offer an amazing nature experience without the huge crowds. Located just north of the California border, the park has been praised as a hidden gem, providing visitors with stunning sea stacks, abundant tide pools, and a popular 155-site campground right beside the ocean.

Among the impressive geological features are Arch Rock and Goat Island. Arch Rock, situated just south of the main day-use parking lot, is a broad rock formation with a sharp notch in its center where the surf pours through, offering excellent opportunities for sea life viewing during low tide. Goat Island, a 21-acre rock off the coast of Harris Beach, is the largest island off the Oregon coast and a national wildlife sanctuary and breeding site for seabirds like the tufted puffin.

National Geographic recommends Harris Beach State Park as an alternative to the crowded Olympic National Park in Washington, stating that visitors can find a similar experience in the natural wonders of the Oregon coast. The article also suggests exploring the nearby Klamath Mountains and Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park in California for a taste of the mountains and rainforests found in Olympic National Park.