Beware Internet Rumors: Yes, N. Oregon Coast's Hug Point is Shut Down and Unsafe

Published 01/15/26 at 6:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Cannon Beach, Oregon) – You gotta love the internet rumor mill. And when it comes to Hug Point on the north Oregon coast, it's been working overtime. No matter how clearly reporters or officials state that the Cannon Beach-area fave is closed – truly closed and unsafe – there's always a host of social media voices that try to convince you otherwise.

Yes, Virginia: Hug Point is closed. At least for now. Shut down. Unsafe. Not good. Dangerous. A hazard. A broken-limb or two waiting to happen. Not to mention you could wind up a True Crime story of sorts.

Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) spokesman Mike Baden admitted the place is causing confusion. To those who still insist “Yes you can get down there” - No, you can't. The parking lot is literally closed off.

Oregon Coast Beach Connection had to go full Washington Post-mode on this one, nagging Baden for a load of annoyingly pedantic details, all because of that rumor mill.

Baden gracefully clarified.

“The entire park is closed right now: the parking lot, trails, and beach access are all off-limits,” Baden said. “Physical barricades are in place at the top of the parking lot along U.S. Highway 101, and closure signs are posted both there and facing the beach near the damaged access point. It’s very hard to miss the closure messaging.”

If you're online and telling people it's fine to go down there, it seems you haven't been there yourself. There are signs. The parking lot is closed. Really? What more of a signal do you need?

Heavy rains and king tides took out the only real access there and the park closed in November. Half that stairway is gone. And when it's going to get fixed is quite a bit down the road. Storm season has to end first and all kinds of drainage issues need to be addressed.

To borrow from Monty Python and John Cleese: “This access is no more. It has ceased to be. It is an ex-beach access.”

With some claiming there are alternative accesses, OPRD says nope. If there are, they're even more dangerous than the snaggle-toothed stairway that now awaits its first split femur.

Southern Cannon Beach / Silver Point

“The beach access is unsafe for everyone, regardless of physical ability,” Baden said. “There is only one official beach access at Hug Point. Any other 'way down' people claim to be using is unsanctioned, unsafe, and causes further damage to an already fragile landscape.”

Yet there is one silver lining if you're the adventurous type that's really set on creating your own rickety, slippery path down: you could become part of public record and the rest of us could enjoy it in local court legal notices.

Photo Steven Bash: Hug Point filled to the brim with storm waves

It turns out, it's illegal. Losing your rig and your way home from the coast is also a possibility.

“Because the park is fully closed, citations are one enforcement tool, and we may also tow illegally parked vehicles if needed,” Baden said.

Arcadia Beach - Oregon Coast Beach Connection

Just a couple of miles down the road is Arcadia Beach (Arcadia Beach Tour ) access, and the northern portion of Arch Cape is not far from the southern end of Hug Point. OPRD is suggesting Arcadia or even Short Sand State Park just down the road, closer to Manzanita.

Oregon Coast Beach Connection suggests the untouched extreme southern part of Cannon Beach as well - where you may see bedrock and what's beneath the sands here. See Silver Point, near Cannon Beach, Oregon Coast: Complete Guide

As to when Hug Point might get fixed, that's still a mixed bag of news.

“We’re currently working through design and permitting for the rebuild,” Baden said. “A major factor in the failure was improper parking lot drainage, and that must be corrected before we can safely reconstruct the access. Our hope is to reopen the park before Oregon’s Spring Break, but that depends on the progress of engineering and permitting.”

Hotels in Cannon Beach - Where to eat - Cannon Beach Maps and Virtual Tours

 

 

Raucous Oregon Coast View in Lincoln City or Depoe Bay Spotlighted in May
Some of these sights cost a little less through mid May. Depoe Bay hotel reviews, Lincoln City hotel news

Old Oregon Coast Vibe in Full 'Swing' at Lincoln City Beach Cabin
The Nantucket also features a hot tub and ocean views. Lincoln City hotel reviews, Lincoln City events, Lincoln City vacation rentals

Reviews of The Seashore Inn, Seaside
11 Jun 2026 at 4:35am
We stayed in late winter and it was gorgeous in spite of the rain. Storm was perfect. You all made our belated 25th anniversary really special. Carmel and J. Seaside, Oregon hotel reviews

Newport Hotel Reviews: These BnB Views and Amenities Will Blow Your Mind
11 Jun 2026 at 4:35am
A tiny BnB and historic home gets a new life, injected with charm and style. Ocean House Newpor

 

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....

Washington Coast / Oregon Coast Articles (stories are random: hit reload to see different articles)

NOAA Feds Looking Into Crimes After Initials Carved Into Washington Coast Whale
18 May 2026 at 10:02am
Someone had also tried to remove baleen - all federal crimes. Marine sciences

Oregon Coast Authorities Offer Tips on Safe Vehicle Travel with Your Pet
8 Jun 2026 at 12:09am
Lincoln County Sheriffs urge take these extra precautions. Traffic

Fatal Crash on Oregon Coast Highway - Also Dog Rescued from Cliff in Cannon Beach Area
10 Jun 2026 at 7:01am
Fatal wreck near Cannon Beach; dog rescued from cliff; woman commits suicide in front of many. Traffic, rescue, crime

U.S. Issues Some International Travel Restrictions Due to New Ebola Virus Strain
22 May 2026 at 9:34pm
No cases are being monitored within the U.S.; restrictions only for some incoming travelers. Safety

Shop at the Dock and Discover Oregon Seafood Return to the Coast for Summer
27 May 2026 at 9:15pm
Back to Newport, Garibaldi events, Port Orford events, Winchester Bay events, Brookings events, Newport events, Pacific City events

Free Fishing Weekend All Over Oregon, Coastline
1 Jun 2026 at 10:05pm
Oregon's Free Fishing Weekend returns June 6 - 7, 2026. Brookings events, Gold Beach events, Port Orford events, Coos Bay events, Bandon events, Florence events, Yachats events, Newport events, Lincoln City events, Rockaway Beach events, Manzanita events, Cannon Beach events, Seaside events, Astoria events

South Oregon Coast's Beloved Charleston Seafood Festival Back, June 27
19 Jun 2026 at 9:06am
More food, more activities - and it's back to the Coos Bay area. Coos Bay events

Journey to the Center of the Oregon Coast: Florence's Fourth of July
23 Jun 2026 at 9:05pm
A variety of Florence events in one day

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright © Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted