N. Oregon Coast's Ecola State Park Closed Due to Landslides That Cracked Road

Published 12/15/25 at 7:35 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Cannon Beach, Oregon) – Cracked roads and landslides have again taken a chunk out of the fun at a major Oregon coast park. The Cannon Beach area's Ecola State Park is closed until further notice because of buckling roads caused by landslides. (Photos City of Cannon Beach)

All other area parks are open – except for Hug Point, which was shut down last month due to heavy erosion that made beach access dangerous.

Mike Baden, spokesman for Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD), said the damage is augmented by the steady stream of heavy rains, which are coming back this week.

“Last week’s atmospheric river triggered landslides along Ecola Park and Indian Beach Roads,” Baden told Oregon Coast Beach Connection. “Due to significant movement of the south slide on Ecola Park Road over the weekend, Ecola State Park is closed to all vehicle traffic as of this morning. For public safety, the park has been secured by locking the southernmost gate and placing barricades across the roadway at 8th Street.”

No estimate on reopening can be made until work can be started – which is a ways off, thanks to weather.

“We are actively exploring options to restore access and assessing how this closure affects visitors and the local community,” Baden said. “Progress is currently limited by ongoing wet weather, forecasted rainfall that could cause additional slide movement, as well as material availability and other logistical challenges.”

Baden said the agency encourages visitors to check the park’s webpage for updates.

“In the meantime, we suggest visiting Oswald West State Park, located about 12 miles south of Ecola,” he said.

Active landslides are an issue throughout the favorite north Oregon coast park, and some run through the only road going in. Heavy rains often cause one section or another to wash out each winter, or areas begin to slip and eventually collapse. The most recent washouts happened in 2020 and 2021, with further work closing it down in 2022.

It has a rather striking history of landslides, one of which involved a girl going missing: Intense History at Oregon Coast's Ecola State Park: Murder, Landslide, Explorers .

It's barely been a month since Hug Point was closed down because of similar issues. More on Hug Point Closure: Damage at the N. Oregon Coast Legend, Possible Timeline

The stairway and other ways to get to the beach have either stripped away or become much more dangerous. OPRD closed that one off with signs.

The stairway to Hug Point has been taken out by tides and rebuilt several times over the last 25 years. During major wave events, the small beach can fill up at times, looking not unlike the Devil's Punchbowl farther south on the central Oregon coast.

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

Beachcomber Vacation Homes.  Numerous vacation rentals in the Cannon Beach area, including Falcon Cove and Arch Cape. Depending on the home, you may find amenities and luxuries such as a barbecue, claw foot tub, a ship's ladder. 115 Sunset Blvd. Cannon Beach, Oregon. 855-219-4758. 503-436-4500. Website.

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