Oregon Coast's Goonies Rock Actually Keyhole Rock - Movies Made a Blob Famous (Sort of)

Published 01/01/21 at 7:05 PM PDT
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Cannon Beach, Oregon) – You could start this article off with a hearty “Heeeey You Guys…..” That seems overkill, however, as all you need to do is mention Goonies and Oregon coast in the same phrase and you've got the interest of many piqued.

The Goonies movie of the mid-80s was to most a goofy, even schlocky kids cinematic foray, but to increasing hordes over the decades it became a cult monster. Much of it was filmed right here in Oregon, in Astoria, but some especially famed bits happened in Cannon Beach. However, one iconic scene is often credited with being filmed here – but it wasn't. And yet one very famous blob at Indian Beach is sometimes associated with the movie anyway.

The big outstanding feature here at Indian Beach is the rock structure in the distance once called "Goonies Rock," with a giant, gaping hole in it. It's actually called Keyhole Rock - at least now it is. It did go by that misnomer for awhile, however.

In the movie, there's a major scene where involving a pirate ship and this kind of gigantic “keyhole” marker, but that – and the entire final scene – was done in California. Somehow, a large misunderstanding and more than a few internet rumors caused some to think that hole was the one at Indian Beach. But it's not.

For whatever reason, the name Goonies Rock stuck. Luckily, that's gotten less murky over the last two decades and everyone seems to call it Keyhole Rock now. Yet it was actually sea stacks in California that were used in the movie, used in the decoder sequence.

You could, however, get a brief glimpse of Keyhole Rock in the Twilight movie and this spot appeared briefly in the original Keanu Reeves version of Point Break back in the '90s.

Called Keyhole Rock - but not actually in the movie

At the northern edges of Cannon Beach’s Ecola State Park - about 1.5 miles beyond the main section - you’ll come upon this crescent-shaped cove lined with cobblestones, offering an engaging view of mysterious Tillamook Rock Lighthouse and a cluster of rocky formations constantly hammered by large waves. At the cove’s far southern end, you can scramble over a set of big boulders to reach additional rock slabs, perfect perches for watching the surf crash furiously against the outcrops that dare to stand in its way.

This rocky semi-circle is enclosed by two headland areas, with maybe a quarter mile worth of walking area. Granted, it's mostly covered with stones and doesn't have much in the way of flat sandy areas, so it's not the best spot for lying around. But it is undeniably beautiful and cozy, with a viewpoint and a picnic table sitting above its northern end. And it is a major surfing hotspot.

At the parking lot for Indian Beach is the main trailhead going over Tillamook Head. It's another six miles to Seaside from there.

More Goonies / Oregon Coast Movie Facts:

Ecola State Park from above

Goonies' presence here was for a bit outshone by the fact the first Twilight movie was also filmed in this spot. Yes, Keyhole Rock appeared in that movie as well. (Hmmm…..crossover universe???) The attention seems to have swung back again.

The Fratelli's were the bad guy family of crooks in the movie, and their hideout was a specially-constructed building at the bluff at Ecola State Park. The Scottish neo-blues alt rock band The Fratellis did indeed get their name from the movie.

Robert Davi played Jake Fratelli, and he went on to be famous for many things. Another more powerful cult following is the Stargate fanbase: Davi played the insidious character Kolya in the Stargate Atlantis series. In a wacky coincidence, Davi was born in Astoria – Astoria, New York, that is. Hotels in Cannon Beach - Where to eat - Cannon Beach Maps and Virtual Tours

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