Oregon Coast Officials Ask for Feedback on Prohibiting Vehicles on Manzanita Beaches

Published 03/02/25 at 7:15 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Manzanita, Oregon) – One small Oregon coast community is looking to completely ban driving on its otherwise pristine and untouched beach, as currently this is allowed to some small degree.

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is inviting public feedback on a proposed rule change that aims to limit vehicle access along the ocean shore near Manzanita.

Under the current vehicle restrictions in Tillamook County (OAR 736-024-0015), the beach adjacent to Manzanita allows limited vehicle access between October 1 and April 30, from 7 AM to noon. Additionally, vehicles for boat launching are permitted year-round.

There are few areas on the Oregon coast where some amount of driving is permitted, and this is one of them.

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However, a recent resolution by Manzanita's City Council has urged the Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission to consider a year-round prohibition on vehicle use on this beach section. The council cited growing beach recreation, ecosystem preservation, and public safety concerns as reasons for the proposed change.

OPRD will accept public comments on the proposed rule change until 5 p.m. on April 7, 2025. Comments can be submitted to:

Online at Oregon.gov.

Via mail to OPRD Department, attn: Katie Gauthier, 725 Summer St NE, Suite C, Salem OR 97301.

Email to OPRD.Publiccomment@oprd.oregon.gov

Attend the virtual Public Hearing:

Monday, March 24, 5:30 PM. Registration required to provide public comment: https://us06web.zoom.us/ webinar/register/WN_ymEpgyxLT8KaOnLxjkAHvg

Watch the Public Hearing: Watch the hearing: https://www.youtube.com/ @oprddirectorsoffice5783/streams

Once the public comment period ends, Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission will consider possible adoption at a meeting in the spring or fall of this year.

Areas legal to drive on the beach at other Oregon coast areas have been decreasing in numbers in recent years, with Tierra Del Mar banning it and Lincoln City shortening the window for driving on two of its beaches. The pristine state of Oregon beaches is much of the attraction of this region, and a larger percentage of Oregon residents welcome this shift away from vehicles being allowed on the sand. MORE MANZANITA BELOW

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Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast.

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