Cape Lookout juts 2 miles into the Pacific like a narrow green blade. The trail that runs its spine is one of the best coastal hikes in Oregon: 2.5 miles through old-growth Sitka spruce forest, with the ocean dropping away on both sides and gray whales passing below from December through June. On a clear day, you can see 40 miles of coastline from the tip. On a foggy day, you walk through cloud and old trees and trust the sound of the surf to tell you where the edge is.
The state park at the base of the cape has tent sites, RV sites with partial hookups, yurts, and cabins. It is a beautiful campground, and it is also limited: no full hookups, no sewer connections, no restaurant, and reservations book out months ahead for summer weekends. If you want to hike Cape Lookout without fighting for a site that does not have sewer, there is a better setup 25 minutes north on Tillamook Bay. Roam Tillamook RV Resort sits in Garibaldi, a fishing village on the bay, with 179 full-hookup RV sites, 31 tent sites, 20 cabins, an on-site restaurant, a fish and crab cleaning station, a kayak launch, and a sauna. You drive down to Cape Lookout for the hike, then come back to hot showers, a meal at Kelley’s Place, and a full-service campsite on the water.
Cape Lookout State Park: What You're Coming For
The Cape Trail (2.5 Miles One Way)
This is the signature hike. The trail starts from the upper trailhead parking lot and runs 2.5 miles out to the tip of Cape Lookout, losing about 400 feet of elevation along the way, which means you are climbing 400 feet on the way back. The path cuts through dense Sitka spruce and western hemlock forest with ferns and moss covering everything that is not moving, and the final viewpoint at the cape’s tip is a 270-degree panorama of open Pacific. Whale watching from the tip is some of the best on the Oregon coast: gray whales migrate south from December through January and north from March through June. Allow 2 to 3 hours for the 5-mile round trip. Dogs are allowed on leash, and there is no fee if you park at the upper trailhead.
South Trail, North Trail, and Netarts Bay
The South Trail runs 1.8 miles from the campground to a driftwood-covered beach south of the cape, flat and easy through forest, good for families who want beach access without a car. The North Trail runs 3 miles from the campground north along the spit toward Netarts Bay, mostly flat through forest and dunes with less traffic than the Cape Trail. Netarts Bay, just north of the park, is one of the cleanest estuaries on the Oregon coast: shallow, protected from ocean swells, and excellent for clamming, crabbing, and kayaking.
Cape Lookout State Park vs. Roam Tillamook
Cape Lookout State Park’s campground is legitimately one of the best state park campgrounds in Oregon, with a gorgeous setting between bay and ocean and trails that start from camp. It comes with state park limitations that matter for RV campers: electric and water hookups only (no sewer), a dump station rather than at-site sewer, no on-site restaurant, and summer weekends that book out months ahead. The trade-off is straightforward. For a weekend focused entirely on the Cape Trail, the state park wins on proximity. For a longer trip where you want to hike, crab, fish, eat well, and come back to a hot shower and a full-service site, Roam Tillamook is the better base at 25 minutes away.
Explore More Nearby
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Roam Tillamook RV Resort by RJourney
Roam Tillamook RV Resort is the closest full-hookup RV base to Cape Lookout State Park, 25 minutes south on the Three Capes Scenic Route, with bay frontage, cabins, and tent sites in the working village of Garibaldi. The resort sits directly on Tillamook Bay in a town of about 800 people built around commercial fishing, crabbing, and the Port of Garibaldi. You can watch crab boats working from your site, and the tide shifts the whole mood of the place twice a day. The park ran for years as Old Mill RV Resort before transitioning to the Roam brand and joining the RJourney network.
The footprint is the largest in the Roam lineup: 179 full-hookup RV sites, 31 tent sites, and 20 cabins on Tillamook Bay frontage. Pull-through and back-in sites are both available, with bay views on the waterfront row. About 40% of guests come to fish or crab, which tells you something about the location. The Port of Garibaldi crab docks are 2 minutes away, bay crabbing runs year-round, and the on-site fish and crab cleaning station gets steady use.
Sites & Hookups
The resort has 179 full-hookup RV sites with water, sewer, and electric service, plus 30-amp and 50-amp service across the property. Pull-through and back-in sites are both offered, with bay views on the waterfront row. Those sites carry the strongest demand and book earliest in peak season. A dump station is on-site.
31 tent sites round out the camping side for guests who want a budget-friendly setup with the same waterfront access. A 4-acre dry camping field is available for groups at $500 to $900 per night, which works for multi-family trips, club rallies, and meetups.
What's On-Site
The standout amenity at Roam Tillamook is the waterfront itself. The park sits on Tillamook Bay with kayak launch access at camp, and the fish and crab cleaning station gets steady use from the roughly 40% of guests who come to fish or crab. The Port of Garibaldi crabbing docks are 2 minutes away by car; bay crabbing runs year-round and ocean crabbing typically runs December 1 through October 15.
For everything else, the park keeps things straightforward: free WiFi that supports streaming, a sauna, a camp store, modern bathhouses with showers, a playground, RV and boat storage, and Kelley’s Place restaurant and bar on-site (21+). Horseshoe pits and cornhole sit in the central common area for evening play. One operational note: Garibaldi is windy, with sustained 50-plus mph gusts common, and the resort triggers a shelter protocol at 80-plus mph. Secure awnings and stake tents thoroughly.
What Guests Say
4.2 stars across 419 Google reviews. What guests praise: the waterfront location on Tillamook Bay, which gives a different coastal-camping experience than the typical ocean-frontage park; Garibaldi’s small-town atmosphere with dogs welcome around the waterfront; the proximity to Rockaway Beach for off-leash beach trips; and the cabin patios with propane firepits as a comfortable evening setup in the rain or wind. Fishermen, about 40% of the park’s visitors, frequently mention the cleaning station and the bay views. The waterfront row of RV sites carries the strongest demand and books earliest. What guests flag: wind. Sustained 50-plus mph gusts are normal in Garibaldi, particularly in winter and spring. The resort’s shelter protocol at 80-plus mph is a real operational measure. Wind-sensitive guests should book a cabin or know what they are walking into.
Other Camping Options Near Cape Lookout
A few other campgrounds serve the Cape Lookout and Netarts Bay area. Availability and policies change, so call ahead before making plans.
Cape Lookout State Park Campground
Tent sites, RV sites with electric and water hookups, yurts, and cabins on a spit between Netarts Bay and the Pacific. The Cape Trail starts from camp. No full hookups and no restaurant, and summer reservations book out months ahead through Oregon State Parks. Visit website.
Netarts Bay Garden RV Resort
A bay-front RV resort on Netarts Bay with full-hookup sites, boat rentals, crab and clam gear rentals, and a seafood cleaning station. Closer to Cape Lookout than Garibaldi but a different setting than the working-waterfront town of Garibaldi. Open year-round. Visit website.
Things to Do Near Cape Lookout and Tillamook Bay
The Port of Garibaldi crabbing docks are practically next door to Roam Tillamook, 2 minutes from camp. Bay crabbing runs year-round, and ocean crabbing season typically runs December 1 through October 15. You can drop pots off the dock, rent a boat, or buy fresh crab from the commercial fishermen, and the park’s cleaning station is right there when you get back. Netarts Bay, just north of Cape Lookout State Park, is one of the cleanest estuaries on the coast and excellent for clamming, crabbing, and kayaking.
The Three Capes Scenic Route is a 40-mile loop connecting Cape Meares, Cape Lookout, and Cape Kiwanda, taking 2 to 3 hours with stops. Cape Meares has the lighthouse and the Octopus Tree; Cape Lookout has the headland trail; Cape Kiwanda has sandstone cliffs and dory boats. Cape Kiwanda and Pacific City are 25 minutes south, where the Pelican Brewing Company sits right on the beach. The Bayocean Peninsula, 15 minutes south, is a 7.8-mile loop trail on a sand spit between Tillamook Bay and the Pacific, with common elk sightings. Munson Creek Falls, Oregon’s tallest waterfall in the Coast Range, is a short shaded hike 35 minutes south.
The Tillamook Creamery is 15 minutes south on Highway 101, with a free self-guided tour, an ice cream counter worth the line, and over a million visitors a year. Cannon Beach, 30 minutes north, has Haystack Rock, tide pools, and galleries, and is the most photographed spot on the Oregon coast, especially at low tide. The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad runs a heritage steam train between Garibaldi and Rockaway Beach along Tillamook Bay, with the depot steps from the resort.
Seasonal Guide for Cape Lookout Camping
Summer (June through August)
Peak season. Daytime highs in the mid-60s to low 70s, since the Oregon coast stays cool even in summer, and fog burns off by late morning most days. Cape Lookout State Park books out months ahead for summer weekends; Roam Tillamook has more availability but summer weekends still fill, so book 2 to 4 weeks out. This is the best season for combining the Cape Trail with beach days, crabbing, and the full Three Capes Scenic Route.
Fall (September through October)
Crowds thin, the light gets softer, and the Cape Trail feels more like wilderness than it does in July. Whale migration picks up. September is often one of the best weather months on the Oregon coast. Rain increases through October, but it is a strong shoulder season for hiking with fewer people.
Winter (November through March)
Storm season. Rain is frequent and wind is significant, and the drama of winter storms hitting Cape Lookout is genuinely spectacular if you are into that. Bay crabbing stays open all winter. Roam Tillamook operates year-round with long-term rates of $700/month plus $100 utilities. The Cape Trail is hikeable but expect mud, wind, and reduced visibility.
Spring (March through May)
Gray whale migration peaks in March and April, and wildflowers start showing up along the coastal trails. Weather is a coin flip between clear and rainy, sometimes within the same hour. A solid shoulder season for hiking Cape Lookout with fewer people and the best whale watching of the year.
Practical Tips for Cape Lookout and the Oregon Coast
The parking lot at the upper trailhead fills by mid-morning on summer weekends. Starting by 8 AM gets you a spot and puts you on the trail before the crowds.
The Oregon coast can swing 15 degrees in an hour when fog rolls in. Even in July, bring a fleece and a rain shell for the Cape Trail.
The Port of Garibaldi has rental gear and bait. Bay crabbing does not require a boat: a dock, a pot, and some patience is the whole setup.
The Oregon coast is known for rogue waves that sweep much further up the beach than expected. Stay off logs near the waterline and keep your distance from the surf base at headlands.
Garibaldi's wind is persistent. Stake tents aggressively, retract awnings when you leave, and weight anything that can blow. The flip side: the wind keeps bugs almost nonexistent.
Summer reservations at the state park open 6 months ahead through Oregon State Parks. Popular weekends fill within days. If the state park is full, Roam Tillamook is your best full-service alternative at 25 minutes away.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Cape Lookout trail?
The Cape Trail is 2.5 miles one way (5 miles round trip) from the upper trailhead to the tip of Cape Lookout. The trail is rated moderate with about 400 feet of elevation change. Allow 2 to 3 hours for the round trip. The trail passes through old-growth Sitka spruce forest with ocean views on both sides and a panoramic viewpoint at the tip.
Can you camp at Cape Lookout State Park?
Yes. Cape Lookout State Park has tent sites, RV sites with electric and water hookups (no sewer), yurts, and cabins. The campground sits on a spit between Netarts Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Summer reservations book out months ahead through Oregon State Parks. There are no full hookups at the state park campground.
What is the closest full-hookup RV park to Cape Lookout?
Roam Tillamook RV Resort in Garibaldi, OR is 25 minutes from Cape Lookout State Park and offers 179 full-hookup RV sites with water, sewer, and electric (30/50-amp). The resort also has 20 cabins, 31 tent sites, an on-site restaurant, and a fish and crab cleaning station. It sits directly on Tillamook Bay.
Is Cape Lookout good for whale watching?
Cape Lookout is one of the best whale watching spots on the Oregon coast. The cape extends 2 miles into the Pacific, putting you directly above the gray whale migration route. Peak southbound migration runs December through January, and peak northbound migration runs March through June. During peak periods, you can spot whales from the trail tip without binoculars.
Can you crab near Cape Lookout?
Netarts Bay, just north of Cape Lookout State Park, offers crabbing access. From Roam Tillamook RV Resort, the Port of Garibaldi crabbing docks are 2 minutes away and bay crabbing runs year-round. Ocean crabbing season typically runs December 1 through October 15. The resort has a fish and crab cleaning station on-site.
What is the Three Capes Scenic Route?
The Three Capes Scenic Route is a 40-mile loop road connecting Cape Meares, Cape Lookout, and Cape Kiwanda along the Oregon coast near Tillamook. The drive takes 2 to 3 hours with stops and passes through old-growth forest, coastal headlands, and beach communities. Cape Meares has a historic lighthouse, Cape Lookout has the 2.5-mile headland trail, and Cape Kiwanda features sandstone cliffs and Pacific City’s dory boat fleet.
Does Roam Tillamook have an on-site restaurant?
Yes. Kelley’s Place is an on-site restaurant and bar at Roam Tillamook RV Resort. It is a 21+ establishment. The resort is located at 210 3rd St, Garibaldi, OR 97118, directly on Tillamook Bay, with 179 full-hookup RV sites, 31 tent sites, and 20 cabins.
Plan Your Cape Lookout Trip
Cape Lookout is the kind of hike that sticks with you: old-growth forest, whale spouts below the headland, ocean on both sides of a trail that feels like it is walking you out to the edge of the continent. Pair that with Tillamook Bay's year-round crabbing, the Three Capes Scenic Route, and a base camp with full hookups and a restaurant, and you have a trip that fills a week without repeating a day.
Roam Tillamook RV Resort by RJourney puts you on the bay in Garibaldi, 25 minutes from the Cape Lookout trailhead, with the kind of amenities the state park campground does not offer. See all site types, rates, and live availability on the Roam Tillamook RV Resort page.
Check Availability (503) 322-0322