Located an hour west of Portland, Oregon, the strand of shoreline now called Indian Beach was once home to several Tillamook villages. When passing through on January 8, 1806, William Clark’s guide pointed out these village to the explorer as they searched for a whale carcass that was said to have washed ashore nearby. After passing a five-house village situated on the shore that he called E co-la, meaning “whale creek,” only to find that whale had already been stripped of its usable resources by the locals, and nothing but a skeleton remained. Clark and his men returned to E co-la, where the villagers were busy processing what they’d taken from the whale.
Today, Indian Beach is located inside Ecola State Park, a day-use only park which takes its name from that village. Stretching along 9 miles of coastline, the park offers hiking opportunities and breathtaking scenic vistas, as well as picnicking, tide pooling, swimming, and wildlife observation. It’s also a popular place for surfing.
Ecola Point Viewpoint, Cannon Beach, OR, USA
Distance: 0.74 mi (straight line)
Sakajawea with Lewis and Clark Wireframe Statue, N Ash St, Cannon Beach, OR 97110, USA
Distance: 1.86 mi (straight line)
Les Shirley Park, E 5th Ave, Cannon Beach, OR, USA
Distance: 1.97 mi (straight line)
Ecola Creek Lodge, East 5th Street, Cannon Beach, OR, USA
Distance: 2.04 mi (straight line)
NeCus’ Park, 268 Beaver St, Cannon Beach, OR 97110, USA
Distance: 2.09 mi (straight line)
Whale Park, North Hemlock Street, Cannon Beach, OR, USA
Distance: 2.14 mi (straight line)
DragonFire Gallery, South Hemlock Street, Cannon Beach, OR, USA
Distance: 2.41 mi (straight line)
Cannon Beach History Center & Museum, South Spruce Street, Cannon Beach, OR, USA
Distance: 2.95 mi (straight line)
V2MJ+JH Tolovana Park, Cannon Beach, OR, USA
Distance: 3.11 mi (straight line)
Elmer Feldenheimer State Natural Area, 3528 Sunset Blvd, Seaside, OR 97138, USA
Distance: 3.32 mi (straight line)
Lewis & Clark Salt Cairn Historic Monument, Seaside, OR, USA
Distance: 4.47 mi (straight line)
Seaside Carousel Mall, Broadway Street, Seaside, OR, USA
Distance: 5.13 mi (straight line)
Seaside Aquarium, North Promenade, Seaside, OR, USA
Distance: 5.17 mi (straight line)
Seaside, OR, USA
Distance: 5.21 mi (straight line)
Seaside Museum & Historical Society, Necanicum Drive, Seaside, OR, USA
Distance: 5.42 mi (straight line)
North Gateway Park, U.S. 101, Seaside, OR, USA
Distance: 6.78 mi (straight line)
Cullaby Lake County Park, Hawkins Road, Warrenton, OR, USA
Distance: 11.35 mi (straight line)
Our bi-weekly newsletter provides news, history, and information for those interested in traveling along along the Lewis & Clark Trail.