Short Sand Beach sits in Oswald West State Park between Manzanita and Cannon Beach, reached by a short forest walk from signed Highway 101 parking areas. The cove draws surfers, families and hikers, while seasonal Blumenthal Falls reaches the sand during wetter months.

Updated August 2026: Oregon State Parks describes the main approach as about a half-mile each way. Use this guide for the beach experience, then check the Oregon Hiking Guide and Oregon Coast Guide for nearby trails and trip planning.

The Short Sand Beach Trail In Oregon

The main Short Sand Beach route is an easy walk of about 1 mile round trip from the signed Oswald West State Park parking area along Highway 101. Use only legal parking spaces and never walk along the highway shoulder from an unsafe pullout.

Check out the map below to see the parking lot and Oregon trailhead.

The route follows Short Sand Creek through coastal forest. Allow extra time for wet roots, mud, foot traffic and carrying beach or surf equipment; a fixed completion time is not useful for every visitor.

The main trail is short and family-friendly, but it is not universally accessible: expect natural surfaces, damp bridges or boardwalks, roots and seasonal mud.

The park is open year-round when conditions allow. Summer usually brings the largest crowds, while fall through spring can mean heavier rain, mud, wind, high surf and occasional storm damage.

Those looking for a longer hike will enjoy the nearby Cape Falcon Trail, which is 4.6 miles and is a moderately challenging hike.

This area is popular for birding, hiking, surfing, and looking for ocean life in tidepools.

Parking can fill early on sunny weekends and summer days. Arrive with a backup plan, do not create an illegal roadside space, and expect to share the trail with surfers carrying boards.

Blumenthal Falls At Short Sand Beach

One of the things people love about Short Sand beach (simply known as Shorty to those who visit often to surf), is Blumenthal Falls. This waterfall comes down over a 15 foot rock face onto the beach and into the ocean. Blumenthal Falls can dry up in warm summer months, but can be seen in cooler wetter months if you make the trek to Short Sand Beach.

The waterfall used to be known as Smugglers Cove Falls, but was re-named after Oregon State Park ranger Dan Blumenthal after his death in 1999.  He and another ranger were shot in the head and left for dead on the trail to the beach.  His partner survived but sadly Blumenthal became the first Oregon State Park ranger to be killed in the line of duty.

Camping Near Short Sand Beach

There is no camping at Oswald West State Park. Nehalem Bay State Park is the main nearby state-park camping option; private campground names, seasons and availability can change, so confirm directly before traveling and use the current Oregon State Parks reservation system.

RELATED: Top 26 Oregon Coast Campgrounds

Before you go: Check Oregon State Parks alerts and the coastal forecast, keep dogs leashed, pack out waste, and stay back from unstable cliffs. Sneaker waves, logs and rising tides can be dangerous even inside a protected-looking cove.

Have you visited Short Sand Beach? What's your favorite spot to visit along the Oregon coast? Share your photos with us and tag the friends and family you want to go with!