Coast Explorer Magazine - The Explorer's Guide to the Oregon Coast and Washington Coast

Regional Highlights

Image Depicting Rockaway Beach

Rockaway Beach

With seven miles of uncrowded sandy beach to spread out on, Rockaway Beach offers a serene seashore experience for beachcombing, kite flying, family activities or just kicking back and admiring the sights and sounds of the surf. Offshore, scenic Twin Rocks can be seen. Rockaway Beach is a family friendly community with over 300 motel rooms and abundant beach home rentals. Nearby freshwater lakes offer fishing and paddling. Rockaway Beach is a stop on the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad where visitors can tour the coast behind a classic steam locomotive, just like the old days when the "Daddy Train" plied this route. Ocean fishing charters are only five miles away in Garibaldi.

Rockaway Beach Area
Attractions and Recreation:

  • Lake Lytle

    Rockaway's largest lake features kayaking, fishing, an angling dock and county boat launch open to the public. The lake is stocked mid-March through early May with legal rainbow trout as well as cutthroat trout.

  • Jetty Fishery

    Fishing and crabbing, boat rentals, live crabs.

  • Rockaway Beach Wayside

    The most popular of all the beach access points to Rockaway Beach is located on S. 1st Ave. and visible from U.S. Hwy 101.

  • Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad

    June through September choose from a ninety-minute scenic tour or a three-hour dinner tour along the coast of Oregon between Garibaldi and Wheeler.

  • Barview Jetty Park

    The closest campground to Rockaway Beach, Barview offers RV and tent camping facilities plus hot showers and easy beach access.

  • Manhattan Beach State Recreation Site

    Just off Highway 101 north of Rockaway, this no-fee day-use park offers picnic tables in small cul-de-sacs with shore pine windbreaks. A short access trail leads to the beach.