Sand Dunes, Stunning Sea Glass, And Scenic Views Await On Oregon's Uncrowded Peninsula

While Oregon is known for its lush forests, high deserts, snow-capped mountains, and remote hot springs, its rugged Pacific Coast is perhaps its greatest outdoor asset. The Beaver State boasts miles of largely unspoiled ocean shoreline complete with stunning offshore rock formations, dramatic headlands, and wind-swept stretches of sand.

Many people head to the Oregon Coast to simply unwind amidst nature, while others pursue activities such as kayaking, kite-flying, ATV riding, and agate hunting. Sea glass is also a sought-after treasure with some beach-combers, and the Bayocean Peninsula is one of the best places in the state to find it.

Sticking out for 4 miles like a slender finger into the mouth of Tillamook Bay, the Bayocean Peninsula is remarkable for its pristine sands and raw, undeveloped state. Once home to an ill-fated resort complex, the sea eventually reclaimed all of the buildings. Today you will only find sand dunes, salal bushes, and pine trees — and if you're lucky — a few shimmering pieces of sea glass.

The Bayocean Peninsula's peculiar history dates back to 1906, when a real estate developer had a vision for a luxury resort project. Eventually a town was built, complete with cabins, paved roads, electric lights, a movie theater, a dance pavilion, a bowling alley, and a heated, saltwater, artificial wave pool called the "Bayocean Natatorium." While the complex thrived for some years, the dream was never quite realized. Over time the harsh ocean environment began to take its toll, with beach erosion eating away at the sand and destroying homes. The last house fell into the ocean in 1960, finally delivering the peninsula back to Mother Nature.

The Bayocean Peninsula now lies within the boundaries of a county park. With Tillamook Bay on one side and the surging Pacific on the other, it offers beautiful marine views on both sides. It's also home to a number of hiking trails and a gravel road that make exploration quite easy, and visitors can backpack and camp at one of a few primitive sites. Just know that there are no amenities — only the wind, waves, and sand. That said, if you're looking for solitude and pristine beach conditions on the Oregon coast, the Bayocean Peninsula delivers this in spades.

The Bayocean Peninsula is also a prime place to hunt for sea glass. Sea glass is created by shards of old bottles worn down by the ocean over years and deposited back on the shoreline. These unique gems can be found up and down the Oregon Coast — where the strong surf and frequent pebble beaches create the perfect conditions for dulling and polishing glass — and the Bayocean Peninsula is known as a particularly productive spot among rockhounds.

The Bayocean Peninsula connects to the mainland at Cape Meares, which is one of Oregon's most arresting scenic viewpoints, boasting sweeping vistas of the Pacific waves rolling past rocky islands and outcroppings amidst old-growth forest. During the winter and spring, Cape Meares is an excellent spot to watch for migrating gray whales and the cliffs are also home to thousands of seabirds. While you're there, make sure to check out the famous octopus-shaped Sitka spruce, along with the iconic Cape Meares Lighthouse, whose beacon is still visible more than 20 miles out to sea.

Tillamook Bay and its surroundings also offer loads of opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Hikers can explore 200 acres of pristine nature at Kilchis Point Preserve, or check out the cliffside views at Cape Lookout State Park. The region is a paddler's paradise, with the Tillamook County Water Trail boasting more than 200 miles of navigable routes across five watersheds. Surfers can hit the waves at this gorgeous, budget-friendly beach, and anglers will find plenty of opportunities to hook into feisty salmon, steelhead, or trout in one of the five rivers emptying into Tillamook Bay.

The Bayocean Peninsula is a straight shot out to the coast from Portland (the nearest airport) that takes about an hour and 40 minutes by car. For lodgings, check out the Ashley Inn of Tillamook or the Oceanside Inn. For more of Oregon's incredible natural scenery, head on this loop road trip that hits many of its hidden gems.