Short Sand Beach (Smuggler's Cove)

A two-hour drive from Portland, Short Sand Beach is anything but short, running in a continuous ribbon of sand for somewhere over four miles. Located within Oswald West State Park, it’s popular with both surfers and body boarders, who call it Shorty’s. They come for the shorebreak off Smuggler’s Cove, which protected by jutting arms of the surrounding cliffs, offers relatively consistent waves throughout the year.

To reach Short Sand Beach you have to be prepared to walk a few hundred yards through mature coastal forest from the main car park. But if you enjoy a good walk Short Sand Beach is definitely the place for you, with trail heads leading off in several directions.

In addition to the trees, visitors can expect to chance upon attractive waterfalls, basalt outcrops from long extinct volcanoes, and sandstone cliffs that typify this stretch of Oregon coastline. The less active will appreciate the cluster of picnic tables overlooking the beach. Other basic facilities include public toilets.