Hiking the Indian Beach Trail on the Oregon Coast
Distance: 4.5 miles / 7.2 km
The Indian Beach Trail in Ecola State Park is, without a doubt, the best trail to see the rugged views along the steep and dramatic Ecola coastline!
That being said, the hike can begin from either Ecola Point or Indian Beach. However, this post is written from Ecola Point because, in my experience, Ecola Point is the most popular direction to begin the trail.
Crescent Beach vs. Indian Beach Trail
In my opinion, I prefer the Crescent Beach Trail because the hike takes you down to a secluded stretch of the Oregon Coast where the only people that you will encounter are other hikers.
However, Indian Beach, like Ecola Point, is a drive-up location, meaning that hiking the trail between Ecola Point and Indian Beach feels less rewarding because you end near the Indian Beach day-use area—a place that makes more sense to drive if you’re try to explore the Oregon Coast on limited time.
All said, I don’t want to discourage anyone from hiking the Indian Beach Trail, as the hike offers far more panoramic coastal views along the rugged sea cliffs compared to Crescent Beach.
Read My Separate Post: Crescent Beach Trail
Indian Beach Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Indian Beach Trail is located in a large parking lot for Ecola Point, as well as the Crescent Beach Trail.
There is a small fee to visit in Ecola State Park, but the fee is good for all destinations within the park that you may want to visit.
Google Maps Directions: Indian Beach Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Oregon Coast
Black bears can be found up and down the Oregon Coast, but hiking with or without bear spray is truly up to your own discretion and comfort level when adventuring in black bear territory.
Furthermore, here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike on the Oregon Coast.
Hiking the Indian Beach Trail
On account of landslides altering the course of the original trail, the hike from Ecola Point to Indian Beach has since been rerouted into the trail that you see in this post.
After the bridge, the Indian Beach Trail transitions into a natural hiking surface, which may become muddier in the wetter winter months.
At the first viewpoint, you can see the erosion along the cliffs, which is more prone to sliding during periods of wet weather.
Landslides like this is why the original Indian Beach Trail was altered into what it is today.
Overall, the Indian Beach Trail is almost entire uphill until the middle of the trail, regardless of which trailhead you start from.
However, from the middle of the trail to either beach, the hike will be entirely downhill, as the trail acts as one big hill to climb up and over.
Don’t step on the slugs!
As the trail nears Indian Beach, the views start to open up in every direction.
Just before the beach, there is a split for both the parking lot and the Indian Beach.
Go left to reach the end of the trail.
Indian Beach
At the end of the trail, the beach opens up in every direction.
Indian Beach makes for a great place to explore, it’s popular among surfers, and it’s simply a great place to sit back and relax!
Overall, Indian Beach wasn’t nearly as busy as Ecola Point, in my experience.
