Arch Cape Arch

Quick Facts:

.29 miles one-way from the edge of the beach to the arch

Very easy

Only accessible during very low tide

Trailhead Location

I planned a trip to Portland, Oregon, and wanted to spend one of our days exploring the arches on the northern coast.  The most intriguing arch along the northern coast was the arch on Arch Cape, because it is only accessible during very low tide.  I studied the Oregon Northern Coast Tide Tables and chose to go in the morning in late June 2026.  The tide was lowest at 6 a.m.  We arrived at Arch Cape Beach at about 9 a.m.

We parked on a neighborhood street on the southern-most end of Arch Cape.  Turn right off of highway 101 onto Leech Lane and park as close to the end of the street as you can.  Then walk down to the beach and head south (left) towards the large rocks.

If the tide is low enough, you should be able to cross Arch Cape Creek and walk between the two large rocks on the southern-most end of the beach.  You might even be able to walk the long way around the rock farthest out into the ocean, if the tide is low enough.  We were able to wade around on that side, but we were also able to walk between the rocks on the sand and lava rock to stand beneath the arch.

I don't know an official name for this sea arch, so I've just called it Arch Cape Arch.  You can watch a video of our visit to Arch Cape Arch here:  Arch Cape Arch

The arch is located here:  Arch Cape Arch

There were several other people in the area near the arch or walking along the beach at Arch Cape.  It was raining and very foggy, so we couldn't see very far.  Apparently there used to be other arches on the cape, but they fell nearly 100 years ago.  That was how Arch Cape originally got its name.  

There are not bathrooms at Arch Cape Beach.  There is an inn called Arch Cape Inn that you can stay at.  You can also drive through the tunnel as you continue on highway 101, which was completed in 1940 and provided a way to travel near Arch Cape along 101.  

During our day along the Oregon coast we also visited Cannon Beach, Indian Beach, Twin Rocks Arch on Rockaway Beach, and Oceanside Beach and Tunnel Beach, along with the viewpoint at Cape Meares Lighthouse.  

Arch Cape is next door to Hug Point, which features a sea cave and a waterfall, but when we visited in late June 2026, Hug Point Beach was closed to the public because erosion had caused damage to the infrastructure on the beach.  I imagine you could access it at low tide by going around the rocks at surrounding beaches, but we didn't attempt it.  I could see people walking along the beach as we drove past it, though, so others had either gone under the barriers or hiked into the beach.

Oregon Coast Highway 101

Driving along Highway 101 is very beautiful.  It is not at all the experience that I've had driving the California coast.  I expected to see sandy beaches, but instead I mostly saw very tall trees.  It's not at all obvious that you are right beside the Pacific Ocean, because you can't see it most of the time.  I don't recall ever driving through such tall trees as I did in Oregon.  There are many beaches along the coast that you can stop at as you drive along Highway 101.  There are a few small towns where you can stop to grab a bite to eat or purchase souvenirs.  We stopped in Rockaway and ate lunch at El Trio Loco III in Rockaway Beach.  We had wanted to eat at the Tillamook Creamery but it closed at 6 p.m. before we could make it back there after our adventures.  

the drive from Portland to the coast, to Arch Cape

It was pretty amazing to know that we were driving right by the coast, and yet we couldn't see the ocean because of all of the tall trees surrounding the 101 highway.

Drive to Leech Lane and park along the residential road.  This will put you on the southern-most part of the beach, the closest to accessing the arch

Arch Cape -- you can see Castle Rock out there in the distance

Castle Rock

You will be going between the large cliff and the rock resembling the famous Haystack Rock.

looking up north at the beach

Castle Rock out in the water

You'll have to cross the creek, which when we went wasn't very high.  But we were there at very low tide.

crossing Arch Cape Creek

The water was coming fast, but was relatively shallow when we crossed it

You can see the rock that the arch is in straight ahead, between the two rocks

a cave beside Arch Cape Creek

We saw so much evidence of the fact that this area is usually under water

our first sighting of the arch opening!

the beach is covered with this lava rock

Arch Cape Arch

Don't attempt to walk barefoot through this -- that would hurt

underneath the arch

Arch Cape Arch

my husband and I under the arch

looking up at the arch opening

view behind the arch

view of the back side of the arch

the beach behind the arch - it's called Cove Beach

lots and lots of barnacles

backside of Arch Cape Arch

me at Arch Cape Arch in late June of 2026

Me inside Arch Cape Arch

The top of the arch, looking up from inside

inside the arch

the back of the arch

barnacles and sea anemones - I walked around the outside of the rock that houses the arch, wading through the rising ocean tide

close look at the sea anemones

the outside edge of the rock that houses the arch

looking out at Castle Rock in the ocean

coming back on the beach after going around the rock that houses the arch

the far end of the rock that houses the arch

Castle Rock in the distance

looking back towards the creek - the two rocks that we had walked through to get to the arch

me in front of the arch

the inside of the arch

small cave near the arch

the cave by the creek

inside the cave

back to Arch Cape Creek again

walking through the creek

Arch Cape Creek

looking back at Leech Lane where we first walked down to the beach

Leech Lane where we parked our car

We visited several other sea arches and beaches along the coast that day.  We went to Indian Beach (Sea Lion Arch), Cannon Beach, Twin Rocks Arch, and Three Arch Rocks.  We wanted to travel down to the Devil's Punchbowl, which is located here: Devil's Punchbowl State Natural Area, but we ran out of time and it was still a couple hours away from our southern-most stop.  It'll have to wait till another trip to Oregon!

Arches in the Portland Area:

Natural Rock Arch

Phantom Natural Bridge

Arch Cape Arch

Sea Lion Arch

Twin Rocks Arch

Three Arch Rocks

Catherine Creek Arch

Places to Stay in Portland

We stayed at the Fairfield by Marriott located in Lake Oswego, which is located here:  Fairfield Inn because it was centrally located to everywhere we wanted to go.  There is not a hot tub, but there is a heated pool and there is a pretty good hot breakfast, which included sausage patties, scrambled eggs, spinach quiche, and sometimes sausage patties or bacon.  There are also waffles, oatmeal, cereal, fruit, bagels, and bread.  The room was comfortable and clean and the staff was friendly.  Their official website is here:  Fairfield Inn & Suites

Resources to enhance your visit to Portland:

These items might make your adventure to Portland more enjoyable.  Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualifying purchases.  This is at no additional cost to you.

Best Easy Day Hikes Portland

Columbia Women's Arcadia II Jacket (this is the rain coat that I use)

Compact Travel Umbrella

Portland Family Adventures

Portland Hiking Guide

60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Portland

Arch Cape Chronicles

Oregon Coast Travel Guide