Three Arch Rocks

We visited Portland in June of 2026.  I wanted to see as many arches as possible on the trip, especially along the northern Oregon coast.  I studied online and found several that we could stop and see.  Three of these were in the Three Arch Rocks.  The three rocks are called Shag Rock (largest and closest to shore), Finley Rock (the largest opening but hardest to see), and Storm Rock (the farthest from shore).  We drove Highway 101 and followed google maps directions for Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge, which was a big mistake because it took us up on the mountain and ended in a residential neighborhood that didn't have any views of the rocks.  As we were driving into town along Netarts Oceanside Highway, we stopped briefly at Symons State Viewpoint and could just barely see the opening of the middle rock.   We parked at Oceanside Beach parking lot and visited both Oceanside Beach, as well as walking through the tunnel to the very unique Tunnel Beach.  We could see all 3 rocks, but not the openings in any of them.  

I did some more research online and learned that in order to see the openings of the Three Arch Rocks, you have to drive to Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge.  We parked at Cape Meares and walked down the path to the Cape Meares Lighthouse.  The path to the left allows great views of the Three Arch Rocks.  You can see the openings in all 3, although the middle one's opening is hard to see without the right lighting.  I could see the opening a lot better once I got the photos on my computer at home.  Here is a video of our visit to Three Arch Rocks:  Three Arch Rocks

The lighthouse is open for visits at 11 a.m.  We walked back up on the other path and saw more rocks with tiny sea arches in them, including one that the sea would pour in through the opening with every wave that rolled in.

Cape Meares Lighthouse is located here:  Cape Meares Lighthouse

Three Arch Rocks are located here:  Three Arch Rocks

The largest rock is called Shag Rock

I would recommend making the trip to Oceanside Beach and going through the tunnel to Tunnel Beach.  That was just as fun as seeing the arches!

The Three Arch Inn, as we were coming into town on Netarts Oceanside Highway

Oceanside Beach

There are the three arch rocks as viewed from Oceanside Beach.  You can't see the opening in any of the rocks.

Storm Rock on the right, Finley Rock that you can kind of see where the opening is, in the middle, and Shag Rock on the far right in this photo

view from Oceanside Beach

Oceanside Beach -- people were heading into a tunnel at the northern end of the beach.  We decided to follow them and see where it went!

The tunnel into the  mountain at Oceanside Beach

entering the tunnel

heading to Tunnel Beach from Oceanside Beach

Unfortunately, people decided to graffiti the tunnel

the end of the tunnel - this tunnel was created with dynamite in 1926 to be able to access both beaches without having to go into the water

view from the tunnel opening

view of the three rocks from Tunnel Beach

Tunnel Beach

a small cave on Tunnel Beach

still no view of the arch openings in Three Arch Rocks

my husband and I at the tunnel opening on Tunnel Beach

view into the tunnel

Tunnel Beach

Three Arch Rocks at Tunnel Beach

Shag Rock with little Seal Rock on the right

Tunnel Beach - I was curious about that cave on the far right, but didn't want to venture into the water to see what it was like.

one last look out the tunnel at Tunnel Beach

heading back through the tunnel

back on Oceanside Beach, I ventured to the end of the beach to see what this cave was like

the cave opening - I almost went in there -- almost.  The waves splash into it regularly and I got a bit scared and decided against going inside and possibly getting trapped by water.

view from the cave

the depth of the water at the cave, without waves

a better look at the cave -- I would fit through that opening.  Just a bit risky with the waves constantly coming in.

a look back at Oceanside Beach

We stopped at Symons Viewpoint for a look at the Three Arch Rocks

this is the view of the three arch rocks from Symons Viewpoint

You can kind of see the opening in Finley Rock from Symons Viewpoint

Finley Rock actually has the largest arch opening, but because of the rock behind it on all ends it is the hardest opening to see.  I've found photos online from above or at sea where you can see the large arch opening of Finley Rock.

Storm Rock

Shag Rock -- the opening is visible on the far left

the openings of both Shag Rock and Finley Rock are visible in this photo, it's just hard to tell because of the rock behind them.

we decided to head to Cape Meares Lighthouse to get a much better view of the arch openings

the parking area at Cape Meares

The arch in Shag Rock is very visible as we start to walk on the trail at Cape Meares parking area

Shag Rock

You can also see the arch opening in Finley Rock in this photo, although it's hard to tell because of the rock behind it.

the opening in Finley Rock is pretty visible in this photo, as well as the very obvious opening in Shag Rock.

the opening in Storm Rock was just barely becoming visible as we continued down the trail towards the lighthouse

you can begin to see the opening now

all 3 openings are becoming visible now

Finley and Storm Rock openings are obvious now

Finley Rock Arch and Storm Rock Arch openings

Shag Rock Arch

Finley and Storm

If the lighting were a little bit different I feel like the Finley Arch would be quite obvious even from a distance.

All 3 arch openings visible

The Cape Meares Lighthouse

view from the lighthouse with three arch rocks behind us

Cape Meares Lighthouse

I think the arch opening in Shag Rock is the most impressive, because of how huge the rock is.

Finley and Storm Rock arches

the inner trail leading back up to the parking lot

one last look back at the rocks

this small rock that is viewable from the inner trail on the opposite side of the cape as the three arch rocks has a tiny arch opening that we watched the waves splash through

it looks a little bit like a small elephant

this other triangular rock also has a tiny arch opening in it

little elephant rock

triangle rock

heading back to Portland from the coast

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.  

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