Oregon Tails

Samuel H Boardman State Scenic Corridor on the southern Oregon Coast

Samuel H Boardman State Scenic Corridor

Twelve miles of southern Oregon coast with thirteen pullouts worth stopping for: sea arches, hidden beaches, the highest bridge in Oregon, and one of the great sunset stretches on the Pacific.

9 min read Free entry Year-round access
13Stops worth your time
12 miOf US-101 coastline
$0Day-use fee
4-6 hrTypical full visit

The Samuel H Boardman State Scenic Corridor is a 12-mile stretch of southern Oregon coastline between Brookings and Pistol River, free to enter year-round, with 13 worthwhile stops along US-101. It is the most photographed stretch of the Oregon Coast for a reason. In those twelve miles, the road links a chain of sea arches, sandstone bluffs, hidden beaches, and clifftop viewpoints that would each be the headline attraction in most state parks. Here, they are stops on the same road trip.

This guide walks the corridor north to south, starting at Arch Rock and finishing in Brookings. Most stops are short walks from a paved pullout. A handful are real hikes that deserve a couple of hours each. Plan on a full day if you want to do it justice. Plan on coming back if you actually want to see all of it in good light.

Why it’s named that

Who was Samuel H Boardman?

Samuel H Boardman was the first superintendent of the Oregon State Parks system, hired in 1929 and credited with building the foundation of what is now one of the largest state park networks in the country. The corridor that bears his name was assembled piece by piece during his tenure, starting in 1949. His goal was to keep this stretch of coastline in public hands before it could be subdivided for vacation homes. He retired in 1950 and the corridor was named for him in 1967.

Samuel H Boardman map

All 13 stops pinned on a single map, in the order this guide covers them. Tap a marker for the stop name, then jump to its entry below for the full breakdown.

All 13 corridor stops, mapped. Powered by Google My Maps.

Best 1-day itinerary, three ways

Pick the plan that matches your time and your light. The corridor faces directly west, so afternoon and evening light hits the sea arches and viewpoints from the front. Mornings get softer side-light and dramatically fewer crowds. Times below assume a starting point in Brookings or Gold Beach.

Half day

Sunrise to noon

5 hours · Best for crowds-free photography and trail solitude

  1. 6:30 a.m. Arch Rock for first light over the sea stacks
  2. 7:30 a.m. Natural Bridges before the tour buses arrive
  3. 9:00 a.m. Indian Sands loop in the calm-air window
  4. 11:00 a.m. Whaleshead for whale watching in winter and spring
  5. Noon Lunch in Brookings or push to Harris Beach

All 13 stops, north to south

Arch Rock State Park viewpoint with offshore sea stacks at the north end of the Samuel H Boardman corridor 01 Viewpoint
North entrance · Mile 0

Arch Rock State Park

Effort Easy Distance Paved walk Dogs Yes

The first stop driving south from Pistol River, and a good warm-up for what’s coming. A short paved path from the parking area leads to a clifftop viewpoint over a cluster of sea stacks and offshore islands. The namesake arch is visible to the north on calm days. Restrooms and picnic tables on site, which makes this an easy first or last stop on the corridor.

For thru-hikers: Arch Rock sits on the Oregon Coast Trail and serves as a popular northern access point for the roughly 18-mile section that runs through the Boardman corridor.
Twin sea arches known as the Natural Bridges along the Samuel H Boardman State Scenic Corridor 02 Trail
Signature stop

Natural Bridges

Length 0.5 mi Difficulty Easy Type Out & back Dogs Yes

The most photographed stop on the corridor, and the one most visitors come for. A short out-and-back trail leads to an overlook above twin sea arches that frame the Pacific. The arches were carved by centuries of wave action through the headland. The viewpoint sits on a cliff edge with no railing, so keep kids close.

Photo timing: Late afternoon is the move. The arches face roughly west, so the sun lights them through the openings around an hour before sunset. We have a full Natural Bridges guide with directions and the deeper-trail option.
Hidden Secret Beach with sea stacks at Samuel H Boardman State Scenic Corridor 03 Trail
Hidden cove

Secret Beach Trailhead

Length 1 mi Difficulty Moderate Type Out & back Dogs Yes

The trail drops through forest, crosses a small creek, and ends at a hidden beach ringed by sea stacks. A small waterfall flows directly onto the sand at the north end when conditions are right. The descent is short but rocky in places, and the route is unsigned at one junction, so it earns its name. Worth the effort if you have a real hour to spend rather than a quick stop.

Tide check: The beach gets cut off at high tide. Check a NOAA tide chart before you head down so you don’t get stranded.
Harbor seals hauled out on the rocks at Secret Beach Secret Beach sea stacks framed by the trail descent
Thomas Creek Bridge, the highest bridge in Oregon at 345 feet, on US-101 04 Bridge
Tallest bridge in Oregon

Thomas Creek Bridge

Effort Drive-by Height 345 ft Dogs Yes

You cross the Thomas Creek Bridge whether you stop or not, and most drivers do not realize they are 345 feet over a creek bed when they do. Two small unmarked pullouts on either side of the bridge let you walk back to a viewpoint that frames the steel arch against the canyon below. Quick stop, big payoff.

Pullout note: The northbound pullout is easier to enter and exit safely. The southbound is a tighter shoulder, so use it only if traffic is light.
Wind-sculpted sandstone bluffs along the Indian Sands Trail at Samuel H Boardman 05 Trail
Most distinctive landscape

Indian Sands Trail

Length 2 mi Difficulty Moderate Type Loop Dogs Yes

This trail does not look like the rest of the corridor. The path opens onto an open expanse of wind-sculpted sandstone that feels closer to high desert than coastal forest, then circles back through low coastal pine. Panoramic ocean views the entire way. The footing on the sandstone is loose, so wear shoes with grip.

Plan around weather: The exposed sandstone section gets brutal in wind, and the corridor is famously windy. Do this trail on a calm morning if you can.
House Rock Viewpoint with cliffs and crashing surf along the southern Oregon Coast 06 Viewpoint
Cliff overlook

House Rock Viewpoint

Effort Easy Distance Short walk Dogs Yes

One of the easiest big-payoff stops on the corridor. A short trail from the parking area lands you at a clifftop viewpoint with panoramic ocean views, dramatic offshore rocks, and the sound of waves hitting the cliffs below. Worth ten minutes even if you are pressed for time.

Whaleshead Viewpoint, named for a whale-shaped rock formation, at Samuel H Boardman 07 Viewpoint
Best for whale watching

Whaleshead Viewpoint

Effort Easy Distance Short walk Dogs Yes

Named for an offshore rock that resembles a breaching whale, especially in the right light. The viewpoint sits above a curving beach with cliffs on either side, and the angle here makes it one of the best whale-watching spots on the entire Oregon Coast during winter and spring migrations. A trail also drops to the beach below if you have time for the descent.

Wildflower meadow above the ocean at Cape Ferrelo Viewpoint, Samuel H Boardman 08 Viewpoint
Wildflower meadow

Cape Ferrelo Viewpoint

Effort Easy Distance Short trail Dogs Yes

A short trail through an open meadow that drops toward the sea, with a payoff view at the headland. June and July are peak wildflower season here, when the meadow turns purple, white, and yellow. Optional spur paths down to the rocks below give you tidepool access at low tide.

Lone Ranch Beach at the south end of the Samuel H Boardman corridor 09 Beach
South end of the corridor

Lone Ranch Beach

Effort Easy Access Paved parking Dogs Yes

The official south end of the corridor. Wide sandy beach, gentle waves, easy parking, and noticeably fewer crowds than Harris Beach a mile south. Restroom on site. Good place to actually sit on the sand for a while rather than just take a photo and move on.

Purple sea star in a tide pool at Lone Ranch Beach Lone Ranch Beach looking north toward the Boardman cliffs
Rainbow Rock sea stack viewed from a roadside pullout south of Samuel H Boardman 10 Viewpoint
Just south of the corridor

Rainbow Rock Viewpoint

Effort Drive-by Distance Short walk Dogs Yes

A roadside pullout just south of the official corridor, with a clear view of the multi-colored sea stack the spot is named for. The stack shows iron-rich orange, white, and gray bands from the cliff erosion. Short walk from the parking area, no real trail required.

Harris Beach State Park with sea stacks and tide pools in Brookings, Oregon 11 Beach
Brookings · Most-visited stop

Harris Beach State Park

Effort Easy Features Tide pools, campground Dogs Yes

The full-facility stop on this list. Wide beach, dramatic sea stacks (Goat Island offshore is the largest island on the Oregon Coast), excellent tide pools at low tide, restrooms, picnic shelters, and a full state park campground. This is where families settle in for half a day, and where most road trippers spend the night before driving the corridor north.

Tide pool timing: Aim for an hour either side of low tide. Check NOAA tide tables before you go and bring shoes you do not mind getting wet.
Harris Beach at golden hour with sea stacks silhouetted against the sunset Dog playing on the sand at dog-friendly Harris Beach State Park
Sheltered Mill Beach below Chetco Point in Brookings, Oregon 12 Beach
Brookings · Locals’ pick

Mill Beach

Effort Easy Vibe Quiet, sheltered Dogs Yes

Smaller and more private than the others, with sea stacks on either side that block most of the wind. Chetco Point is on the left, a smaller formation closes in on the right, and the beach itself faces directly out at the Pacific. The pick on a windy day, when the rest of the coast is being sandblasted.

Tide pools exposed at low tide on Mill Beach in Brookings Mill Beach sea stacks framing the entrance to the cove Mill Beach view from the headland trail above
Paved coastal walk to Chetco Point in Brookings, Oregon 13 Trail
Brookings · Dog-friendly

Chetco Point Park

Effort Easy Surface Paved Dogs Yes

A paved path winds out to the headland at Chetco Point with ocean views the whole way. The trail is short and accessible, the headland itself is a great whale-watching perch in winter and spring, and the park is a favorite among local dog walkers. Closes the corridor road trip on a low-key high note.

View from Chetco Point Park looking south along the Brookings coastline The Chetco Point headland trail at sunset

What to bring on the corridor

The pack list actually matters here

The corridor is exposed, the wind is real, and the trails on this list include narrow cliff sections with no railings. Sturdy shoes, a windproof shell, and water are non-negotiable. A small daypack covers the rest. Tested gear roundups for each piece below.

Best Hiking Shoes Trail runners and low-cut boots tested in Pacific Northwest conditions. See picks → Best Rain Jacket Lightweight shells that handle Oregon coast wind and drizzle. See picks → Best Daypack 15-30L packs sized for short trail days, with rain covers. See picks → Best Water Bottle Insulated bottles that hold up on the trail and in the car. See picks →

More to do near the corridor

The corridor pairs well with a stop in Brookings and the rest of the southern Oregon Coast. Four reader-favorite extensions to the trip.

Brookings

7ish things to do in Brookings

Where to stay, where to walk, and what to do once you’re off the corridor and in town.

Oregon Coast

Cascade Head Trail

A coastal headland with meadow summit views over the Salmon River estuary, three hours north.

Oregon Coast

Cape Lookout Trail

5-mile out-and-back along a ridge that ends with cliff-top ocean views. Dog-friendly on leash.

Oregon Coast

God’s Thumb Hike

A 4-mile bucket list hike to a rock outcrop above Lincoln City, with a meadow finish.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to visit Samuel H Boardman State Scenic Corridor?
Nothing. The corridor is free to enter and there is no day-use fee at any of the trailheads or viewpoints inside it. Harris Beach State Park, just south of the corridor in Brookings, also has free day-use parking. The campground at Harris Beach charges nightly rates, but day visitors pay nothing.
What is there to do at Samuel H Boardman State Park?
The corridor links a chain of trails, viewpoints, and beaches over roughly 12 miles of southern Oregon coastline. The signature stops are the Natural Bridges sea arches, Secret Beach, Indian Sands Trail, Whaleshead, Cape Ferrelo, and the Thomas Creek Bridge. Most stops are short walks from a paved pullout, with a handful of longer trails for hikers. The corridor is also one of the best whale-watching stretches on the Oregon Coast during winter and spring migrations.
Where is Arch Rock in Oregon?
Arch Rock is at the north end of the Samuel H Boardman State Scenic Corridor, off US-101 about 10 miles north of Brookings. The pullout is well-signed and the viewpoint sits a short paved walk from the parking lot. From the overlook you can see a cluster of sea stacks and offshore islands, and on calm days the namesake arch is visible to the north.
How long does it take to drive the Samuel H Boardman corridor?
The corridor itself is about 12 miles of US-101 and takes 20 to 25 minutes to drive end to end without stopping. Stopping at every viewpoint and walking the short trails turns it into a half-day, roughly 4 to 5 hours. Adding the longer trails (Indian Sands, Secret Beach) and the Brookings beaches makes it a full day. The two best ways to do it are sunrise to noon for soft morning light, or noon to sunset for the famous southern Oregon sunsets.
What is the best stop on the Samuel H Boardman corridor?
Natural Bridges is the most photographed and the most iconic, a 0.5-mile out-and-back to a viewpoint over twin sea arches that frame the Pacific. Secret Beach is the most rewarding for hikers willing to do a moderate descent. Indian Sands is the most distinctive landscape, with wind-sculpted sandstone that looks more like a desert than a coastline. For pure ease, Whaleshead and House Rock both deliver big views from short paved walks.
Are dogs allowed at Samuel H Boardman?
Yes, leashed dogs are allowed at every stop on this list. Harris Beach State Park, Lone Ranch, and Mill Beach all allow leashed dogs on the sand. Chetco Point Park is a particular favorite among local dog walkers. The longer trails (Indian Sands, Secret Beach) are dog-friendly but include narrow rocky sections where smaller dogs may need a hand.
When is the best time to visit Samuel H Boardman?
May through October offers the most consistent dry weather and the longest daylight, which matters because the corridor is long and best done unhurried. June and July bring wildflowers at Cape Ferrelo. December through April is prime whale-watching season, with both gray-whale migrations passing offshore. Sunsets are spectacular year-round; the corridor faces directly west, so on a clear evening every stop becomes a sunset spot.

Will

Founder · Oregon Tails

I have driven the Boardman corridor more than a dozen times since starting Oregon Tails, walked every trail on this list across multiple seasons, and shot most of the photos on this page. I have documented over 100 Oregon hikes since launching the site, and the southern coast is where I take every visitor who flies in. More about Oregon Tails · Facebook · Instagram

Last updated May 2026 · Conditions and access change. Check Oregon State Parks before you head out.

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