Oregon’s Quietest Beach Has a Waterfall, Caves & Tide Pools Behind Giant Sea Stacks

Secret Beach, Oregon

Located in the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, this isn’t just another stretch of pretty sand. It’s a whole FOUR beaches in one, a waterfall that dumps right onto the sand, and towering sea stacks. Here’s why Secret Beach is one of the best places to add to your Oregon trip list.

It’s a literal secret beach

Unlike most beaches along the Oregon coast, you won’t find any official signs directing you to it from Highway 101.

There are no large markers announcing its presence, which naturally keeps visitor numbers lower than at more developed parks.

The beach sits quietly at the northern edge of the Samuel H. Boardman corridor with a trailhead that’s easy to miss even when you’re actively looking for it. GPS isn’t much help either, often showing multiple “Secret Beach Trailheads” in the area.

You’ll have to search for the hidden parking area

Secret Beach is located 12 miles north of Brookings and 16 miles south of Gold Beach, at the northern edge of the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor.

The hard-to-spot parking area means fewer people make it to the beach, giving it a quiet, almost magical feeling.

Look for an unmarked pullout on the west side of Highway 101 near milepost 345. Many experienced travelers miss it on their first try.

The forest trail also keeps casual beachgoers away

Getting to Secret Beach involves a short but beautiful hike.

While most Oregon Coast beaches can be seen from the road, Secret Beach requires walking through forest, setting it apart from easier-to-reach spots.

The trail passes through dense coastal woods with tall Sitka spruce trees, ferns, and plants unique to this region.

As you walk, you’ll hear waves crashing and Miller Creek flowing toward the ocean.

The final scramble down to the beach requires navigating some rocks. Nothing technical, but just challenging enough to deter the flip-flop-wearing crowd.

It’s actually four separate beaches in one spot

What many people don’t realize is that Secret Beach is actually multiple beaches.

During low tide, you can explore the entire Secret Beach area, including four distinct beaches, sea caves, and multiple hiking trails.

When the tide rises, these separate sections disappear, making your timing crucial. Each beach area has its own character.

Most visitors stop at the main beach, but venture further during low tide and you’ll find hidden coves and areas where you might be completely alone.

A waterfall runs directly onto the beach sand

The standout feature that makes Secret Beach special is its waterfall. Minor Creek creates a picturesque waterfall that drops directly onto the sand.

The waterfall flows from Miller Creek straight onto the beach and into the ocean, creating beautiful color contrasts from green to blue.

You can walk right up to it, feel the spray, and watch fresh water meet salt water.

The sea stacks create a natural windbreak

When people talk about Secret Beach, they often mention the sea stacks first.

The beach features distinctive sea stacks positioned 50-200 yards from shore, creating a sheltered feeling despite the open ocean views.

These massive rock formations topped with wind-shaped Sitka spruce trees create scenes that look like they belong on a postcard. Their arrangement helps block strong winds, making the beach comfortable even on breezy days.

Low tide reveals hidden caves in the rock walls

Your timing needs to be right with the tides.

You can check out three sea caves that connect to a grotto, hidden behind rocks that most people walk right past. At very low tide, you can walk completely through a large sea cave that cuts through the rock formations.

Inside these caves, you’ll discover colorful sea life on the walls such as anemones, starfish, and mussels thriving in this protected environment.

Bring a flashlight to see everything clearly, and always watch the tide tables.

Marine mammals often swim close to shore

The quiet nature of Secret Beach makes it great for wildlife watching.

The beach attracts seals and sea otters that often swim and fish near the shore, sometimes coming quite close. People have spotted sea lions in the shallow water by the beach and swimming among the offshore sea stacks.

You might also see various birds, from cormorants on the sea stacks to hunting ospreys.

The tide pools contain vibrant sea stars

Secret Beach offers some of the best tide pools with bright orange and purple sea stars, clusters of anemones, and crabs moving across the rocks.

The tide pools spread throughout accessible areas, especially around the bases of sea stacks and in the southern section.

Because the cove is somewhat protected, the pools tend to be calmer and clearer than at more exposed beaches, giving you better views of what lives inside.

The light changes the beach throughout the day

If you enjoy photography, Secret Beach provides endless opportunities.

The lighting changes dramatically throughout the day, with morning shadows giving way to full midday light that’s ideal for photos.

The beach transforms with the changing light – sand darkens when wet, rocks shine in sunlight, and the sea stacks take on different colors depending on the angle of light, looking most dramatic in early morning and late afternoon.

You can see more scenic spots within minutes

Secret Beach sits in the middle of one of Oregon’s most beautiful coastal areas.

The Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor around Secret Beach includes other amazing spots like Natural Bridges, Arch Rock, and Thunder Rock Cove, all within short distance.

A bit further away, you’ll find Harris Beach State Park with its wide shoreline, and the towns of Brookings and Gold Beach for meals and places to stay.

For an extended adventure, Redwood National Park is only about an hour away, letting you see some of the world’s tallest trees on the same trip.

Low tide makes all the difference for your visit

The unmarked parking area is at milepost 345.3 on Highway 101, north of the guard rail on the ocean side.

Time your visit with low tide to see all four beaches, sea caves, and hidden areas. The main trail runs about 0.75 miles with a steep forest section.

High tide limits access to just one section.

Dogs are allowed but must be on leashes. Wear sturdy shoes for the rocky climb down to the beach, and always check tide tables before going.

There are no facilities at the beach, so bring water and take all the trash with you.