Haystack Rock is the 235-foot sea stack that defines the skyline at Cannon Beach, and at its base lies one of the most accessible and biologically rich tide pool systems on the Oregon Coast. When the ocean pulls back at low tide, a protected marine garden emerges around the rock, full of sea stars, anemones, and tide pool sculpins. It is a highlight of the Oregon Coast Trail 5-day itinerary and an easy, kid-friendly stop for any north coast trip.
Why Timing the Tide Is Everything
The tide pools are only exposed at low tide, so checking a Cannon Beach tide chart is the single most important step. Aim for a tide of around zero feet or lower for the best access to the pools that ring the base of the rock. A negative tide, often listed as something like minus 1.0 feet, exposes the richest zones and is worth planning a trip around. Arrive 30 to 60 minutes before the predicted low so you can explore as the water keeps dropping, then head back as it turns.
- Check the tide chart for Cannon Beach the day before
- Target a tide near 0.0 feet or a negative tide
- Arrive early, about an hour before the low
- Watch the incoming tide so you are not cut off near the rock
What Lives in the Tide Pools
Haystack Rock is part of the Marine Garden and an Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, so the diversity is remarkable. Look for ochre sea stars in purple and orange, giant green anemones that close when touched by a wave, gooseneck barnacles, hermit crabs, and chitons clinging to the rock. Above the waterline, the rock is a major seabird colony. From spring into summer you can spot tufted puffins nesting in the grassy upper slopes, along with common murres, pelagic cormorants, and pigeon guillemots.
Best Season for Tide Pooling at Cannon Beach
You can tide pool year-round, but spring and early summer are ideal because low tides often fall during daylight and the puffins are present, typically from April through July. Summer brings calmer surf and warmer beach weather. Winter low tides can be excellent too but are frequently after dark or during storms, so check both the tide and the forecast. Always keep an eye on sneaker waves, which are a genuine hazard on this coast.
Tide Pool Etiquette and Rules
The area around Haystack Rock is closely protected. Rangers and Haystack Rock Awareness Program volunteers are often on the beach to help visitors. Please follow the rules so this place survives for the next generation.
- Do not climb on Haystack Rock or the smaller Needles; it is illegal and damages habitat
- Look, do not pry: never remove sea stars, shells, or animals from the pools
- Step on bare rock and sand, not on living anemones or mussel beds
- Keep dogs leashed and away from nesting birds
Make a Day of It in Cannon Beach
After the tide pools, the wide sand stretches for miles toward Ecola State Park to the north and Tolovana Beach to the south, both excellent for long walks. The town of Cannon Beach itself is a few blocks of galleries, bakeries, and chowder houses. To string Haystack Rock together with Cape Falcon, Oswald West, and the rest of the headlands, follow our 5-day Oregon Coast Trail itinerary, which times each segment around tides and parking.
