The Neskowin Ghost Forest offers a hauntingly beautiful bridge to the past — a forest frozen in time, whispering stories from beneath the waves.

The drive out to Cape Meares feels like a transition. The highway narrows, the forest thickens, and the air grows cooler and heavier with salt. Sitka spruce and hemlock line the road, their tops swaying gently as if whispering to one another. You instinctively lower the radio, where conversation drops off and everyone starts staring out the window.

At the heart of the park is Fogarty Creek itself, a modest coastal stream that flows westward from the forested hills of the Coast Range and empties directly into the Pacific Ocean. This meeting of environments creates a dynamic landscape where freshwater mingles with salt, forest transitions into beach, and wildlife thrives in the overlap.

Early mornings or late afternoons often provide softer lighting, making for beautiful photos. Overcast days give the site a moody, cinematic vibe, while sunsets cast a golden glow over the rugged coastline.