Winter low tides reveal Neskowin Ghost Forest Skip to content

Tillamook Coast Life Blog

Winter low tides reveal Neskowin Ghost Forest

The Tillamook Coast is spectacular no matter what the season, but winter is the only time you are likely to glimpse the Neskowin Ghost Forest. The petrified remains of roughly 100 Sitka spruce trees are more than 2,000 years old and only visible during the lowest December, January and February tides.

Before the late 1990s, the stumps were mere local legend, with longtime south Tillamook County residents saying they only emerged once every several decades, and then only briefly. However, since the winter of 1998, the barnacle-encrusted Ghost Forest has reliably returned year after year.

In their prime, the trees would have been enormous, towering 150 to 200 feet tall. Experts say the spruces were initially buried as a result of a massive earthquake plunging higher ground to below sea level. A subsequent tsunami most likely then enveloped the trees in sand.

Despite the allure of the ancient forest, Neskowin is worth visiting in its own right. The unincorporated village of 179 year-round residents is concentrated at the beach near Proposal Rock and Hawk Creek. An artists’ community, it is located mere miles from the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology. Along with two golf courses, Neskowin is home to the Café on Hawk Creek and the Neskowin Provisions general store.

Before planning a trip to visit the Neskowin Ghost Forest, check local tides. Meanwhile, watch this video to see ocean waves churn over and between the petrified stumps.

Video Link

By LeeAnn Neal

Photo by Wolfram Burner

A Picture of LeeAnn Neal
LeeAnn Neal
LeeAnn Neal’s great-great-great grandfather Elbridge Trask and great-great grandfather Warren Vaughn were among the Tillamook County pioneers who built the Morning Star ship and who are featured in the Don Berry cult historical fiction novels “Trask” and “To Build a Ship.” LeeAnn was a journalist on the north Oregon coast for nearly 20 years, as well as a freelance writer and blogger for a wide range of publications throughout the country. She was the owner and editor of the Tillamook County Pioneer, a popular online newspaper. Sadly, LeeAnn’s life ended too soon. She is missed greatly in this community, but she left us with wonderful stories.
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