Major Trail at Ecola State Park Crumbles Into the Sea

Clatsop Loop Trail at popular Oregon coast park closed due to dangerous landslide conditions

Apr. 19, 2026 at 2:22am

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting in muted tones of grey, green, and blue, capturing the dramatic scale and power of the Pacific Ocean as it erodes a coastal trail, with the remaining path disappearing into the turbulent waters.The crumbling of a popular trail at Ecola State Park underscores the ongoing challenges of maintaining public access along Oregon's geologically unstable coastline.Cannon Beach Today

Only two weeks after Ecola State Park on the north Oregon coast reopened from a months-long closure, a major trail has now been shut down due to significant slope failure and erosion that has caused sections to completely collapse into the Pacific Ocean. Oregon State Parks has closed the west portion of the Clatsop Loop Trail, warning that conditions are extremely hazardous and prohibiting public access.

Why it matters

Ecola State Park is a beloved coastal destination known for its scenic trails, but the area is prone to major landslides that have caused extensive damage and closures in the past. This latest incident highlights the ongoing challenges of maintaining public access and safety in geologically unstable regions along the Oregon coast.

The details

According to Mike Baden, spokesman for the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD), the Clatsop Loop Trail has become 'very dangerous' due to 'significant and ongoing slope failure.' Baden said that 'this portion of the trail is actively collapsing and, in several areas, has completely eroded into the ocean.' OPRD has closed the west section of the trail and is assessing the full extent of the damage, with no timeline provided for when it might be reconstructed and reopened.

  • On April 6, 2026, Ecola State Park had just recently reopened to the public after months of repair work on a previous landslide that shut the park down on December 11, 2025.
  • The latest landslide that has closed the Clatsop Loop Trail occurred only two weeks after the park's reopening.

The players

Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD)

The state agency responsible for managing Ecola State Park and other public lands in Oregon.

Mike Baden

Spokesman for the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department.

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What they’re saying

“Oregon State Parks has closed the west section of the Clatsop Loop Trail at Ecola State Park due to significant and ongoing slope failure. This portion of the trail is actively collapsing and, in several areas, has completely eroded into the ocean. Conditions are extremely hazardous, and public access is prohibited for everyone's safety.”

— Mike Baden, Spokesman

“We know this closure impacts visitors who love and regularly use this trail, and we sincerely appreciate the public's patience and understanding while our teams assess the damage. Visitor safety remains our top priority, and we ask all park guests to respect posted closures and avoid the west section of the Clatsop Loop Trail as we work to better understand the extent of the slide.”

— Mike Baden, Spokesman

What’s next

There is no estimate on when the Clatsop Loop Trail might be reconstructed and ready for hikers, as Oregon State Parks assesses the full extent of the damage.

The takeaway

This latest incident at Ecola State Park serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges of maintaining public access and safety along Oregon's geologically unstable coastline, where landslides and erosion can quickly render popular trails and infrastructure unusable.