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Exploring The Neskowin Ghost Forest: One of Oregon’s Natural Wonders Travel By Joe Minihane On Jan 26, 2024 Oregon’s Neskowin Beach - Sunrise and a low tide reveal the Ghost Forest and Proposal Rock. 3 Share The Neskowin Ghost Forest is a state landmark that has certainly earned the popularity it’s garnered over the years — popularity that has literally been thousands of years in the making. The forest itself had been hidden beneath the shores, with only a small portion able to be seen every 20 years or so. It wasn’t until the 90’s that it was finally unveiled. In the winter of 1997-1998, a series of powerful storms rocked the coastal town of Neskowin, Oregon. The harsh weather was strong enough to uncover what we now call the “Neskowin Ghost Forest”. Trending Travel Multnomah Falls: What to Know When Hiking to This Beautiful… Travel Autzen Stadium: Everything You Need to Know About the Home… Travel Hiking The Oregon Timber Gulch Trail: The Best Sights on The… Travel 15 of the Best Restaurants in Roseburg Oregon This site — a tree graveyard, many have called it — is fascinating to come across, especially for those who stumble across the stumps without knowing it’s there. Because of this, the ghost forest has become a very popular tourist destination, visited by many that are curious about its history and wanting to see what the remnants of a forest long since passed looks like. If you’re also curious, here is all you need to know about the forest itself and what to keep in mind when going to see the forest yourself. Table of contents The Story of the Neskowin Ghost Forest The Formation Process of the Ghost Forest Where is the Neskowin Ghost Forest? What to Know Before You Visit Neskowin Ghost Forest: Current Weather Amenities in Neskowin Parking Restaurants Inns Neskowin Ghost Forest FAQ The Story of the Neskowin Ghost Forest Neskowin Ghost Forest at an extreme minus tide with sunrise and fog. When the tide is out, you can find the Neskowin Ghost Forest. It’s a group of around 100 ancient stumps jutting out of the sand and the incoming waves. A majority of each stump is still buried deep into the soil, so there are undoubtedly more to be discovered. The ones that can currently be seen may not look like much, but around 2000 years ago, each stump was once a sitka spruce tree, rising up to around 150-200 feet high . There are actually a few theories around what happened to the trees. One is that it was destroyed due to an earthquake or a tsunami — an event to take all the trees out at once instead of going through the full life cycle of each tree. Despite the event causing the forest to fall, it also helped to preserve what remained. The other theory, and the one that is more agreed upon by scientists and geologists is the theory that it was actually caused by rising sea levels . Sitka spruce trees rely on freshwater, so if they’re fed enough salt water over a long period of time, it will “poison” them. This causes them to eventually die, and because this was due to rising tides, many trees within the forest died off this way. The tides buried the stumps in the soil, ensuring those would be the only pieces remaining when they eventually fell. Whatever the answer may truly be, the stumps were buried deep in the soil, allowing them to be properly preserved until they were once again uncovered in the 90s. Many of these stumps are large, and so when the tide draws out, they create pools within their hollowed stumps where sea life survives until the tides rush back in. They’re covered in barnacles and mussels, and other similar sea life. So why have they reappeared now? After all, before the storms of 97-98, the stumps could only be peeked at every couple decades or so. Now they have yet to bury themselves back in the sand. Well, it’s believed that this is because the sea levels are very similar to what the sea levels were 2000 years ago. Because of this, we can now see the stumps again, but there may be a period in time in the future where the stumps will be naturally buried once again. The area is mysterious, interesting, and has plenty of scientific value; it’s a glimpse into the past, and while it may be destroyed now, that very fact tells a story. 2000 years ago, a disaster caused an entire forest to fall, and now we can observe their remains long after their destruction. It’s a dramatic site, that much is for sure. Thankfully, the Neskowin Ghost Forest is fairly easy to see. You can see them at any time of year, but because of the changing tides, you may have to time your trip to see them just right. You can wander the beaches of the Neskowin Beach State Recreation Site, wandering amongst the preserved trees alone. The winds and the sea birds will accompany you, with the melody of the crashing waves following as you go. For those who consider themselves to be rather spiritual, it’s a very enlightening time, good for meditating with your thoughts and considering what once was and what will be in the future. The Formation Process of the Ghost Forest Drowned tree at Neskowin Ghost Forest. There is a debate going on around the formation of the ghost forest. A large chunk of the internet will tell you it’s due to a one-time force of nature, like an earthquake or a tsunami. However, many scientists and geologists have moved past that theory, and instead have come up with a new theory as to how the ghost forest was formed. Geologists Roger Hart and Curt Peterson, authorities on coastal ghost forests, created their model that I will briefly summarize. The waves eroded the shore as the sea level rose, creating a platform. When the sea levels receded, a forest grew on this platform. Sea levels rose and the trees died due to being poisoned by the abundance of saltwater. Sand accumulated in the forest, burying it slowly over time. This preserved the forest and its soils. Erosion removed the sand, uncovering the ghost forest. Where is the Neskowin Ghost Forest? Neskowin itself is a fairly small and quiet town in Tillamook county , Oregon. It’s about 15 miles north of Lincoln City and on Highway 101, at milepost 98. It’s about a two hour drive from Portland. Geo coordinates are 45.0957, -123.9883. When you’re in Neskowin, you might have heard of “Proposal Rock”, which was named for the marriage proposal of Charles Gage to Della Page at the turn of the century. It’s a small island at the edge of the ocean and is easily visible and accessible. When the tide is out, you can reach there on foot — just try to hurry before the tides roll back in. When you make it to the island, you will climb a relatively short trail to the top. It’s there that you will find a small, secluded, living forest. Just past beside it, at the westernmost point, you’ll find the Neskowin Ghost Forest, set with the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. The views from the top of Proposal Rock can be beautiful, but be careful. There are no guard rails, and try your best to keep an eye on the tides. This includes the ghost forest, if you decide to water between its remains. Believe me, it’s very easy to stub your toe on one of the shorter stumps hidden beneath the water. What to Know Before You Visit The Neskowin Ghost Forest has unique circumstances. While it is on a recreation site, it’s something most people find on their own, and while it may be accessible all day, there are certain periods within the day where you’ll get to see more of the forest. This is among other small complications. Here are some things to know before you visit: Plan your trip around a low tide . If you want to see as much of the forest as you can, you’ll want to wait until the tide has lowered itself significantly enough to reveal the remains of the trees. The weather on the coast is usually different from the rest of Oregon. You can have a heat wave in Portland on a sunny day, but the coast of Oregon will remain dramatically different from the rest of the state. Heavy clouds, fog, and cold tend to be common, so make sure to check the weather in Neskowin before you visit. If you must, go ahead and pack yourself a coat. Don’t wade or swim around the tree stumps while they’re in the water. We’re warning you of this because it’s really painful to accidentally kick your foot against one of those stumps. Neskowin Beach State Recreation Site is pet-friendly. Go ahead and bring your dog along for the ride. Just make sure to bring a leash if you do. Neskowin Ghost Forest: Current Weather Current Weather Daily Weather Hourly Weather Neskowin Ghost Forest, OR 9:51 am, Jan 26, 2024 overcast clouds 48 °F Low: 47 ° High: 53 ° Feels like 45 °F ° overcast clouds Hydrologic Outlook × NWS Portland (Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington) Jan-26 2:03 - Jan-27 7:00 ...PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN WITH RISING RIVERS THIS WEEKEND... A complex low pressure area offshore will maintain mild and moist southwest flow into the region today, lasting into early Sunday. This will bring rain, heavy at times, to northwest Oregon and southwest Washington. Currently, rainfall of 1 to 3 inches is expected across the region, with 2 to 5 inches over the Willapa Hills and Coast Range. Snow levels will be rising Friday, and hover at 7000 to 8000 feet this afternoon through this weekend. With all this rain, and snowmelt from the Coast Range and Cascades, rivers will be rising. As of early Friday morning, river flooding is not expected. However, many small streams and creeks will be running high into Sunday. Heavy rainfall will cause water ponding in low lying areas and other areas of poor drainage. In addition to hydrologic impacts, there may also be an elevated landslide risk. These particularly affects those areas that have seen significant tree damage due to then recent and strong east winds. Humidity Humidity 95 % Pressure Pressure 1017 hPa Wind 7 mph SSE Wind Gust Wind Gust 13 mph UV Index UV Index 0.12 Precipitation Precipitation 0.04 inch Dew Point Dew Point 47 ° Clouds Clouds 100% Rain Chance Rain Chance 100% Snow Snow 0 mm/h Visibility Visibility 5 mi Air Quality Air Quality Fair Sunrise Sunrise 7:42 am Sunset Sunset 5:13 pm Weather Condition Comport Precipitation Day Condition Temperature Temperature Precipitation Amount Rain Chance Rain Chance Wind Humidity Humidity Pressure Pressure Today 12:00 pm heavy intensity rain heavy intensity rain 47 ° | 53 ° °F 0.04 inch 100% 23 mph 94 % 1017 hPa Tomorrow 12:00 pm heavy intensity rain heavy intensity rain 52 ° | 55 ° °F 0.04 inch 100% 26 mph 98 % 1018 hPa Sunday 12:00 pm moderate rain moderate rain 53 ° | 57 ° °F 0.04 inch 100% 16 mph 97 % 1020 hPa Monday 12:00 pm light rain light rain 53 ° | 63 ° °F 0.02 inch 51% 7 mph 70 % 1018 hPa Tuesday 12:00 pm moderate rain moderate rain 53 ° | 57 ° °F 0.04 inch 99% 13 mph 82 % 1010 hPa Wednesday 12:00 pm moderate rain moderate rain 46 ° | 56 ° °F 0.04 inch 100% 18 mph 92 % 1009 hPa Thursday 12:00 pm light rain light rain 39 ° | 45 ° °F 0.01 inch 37% 16 mph 62 % 1014 hPa Friday 12:00 pm light snow light snow 37 ° | 43 ° °F 0.01 inch 22% 8 mph 60 % 1008 hPa 1 to 8 of 0 results Previous Next Weather Condition Comport Precipitation Day Condition Temperature Temperature Precipitation Amount Rain Chance Rain Chance Wind Humidity Humidity Pressure Pressure Today 9:00 am light rain light rain 48 ° | 0 ° °F 0.04 inch 97% 8 mph 94 % 1017 hPa Today 10:00 am overcast clouds overcast clouds 48 ° | 0 ° °F 0.03 inch 77% 9 mph 95 % 1017 hPa Today 11:00 am overcast clouds overcast clouds 48 ° | 0 ° °F 0.03 inch 78% 10 mph 94 % 1017 hPa Today 12:00 pm overcast clouds overcast clouds 48 ° | 0 ° °F 0.03 inch 80% 10 mph 94 % 1017 hPa Today 1:00 pm light rain light rain 49 ° | 0 ° °F 0.04 inch 100% 9 mph 93 % 1017 hPa Today 2:00 pm light rain light rain 49 ° | 0 ° °F 0.04 inch 100% 10 mph 93 % 1016 hPa Today 3:00 pm moderate rain moderate rain 50 ° | 0 ° °F 0.04 inch 100% 10 mph 94 % 1015 hPa Tomorrow 4:00 pm heavy intensity rain heavy intensity rain 50 ° | 0 ° °F 0.04 inch 100% 10 mph 95 % 1015 hPa Tomorrow 5:00 pm moderate rain moderate rain 51 ° | 0 ° °F 0.04 inch 100% 12 mph 96 % 1015 hPa Tomorrow 6:00 pm moderate rain moderate rain 53 ° | 0 ° °F 0.04 inch 100% 19 mph 96 % 1016 hPa Tomorrow 7:00 pm moderate rain moderate rain 53 ° | 0 ° °F 0.04 inch 100% 23 mph 97 % 1017 hPa Tomorrow 8:00 pm light rain light rain 53 ° | 0 ° °F 0.04 inch 100% 20 mph 97 % 1018 hPa 1 to 8 of 0 results Previous Next Amenities in Neskowin Coastal vacation homes in the small town of Neskowin, Oregon. If you like Neskowin and you’re thinking about staying around for a bit of sightseeing, there are plenty of amenities within the community to help make your time comfortable. Parking If you want some free parking, there is a public parking lot directly off of Highway 101 . No pass, permit, or money is needed in order to place yourself in that area. Just make sure to look for a large painted wooden fish and you’ll know you’re in the right area; trust me, it’s not easy to miss. Make sure to stay in this lot instead of any hotel parking lots unless you’re actually staying at a hotel. This is not just for the purpose of avoiding being towed. There are public restrooms by the parking lot, as well as a picnic table. It isn’t in the most scenic spot, but it’s good if you’re passing through town and just want to drop in and out. Come into Neskowin, have a look at the ghost forest, come back, have a picnic, and then proceed with driving out of town. Thankfully there are also signs to lead you to the ocean. All you have to do is follow the sandy trail they point to and you’ll be at the beach in no time. Along the way, you’ll pass by Hawk Creek Café and Proposal Rock Inn, two places you might want to consider stopping by. From there, just head to Proposal Rock and you’re at the ghost forest. Restaurants Neskowin is a very small community, so they only have a few businesses. However, if you’re looking for a bite to eat, you can still find a couple places. Hawk Creek Café offers sit-down dining and has options such as burgers, pasta, and even wood-fired pizza. Just across from Hawk Creek Café is Neskowin Trading Post. It’s great for takeaway food and drink options, and holds both a deli and a bakery. It’s perfect for a picnic, as it’s right by the beach. The other dining options are a bit further away in Pacific City, unfortunately. However, if you still want that ocean view, as well as some food from a nice brewpub, Pelican Brewing Co. can help you out. Inns Because Neskowin is such a small community, you really only have two options: Proposal Rock Inn and Neskowin Resort. They are both right next to each other and are fairly close to the ocean. There are options for dog-friendly lodging, and amenities differ depending on which rooms you get. So, take your pick, because both are favored by visitors to the small community. Neskowin Ghost Forest FAQ How old is the Neskowin Ghost Forest? Scientists and geologists have come to the agreement that the forest is likely just around 2,000 years old when they fell. This find was calculated through carbon dating, a geologist’s best friend. After the trees fell, the ocean water made quick work with burying the remains in the soil, preserving them even to this day. What is a ghost forest? A ghost forest consists of the watery remains of what once was a forest. This is usually because the sea levels rise and overtake the deciduous trees, which rely on fresh water to survive. The salt water slowly poisons the trees, leaving only dead and dying trees behind in the process. This is likely how the Neskowin Ghost Forest was formed; it was poisoned over the years, they died, and the stumps were buried deep enough that they were preserved for the next 2000 years. What does the name “Neskowin” mean? The Neskowin Ghost Forest was named after the coastal town in which it resides: Neskowin, Oregon. The name is of Native American origin and apparently means “plenty of fish”. When can you see the forest in Neskowin? While you can usually catch a peek of the forest all year round, the best time to see them is during the winter. This is due to January, February, and March bringing in the lowest tides of the entire year. What happened to the ghost forest in Neskowin? It’s believed that, around 2000 years ago, the Neskowin Ghost Forest was once just a forest of sitka spruce trees, before they were poisoned and slowly began to fade away. After the trees fell, the waters rushed in and quickly buried the remains of the trees, burying them until they were eventually uncovered many, many years later. Tillamook County 3 Share Facebook Twitter ReddIt WhatsApp Pinterest Email