Not all heroes travel by car. Some choose the trail in the literal sense. In Oregon, where nature speaks louder than words, hiking and biking trails are not just a means of transportation, but a way of life. It is for these travelers that “hiker-biker” shelters are created: small but very important points of support on a long route.
What Is a “Hiker-Biker” Shelter?
These are miniature infrastructure oases for those walking or riding along the Oregon Coast Trail. There is no glamour, only practicality: recharge your phone or bike, fill up with water, secure your belongings, repair a wheel, or take a breather under a roof. It all sounds like small stuff, but when you’ve walked dozens of miles with a backpack or spent a day pedaling along the Pacific Ocean, stops like these are a reward.
They are located in campgrounds along the coast, in places where hikers and cyclists most often pitch their tents. The idea is simple: keep the journey going without letting it become a challenge. Especially now, as the Oregon Coast Trail is becoming increasingly popular, people are rediscovering it after the pandemic, and the flow is only growing.
Where Are These Shelters Located?
There are currently six such spots in Oregon. All of them are located in iconic parks that tourists visit regularly, either on their way south or just for the weekend:
- Fort Stevens State Park is one of the largest and most popular parks in the far north of the coast. It has beaches, history, and even a ghost ship on the shore.
- Devil’s Lake is a small, cozy park near the town of Lincoln City. It’s a great place to stop if you’re driving along the central coast.
- Cape Blanco is one of the windiest places in Oregon. It also has a lighthouse and picturesque views from the cliffs, like something out of a movie.
- Harris Beach is almost on the California border. Here you will find giant boulders right in the ocean and black sand beaches.
- Cape Lookout is a great place to camp with a view of the endless ocean. The trail to the cape is a classic.
- Nehalem Bay is a quiet, family-friendly place near the fishing town of Manzanita.
All of these parks already have shelters that are actively used. Electricity, water, bike locks, even a pump—everything has been thought of.
New Shelters Are on the Way
After the pandemic, construction of new hiker-biker shelters was put on hold. But now there’s good news: by spring 2023, three new shelters will open in Oregon in Honeyman, South Beach, and Beverly Beach. And that’s not all: two more are planned for Beachside and Humbug Mountain.
Each of these places is an attraction in itself:
- Honeyman State Park is a huge park with dunes, lakes, and trails near the city of Florence. It is one of the busiest in the state and yet surprisingly diverse.
- South Beach State Park begins right off the bridge over Yakin Bay in Newport. Here you can watch whales or just relax in a quiet campground.
- Beverly Beach State Park is a shady forest that transitions into a soft sand beach, close to the popular Route 101. It’s perfect for stopping after a long day on the road.
- Beachside State Recreation Site is a small but cozy coastal area with direct access to the water.
- Humbug Mountain State Park is a picturesque spot at the foot of a mountain where dense forest meets the ocean. Here you can feel the true wild nature of Oregon.
The trail stretches for about 400 miles along the coast. It’s not just a route for walking, but a real artery for lovers of “slow” travel. With each new shelter, the journey becomes safer, more comfortable, and, most importantly, more accessible.
Why shelters are so important?
- They support sustainable tourism without dependence on cars and hotels.
- They reduce the impact on nature: less wild camping, less litter, less interference with the ecosystem.
- They help the local economy: tourists come, stay, shop, and support local businesses.
- They create a meeting point for communication, route sharing, and support among travelers.
In addition, such projects show that caring for nature is not only about protecting forests, but also about creating infrastructure that allows people to enjoy these forests without harming them.
Who is Behind This?
The program is coordinated by Oregon Parks Forever, a nonprofit partner that has been supporting the state’s natural areas for many years. Initiatives such as hiker-biker shelters are partly government-funded, but largely a community effort. Funding comes through donations, volunteer work, and the participation of ordinary citizens. That means you and me.
If you’ve ever wondered how you can support something you really care about, here’s one way. Donations, volunteer hours, and even just kind words all help keep parks alive and accessible.