Trail Overview
The Peter Iredale Coast trail offers an iconic beach-driving adventure stretching over ten miles along the scenic Oregon shoreline, making it an excellent cruise for street-legal four-wheel-drive vehicles of almost any experience level. Beginning at the Gearhart beach approach and running north toward the historic Peter Iredale shipwreck and the South Jetty, this route features flat, hard-packed sand that makes for a smooth, low-stress drive. However, driver discretion is necessary at the beach entry and exit points, where deep, dry sand frequently traps vehicles that lack sufficient ground clearance or appropriate tire pressure. Airing down tires is highly recommended before driving onto the beach to ensure traction through these soft transitions. Along the way, travelers will experience stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, rolling dunes, and coastal wildlife, with the wreckage of the Peter Iredale serving as a dramatic, historic waypoint.
Navigating this flat shoreline requires awareness of local regulations and changing coastal conditions, particularly tides and seasonal closures. The speed limit on the beach is 25 miles per hour, and pedestrians always have the right of way, requiring drivers to stay alert for beachgoers, dogs, and horses. While the southern portion of the beach remains open to driving year-round, the northern section from the Peter Iredale beach access to the South Jetty is closed to motor vehicles from May 1 to September 15 to protect nesting wildlife and accommodate summer crowds. Only street-legal, registered vehicles are permitted on this route, meaning non-street-legal vehicles, dirt bikes, and SxSs cannot be operated on the sand here. Drivers should always consult tide tables before heading out, planning their trip around low tide to maximize the available driving surface and avoid getting pinned against the dunes by incoming water.
History
The beach is named after the Peter Iredale, a four-masted steel barque sailing vessel that ran aground on Clatsop Spit on October 25, 1906, during a voyage from Salina Cruz, Mexico, to Portland, Oregon. No lives were lost during the grounding. The skeletal iron remains of the shipwreck are still visible on the beach today and serve as one of the most accessible and photographed shipwrecks on the Pacific Coast.
Access Description
Driving on the beach is permitted only for street-legal, licensed, and registered vehicles. Non-street-legal OHVs, ATVs, and SxSs are prohibited. The beach speed limit is 25 mph, and pedestrians, horses, and wildlife always have the right of way. The northern section of the beach from the Peter Iredale access point to the South Jetty is closed to all motor vehicles from May 1 to September 15 for wildlife conservation and visitor safety, while the section south of the Peter Iredale access to the Gearhart approach (10th Street) remains open to vehicles year-round. drivers must be mindful of incoming tides to avoid getting stranded.
