Known as Short Sands State Park until the early 1970s, this was one of the first parks developed in Oregon. The park was renamed after former governor Oswald West (1911 to 1915).
Oswald West State Park encompasses nearly 2500 acres. Mostly undeveloped, the recreational opportunities include surfing, kayaking, clamming, photography, bird watching, relaxing on Short Sand Beach, and especially hiking. There are also 30 walk-in tent sites. Wheelbarrows are provided for transporting camping equipment.
Two prominent coastal headlands, Cape Falcon and Neah-Kah-Nie Mountain, fall within the boundaries of Oswald West State Park. Cape Falcon is the home of a dense old-growth sitka spruce forest. Local Indians regularly burned Neah-Kah-Nie.
Known as Short Sands State Park until the early 1970s, this was one of the first parks developed in Oregon. The park was renamed after former governor Oswald West (1911 to 1915).