Sea stacks at Indian Beach, with Submarine Rock visible on the right.

Dozens of sea stacks are visible from the popular surfing spot of Indian Beach at Ecola State Park, from arch formations at Ecola Point to the lighthouse on Tillamook Rock.

Closer to the shore is Submarine Rock, which is often submerged under high tides and churning surf to appear like a submarine emerging from underwater.

At low tide, the rock is accessible from a sandy beach. At its base are common tide pool creatures of the area, such as orange and purple ochre sea stars, blue mussels, gooseneck barnacles and sea urchins. On its jagged top are often a few resting gulls.

Another rock, farther from the shore, takes on a similar shape and has also been identified by some photographers with the same name.

For a bird’s eye view of these and other sea stacks, hike the out-and-back Indian Beach Trail, starting from either the Indian Beach parking area or the Ecola Point day-use area.

The trail, which is a section of the nearly 400-mile Oregon Coast Trail, reopened in recent years after being diverted inland due to a landslide. Sections of the older trail remain at the beginning and end of the hike, offering expansive coastal views before the newer route moves into an old-growth forest.

Note that a day-use permit or Oregon Pacific Coast Passport is required to park in Ecola State Park.