Between beaches, estuaries and forest lands, Seaside's natural areas provide abundant opportunities to enjoy the area's ecological wonders from a variety of perspectives. Trails and waterways in and around Seaside provide an assortment of opportunities to view wildlife, native plants and a variety of birds in their natural habitats, all against the diverse backdrop of coastal scenery.

While paddling a kayak, canoe or paddleboat along the estuaries, rivers and ponds in Seaside, don't be surprised to spot a Bald Eagle or a Great Blue Heron fishing nearby. You may even end up traveling alongside a line of ducks. Rent a boat or launch your own at the Necanicum River dock. According to SeasideNaturally.com, a website developed as a guide to Seaside's ecotourism opportunities, there are several avenues of varying difficulty through which you can paddle for pleasure. For the beginner, they suggest Broadway or Quatat Park through town to the bridge at Avenue U. Experienced kayakers may not be able to resist the thrill of taking on one of the area rivers
as it transitions into the breaking surf of the Pacific Ocean.

For those who prefer terra firma for their treks, there are plenty of options to enjoy nature on two wheels. There are several bike routes in and around Seaside, including both the short, sightseeing sort, and the longer, more challenging distance treks. SeasideNaturally.com offers downloadable maps for several bike trails with info about length, elevations, levels of difficulty and even GPS guidance on several trails through area forests and flatlands. Bikes and equipment rentals are offered at various locations around town.

If all the equipment you need is a pair of walking shoes or hiking boots, you'll find a dozen or more walking and hiking trails in the area. Trails around Seaside offer all difficulty levels, from easy paths like Seaside's famous 1.5-mile oceanfront promenade, to moderate level paths like Tillamook Head and the nearby Fort to Sea trail. The 2.5-mile Saddle Mountain trail east of Seaside is deemed the most difficult. Area groups and organizations also offer special interest themed hikes throughout the year. Check with SeasideNaturally.com for a list of these events on their resources page.