Hiking God’s Thumb via The Knoll in Siuslaw National Forest, Oregon (Complete Guide + Review)

Note to my fellow wanderers: This guide was written from my first-hand experiences. I try my best not to over-glamorize any location I travel to because I want HappyWander’s content to be as authentic as possible. My goal is to provide you real information so that you can have the best possible adventures wandering the world. Enjoy!

God’s Thumb via the Knoll is one of the most iconic hikes on the Oregon Coast, combining lush forest trails, open meadows, dramatic cliffs, and some of the best ocean views you’ll find anywhere in the state. Located just outside of Lincoln City within the Siuslaw National Forest, this hike has become increasingly popular with locals and visitors looking for a memorable coastal adventure. Despite its relatively short distance, the scenery feels larger than life and delivers the kind of views that make Oregon’s coastline so special. In this guide, I walk through everything you need to know about hiking God’s Thumb Via the Knoll, as well as my overall review for this beautiful Oregon hike.

Want to see how God’s Thumb and the Knoll hike really is? Watch my full 4k video here:

God’s Thumb via The Knoll Overview

One of the things that makes this hike unique is that it feels like several different hikes rolled into one. You’ll start in a forested area before climbing to The Knoll, an incredible viewpoint overlooking the Pacific Ocean. From there, the trail continues through grassy coastal meadows before eventually reaching the dramatic cliffs surrounding God’s Thumb itself. The variety of landscapes keeps the hike interesting from start to finish.

The Knoll alone would be worth the effort, especially if you’re visiting around sunset. The panoramic views of the coastline, rolling hills, and ocean are absolutely stunning. However, hikers who continue toward God’s Thumb are rewarded with an even more spectacular perspective, including steep sea cliffs and sweeping views stretching in multiple directions along the coast.

During my visit in early June, I was surprised by just how beautiful the entire experience was. Between the viewpoints, wildlife sightings, forest sections, and sunset opportunities, this hike quickly became one of my favorite experiences on the Oregon Coast. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about hiking God’s Thumb via The Knoll, including trail details, parking information, and tips to help you have the best possible experience.

This is a map (via alltrails.com) of the route I did. I recommend parking at Knoll Trailhead No.2, indicated by the “P” on the above image.

Where to Park

You have a few options to park:

1. The Knoll Trailhead No.2: I chose this option because it cuts 1 mile off the hike. There aren’t many parking spots available here, but to my surprise, there were several free spots on a Saturday evening. Here’s the location.
2. The Knoll Open Space Trailhead: This is the main parking area most people go to. Here’s the location.

Is Parking Difficult?

Parking can be one of the trickiest parts of the hike, especially on weekends. Arriving early is recommended, and many hikers choose the designated parking areas near The Knoll to avoid issues with residential parking restrictions. I had 0 issues parking on a Saturday evening in early June.

Distance Traveled

According to my Alltrails.com GPS tracker, I traveled just over 4 miles.

How Long Does it Take to Hike?

If you simply hike and don’t stop, you can hike God’s Thumb via The Knoll in around 1.5 hours at a quicker pace. I ended up being on the trail for about 3 hours as I spent time on top of both God’s thumb and the knoll areas.

Elevation Change

If you start where I did, you’ll cut off some elevation and some time. I ended this hike with approximately 945 feet of elevation. By far, the most difficult, steepest part of this hike is the very first hill. It’s a beast that takes you eye level with the knoll. Sure there’s some additional ups and downs to get to God’s Thumb, but that first hill is the one you will suffer on.

Difficulty

I made it sound like this hike is difficult based on that hill above. However, it’s not that bad. It’s relatively short (around 4 miles) and has under 1000 feet of elevation. If you choose to go all the way out to God’s Thumb, you’ll need some balance on a windy day. I wouldn’t recommend that for younger/older hikers, nor hikers with balance issues.

Overall, I’d give this hike an 6 / 10 in difficulty.

Permits

There are no permits required for this hike.

Cost

There is no cost associated with this hike, yay!

The Best Time of Day to Go

Personally, I think starting 1.5 hours before sunset is a great way to catch a beautiful sunset over God’s Thumb. I kind of timed my hike poorly and arrived too early, so I decided to take in a sunset over The Knoll area, which was beautiful too.

What’s the Best Time of Year to Hike God’s Thumb?

Late spring through early fall generally offers the best conditions. Clear days provide spectacular coastal views, while winter and spring can bring mud, fog, and slippery trail conditions.

What Makes God’s Thumb So Popular?

The combination of coastal forests, open meadows, dramatic cliffs, and one of the most iconic viewpoints on the Oregon Coast makes it a standout hike. There really aren’t many places where you can get this type of scenery on a relatively short trail.

Best Sunset Spots?

There are two main sunset spots: The Knoll and God’s Thumb.

1. The Knoll: Much easier to access and closer to the starting point. I personally chose this one because I didn’t want to hike the 2 miles back to the car in the dark from God’s Thum.
2. God’s Thumb: This is probably the better spot to watch the sunset, and you’ll probably see people posting up along the hillside before God’s Thumb for a sunset. I wanted to do this one, but I’m still happy with a sunset on the Knoll with almost no people.

Can you bring dogs?

Yes, dogs are allowed on the trail. However, many hikers recommend extra caution near the exposed cliff sections and steep final approach to God’s Thumb.

Are There Elk and Deer on the Trail?

Sometimes. Elk and deer are known to frequent the meadows along the route, and spotting wildlife is not uncommon, particularly during quieter times of day. I did not see any elk but I did run into a mama deer and her baby deer twice!

Is God’s Thumb Dangerous?

The hike is generally straightforward until the final section. The last climb to God’s Thumb is steep, exposed, and can be slippery, especially after rain, so caution is essential. Several rescues have occurred on this portion of the trail (apparently?).

Can Beginners Hike God’s Thumb?

Many beginners successfully complete the hike, but it shouldn’t be underestimated. The trail includes steep sections, muddy terrain, and a challenging final scramble that some hikers choose to skip.

Is the View from The Knoll Good Enough?

I think views from the Knoll are cool, but you should definitely go to God’s Thumb, or at least the hill before God’s Thumb. Two totally different views on the same hike.

Is God’s Thumb Worth the Hike?

Absolutely. The views from God’s Thumb are some of the best on the Oregon Coast, with dramatic cliffs, endless ocean views, and a unique perspective of Lincoln City. Most hikers agree the scenery more than justifies the effort.

Should You Go All the Way Onto God’s Thumb?

That depends on your comfort level. I would say 80-90% of the hikers, after seeing the path to God’s Thumb, chose not to go all the way up it. Many hikers are perfectly happy enjoying the view from nearby viewpoints, while others make the final climb. If the trail is wet, muddy, or crowded, I would personally pass on going up God’s Thumb.

Recommended Gear

Having the right gear can make or break your hiking experience. In Siuslaw National Forest, preparing accordingly will help you maximize your adventure. I’ll highlight the gear that I brought hiking God’s Thumb via The Knoll in early June, as well as additional gear that might benefit you:

• The Proper Clothing: In late May and June, the weather was pleasant during most days (50s to low 70s). I wore long exercise pants, exercise shorts underneath and a short sleeve exercise shirt. Towards sunset it started getting chilly, so I also brought a waterproof/windproof jacket. I also recommend wearing some thick socks so you don’t get blisters. (If it’s cold, wool are great. if it’s not cold, get something breathable)
• Hiking backpack with straps: If you don’t have a backpack with straps, I recommend you get one. They aren’t too expensive on Amazon. Your shoulders and back will thank you later.
• Portable charger: If you take a lot of photos / videos like me, you’ll want to bring a portable charger for your phone. I also use the alltrails.com app to navigate so having enough battery is important.
• Water bladder: If you want to save on weight and also help your backpack be more balanced than carrying a big bottle of water in your bag, a water bladder is important. I personally use a 3L water bladder. I drank maybe 1 liter on this hike.
• Hiking Shoes: You can do this hike in good tennis shoes, but I’d recommend waterproof hiking shoes. The terrain is not super tennis shoe friendly, and if it’s wet or muddy, which it was in parts, hiking shoes are beneficial.
• Snacks: Who doesn’t like snacks? While hiking, even on a short hike like this, some organic gummy bears did the trick for me.
• Bug spray: While I didn’t encounter mosquitos on this hike, it’s never a bad idea to be prepared. I can imagine in the summer you’d find some bugs out on the trail.
• First aid kit: It’s a good idea to bring Band-Aids, a bandage, and some cut cleaning items. I have needed band-aids in the past from slipping on rocks, but I did not on this hike.
• Sunscreen: I did not use sunscreen on this hike as a lot of it is in the shade and I went in the evening. However, if you spend a decent amount of time on the Knoll or God’s Thumb, it’s pretty exposed.
• Flashlight: If you go anytime near sunrise or sunset, I’d recommend having a flashlight.

Nice to Have Gear:

Here are a few items that would make your hiking experience even better:

• Shoe impact insoles: These can help as you traverse hard rocks along the way.
• Phone tripod: If you go alone or with a group and want great pictures, a phone tripod is key. I use one on every hike I go on.
• DJI Osmo Action Camera: This is my go-to recording device for every hike I go on. I recorded the entire hike

The Play By Play: My Route Hiking God’s Thumb via The Knoll

So what’s it like hiking God’s Thumb via The Knoll? Read my hiking guide play by play below:

Choosing Where to Park

As mentioned above, you have a few different options to park. I chose the The Knoll Trailhead No.2 because it cuts about a mile off the total hike and I’d imagine some elevation too. If you have limited time, I’d recommend doing the same if there are available spots. Here’s what this parking area looks like, it’s not large but it’s lesser known from the advertising parking area on alltrails.com:

I recommend not driving past the “Dead End” sign as it’s peoples’ homes and they get highly annoyed (so I read before doing this hike). I think there might be enough space for ~10 cars in this area. Here’s another view of the parking area:

The Giant Hill

After passing the parking area and a couple houses, you’ll enter a very green hiking trail, which I found to be common trait in Oregon:

After a short path, it’s time to climb the beast hill. The good news is, you get a lot of the elevation out of the way right way. The bad news is, this one will test your fortitude right away. Take your time and you’ll make it up this big hill:

The Knoll

After slaying the giant hill, you’ll be very near the famous “Knoll”. After taking a sharp left, the Knoll is right there. I was lucky enough to spot a momma deer and her fawn on top of the knoll, which I’ll show in the next section. Here’s the lovely view of the city and beach down below from the top of The Knoll:

Here’s another view of Lincoln City from on top of the knoll:

Momma Deer and Her Fawn Encounter #1

As mentioned above, I ran into a lovely momma deer and her fawn eating something at the beginning of the knoll.

When I returned back from the end of the knoll, I got another great shot of the mom and fawn:

Hiking to God’s Thumb

The rest of the hike, at least another mile, is towards God’s Thumb. You’ll find quite a few different looking areas on your way to God’s Thumb, such as this part of the path walking through a tunnel of deep green plants:

Here’s another section of the trail that showcases a lot of interesting pine trees on the trail:

As you continue along the trail, it will open up to a pretty large open area:

The final area, and when you know you’re close to God’s Thumb is when you pass wildflowers like this and it really opens up at the top of the hill:

Hill Before God’s Thumb

I would say a good 80% of people stopped at the hill before God’s Thumb. The view up here is great, and the remaining trail to God’s Thumb looks intimidating. Here’s my first view of God’s Thumb:

From the hill before God’s Thumb, you can also see some beautiful views to your left of Lincoln City and the beach:

There is no shame stopping at this point, but that’s not what I did. On to God’s Thumb we go!

God’s Thumb

There’s a decently steep hill down to get to the starting point of God’s Thumb, so be careful if you decide to do this one.

Here’s how it will look once you descend down the hill as you face God’s Thumb:

Both sides of the path are steep, with the right side being much steeper:

The dirt leading up to God’s Thumb is pretty steep and loose, so I recommend stepping to the left of that area and going up, it’s much easier. Finally, I made it to the top of God’s Thumb:

If you choose to go out to God’s Thumb, you still have to come back. If it’s busy or very windy, I recommend not going out to God’s Thumb. If you do choose to venture out, you’ll be rooting for your fellow hikers as they traverse the narrow and windy path:

I was going to stay for the sunset here but I thought twice and considered the long 1.5-2 mile hike back in the dark and decided against it.

Momma Deer and Her Fawn Encounter #2

On the way back to the Knoll, I ran into the same mamma deer and her fawn, but this time, about a mile closer to God’s Thumb! It’s almost as if they were following me. Oh that’s a pretty flower:

The mamma deer and I had a staring contest for more than 20 seconds and she did not blink:

Sunset Spots

There are two great sunset options on this hike. God’s Thumb is probably the fan favorite with most people choosing this one. I chose The Knoll, which was almost entirely empty and also much closer to my parked car. Here’s a magical field on top of the Knoll at sunset:

There are some really beautiful flowers on top of the knoll too, perfect for a sunset foreground:

If you’re having doubts about a sunset on top of the knoll, don’t, it’s stunning up here:

Here’s one final image to leave you with:

About My Experience Hiking God’s Thumb via The Knoll

Overall, the God’s Thumb via The Knoll hike was a great experience. Here are a few of my favorite parts, as well as parts I didn’t like:

Favorite Parts

Here are a few of my favorite parts of doing the God’s Thumb via The Knoll hike:

The Knoll

The Knoll is underrated, especially at sunset. I think most people naturally gravitate towards towards God’s Thumb (and for good reason), but the Knoll was peaceful and offered a more zen vibe.

God’s Thumb

God’s Thumb is pretty awesome, it kind of reminded me from a portion of a hike I did in the Dolomites with another thumb-like projection up. It’s a beautiful finale to a lovely hike.

Sunset Views

No matter which sunset spot you choose between the Knoll or God’s Thumb, you’re bound to get a beautiful sunset on a clear or mildly cloudy evening.

The Deer

I love nature, including the animals that don’t attack or eat me. I encountered the same momma deer and her fawn twice on this hike about a mile apart.

Least Favorite Parts

Here is my least favorite part of this hike:

A Tad Busy

This wasn’t a huge issue, but there were quite a few people on the trail. I think it’s a local favorite, and combine that with the beauty of the viewpoints, I can understand why it was busy.

Overall Score

God’s Thumb via The Knoll is a really great trail that let’s you experience the magic of the Oregon Coastline. Overall, I give this hike a 9.4/10.

Hiking Tips for God’s Thumb via The Knoll After the Fact

Here are some hiking tips for doing a God’s Thumb via The Knoll hike that I learned after the fact that can help you have the very best adventure:

• If possible, park at The Knoll Trailhead #2. It cut a mile off the entire hike as it starts you right next to the big hill on the side of the Knoll.
• Arrive 1-1.5 hours before sunset if you plan on seeing the sunset from God’s Thumb. You could arrive 30-45 minutes before sunset if you only plan on watching the sunset at The Knoll area.
• If it’s windy, wet, or very busy, avoid going all the way to God’s Thumb. This would make it more dangerous in my opinion.

Final Thoughts on Hiking God’s Thumb via The Knoll

Thanks for making it through my complete guide to hiking God’s Thumb via The Knoll. This was one of my very first hikes in Oregon, and I was thrilled to be introduced to what makes the Oregon coastline so beautiful. If you have a couple hours and are looking for a great sunset spot, I highly recommended adding God’s Thumb via The Knoll hike to your itinerary.

Happy wandering to you!