The child was dehydrated and hypothermic but in stable condition after becoming separated from her family at Cape Lookout State Park.
TILLAMOOK, Ore. — A 4-year-old girl who disappeared during a family outing at an Oregon state park was found alive about five miles away on a beach after a large Fourth of July search, authorities said.
The girl became separated from her family July 4 at Cape Lookout State Park in Tillamook County. Search crews located her on the Netarts Bay Spit, a rugged stretch of the Oregon coast north of the park. Authorities described the rescue as a Fourth of July miracle.
The child was dehydrated and hypothermic when rescuers reached her, according to the Netarts-Oceanside Fire District. She was otherwise reported to be in stable condition and was taken to Adventist Health Tillamook for medical evaluation.
Officials did not publicly identify the child or her family. They also did not release the exact time she disappeared or say how long she was missing before searchers found her.
Authorities believe the girl had been with a small group of children who were told to remain near the campground. The children wandered toward the beach, and the 4-year-old later became separated from the group, according to reports based on information from the fire district.
The disappearance triggered a response involving the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office, county search-and-rescue personnel, Tillamook Ambulance and the Netarts-Oceanside Fire District. The Tillamook 911 Center helped coordinate the operation.
The U.S. Coast Guard also supplied a helicopter as crews searched by land, sea and air. Images released by responders showed difficult coastal conditions, including rough water and wind along the beach.
Temperatures in the area were in the mid-60s during the afternoon, while winds increased later in the day. Those conditions raised concerns because young children can lose body heat quickly when exposed to cold air, wind or wet clothing.
Cape Lookout State Park sits along the Three Capes Scenic Route on the northern Oregon coast. The area includes a campground, forested trails and miles of shoreline extending toward Netarts Bay, creating a wide and challenging search area.
Officials credited the coordinated work of emergency agencies with bringing the search to a safe conclusion. No further information about the girl’s medical condition or release from the hospital had been announced as of Sunday.
Author note: Last updated July 12, 2026.