Cape Meares, Cape Lookout, and Cape Kiwanda are the "three capes" for which the loop is named. The north end of the loop begins in
Tillamook and skirts the southern edge of
Tillamook Bay to reach Cape Meares. Farther south, the highway passes
Oceanside and
Netarts before reaching Cape Lookout. Near the south end of the loop, the highway passes Cape Kiwanda before going through
Pacific City to rejoin Highway 101. The three capes are each contained in a state park:
Cape Meares State Park,
Cape Lookout State Park, and
Cape Kiwanda State Park. Campgrounds are located at Cape Lookout and numerous private facilities.