Outdoor Adventure
Accessible Access Points – Cape Perpetua, Siuslaw National Forest, and the 804 Trail in Yachats
The link below provides video and lists some of the premier accessible access points in the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area just south of Yachats and in the greater Siuslaw National Forest.
Most of the oceanfront 804 Trail in Yachats is also accessible. The northern end of the 804 Trail that begins at the Smelt Sands State Wayside and continues north for three quarters of a mile is designed for wheelchair use. The Yachats 804 Trail … Read more
Beachcombing for Agates
Would you like some great tips from our local Agate Club? Stop by the Yachats Visitors Center and pick up the club’s Beachcombing in Lincoln County brochure (also linked below).
Note: Low tide after a big storm in winter is the best time to search for agates. Be prepared for changeable weather (bring rain gear!) and know beach safety.
Biking – Fat Biking between Yachats and Newport
Bring your own fat bikes or rent. Limited rentals may be found at Bike Newport, Newport, OR | 541.265.9917.
Biking – Fat Biking Florence Dunes Ride Exploration
Bring your own fat bikes or rent. Limited rentals may be found at Bike Newport, Newport, OR | 541.265.9917.
Biking – Lincoln County Bike Routes & Scenic Bikeways
For routes in the Yachats area, select “South County” in the Lincoln County maps linked below.
Bring your own bikes or rent. Limited rentals may be found at the following businesses:
- Green Bike Co-op, Waldport, OR | 541.563.7328
- Bike Newport, Newport, OR | 541.265.9917
- Bicycles 101 (A.K.A. Bikes 101), Florence, OR | 541.997.5717
Biking – Mountain Biking : Cummins Creek and Cummins Vista Mountain Bike Loops
The 6.25 miles Cummins Creek Loop Trail is shared by hikers and mountain bikers.
You can park at the Cummins Creek Trailhead across from Neptune State Park on Forest Service Road 1050, which is 1.5 miles south of Cape Perpetua Visitors Center on Hwy 101. Ride up the trail 3.75 miles, then turn and come back down a very challenging section of trail that links back to the original trail.
For a longer route, the … Read more
Birding – Central Oregon Coast
The prime birding sites within Yachats include Smelt Sands State Recreation Site at the north end of town; Yachats State Recreation Area at the west end of 2nd St downtown; and Yachats Ocean Road State Natural Site at the south side of the Yachats River.
Within a 20-minute drive, there are several sites to the north between Yachats and Brian Booth State Park / Ona Beach / Beaver Creek, and to the south between Yachats … Read more
Birding – Coastal Community Science Projects
All invited! No experience necessary. Training is provided, as needed, for some projects.
Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve & Marine Protected Areas
The Yachats shoreline is part of the North Marine Protected Area (MPA). The Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve with MPAs is the largest marine reserve network in Oregon.
Visitors here have opportunities for scenic and wildlife viewing, hiking, and guided outdoor, stewardship, and citizen science activities. A speakers series is offered in winter.
The region includes 18.8 square miles along the shore, 14.1 square miles of ocean habitat, and a reef complex that hosts diverse species of rockfish, … Read more
Cape Perpetua Visitor Center, Exhibits, Programs, Guided Walks
The Cape Perpetua Visitor Center includes a panoramic ocean view, a deck with viewing scopes, natural and cultural history exhibits, a theater with nature films, and a gift shop. Summer Ranger Forest to Sea Programs, Marine Reserve Education and Activities, and Guided Walks are scheduled here, as is a Saturday Speakers Series in winter and other seasonal programs, such as Spring and Winter Whale Watch.
The U.S. Forest Service maintains the Cape’s 26 miles of … Read more
Darlingtonia State Natural Site
Located about 20 miles south of Yachats just east of Hwy 101 at milepost 185.2 (on Mercer Lake Rd).
Darlingtonia State Natural Site is an 18-acre botanical park with a picnic area and a boardwalk trail. From the parking lot, the boardwalk trail leads into a fen that is home to Darlingtonia californica (also known as the cobra lily). This is a rare strangely-shaped plant, the only member of the pitcher plant family (Sarraceniaceae) … Read more
Day Use State Parks in Town
There are three (yes 3!) oceanfront day use state parks in Yachats, and no day use fees.
(Beach) ♦ YACHATS OCEAN ROAD STATE NATURAL SITE is located just south of downtown at the mouth of the Yachats River. Turn west off Hwy. 101 onto Yachats Ocean Road at the south end of the Yachats River Bridge. There are parking spaces and picnic tables along this rim road, and a wooden staircase down to the beach. … Read more
Disc Golfing – Waldport
New! (Opened January 2019)
Golfing on the Central Coast
Heceta Head Lightstation
Heceta Head Lighthouse signals to seafarers from atop a magnificent forested promontory just 14 miles south of Yachats. This working lighthouse, circa 1894, sits 205 ft above the ocean, and its beacon shines 21 miles out to sea, the strongest light on the coast. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world. The historic assistant light keeper’s house is a bed and … Read more
Hiking – Beaver Creek | Brian Booth State Park
There are 5-plus miles of trails in the Natural Area, including three main trails. The Overlook Trail loops from the Welcome Center and back through mixed conifer forests, and offers a bird’s eye view of the confluence of South Beaver Creek and North Beaver Creek and nearby hillsides. The Beaver Creek Loop Trail skirts the fringes of the upland forests and meadows. Snaggy Point Trail takes you to the highest point in the park, and … Read more
Hiking – Cape Perpetua Scenic Area
Located just three miles south of downtown Yachats, the 2,600 acre Cape Perpetua Scenic Area includes 26 miles of interconnected trails that range in length from two-tenths of a mile to ten miles and rate from easy to difficult. The system’s twelve trails feature old growth forests, Indian shell middens, Devil’s Churn, Spouting Horn, Thor’s Well, tide pools and stunning views. Visitor Center staff and exhibits will guide you to the cultural and natural history … Read more
Hiking – Drift Creek Wilderness Area
Harris Ranch Trail to Drift Creek is a 5.5 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Waldport, Oregon that features a river and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Creek Trail is a 6.9 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Seal Rock, … Read more
Hiking – explore Yachats on six interconnected trails
The historic 804 Trail that follows the village coastline north to a 7-mile stretch of sandy beach connects two in-town day use state parks and is interconnected with five other Yachats trails:
The Ya’Xaik Trail
The Public Footpath in the Gerdemann Botanic Preserve – 1000 ft. of trail (No Dogs Allowed)
The Prospect Garden and Trail
The Yachats Community Park and Wetland Trail
The Amanda Trail
The 804 Trail and The Amanda Trail are both … Read more
Hiking – Heceta Head, Valley, and Hobbit Trails
Trails run both north and south of the lighthouse and range from gentle to challenging.
Hiking – Waldport Area
Explore five easy to moderate trails in Waldport, including woodland, riverfront/Lint Slough, and oceanfront options.
Kayaking & Other Paddling Near Yachats
Locations near Yachats for independent kayaking | paddling include the following:
Alsea River Water Trail – Waldport
Beaver Creek – Ona Beach, Seal Rock
Yaquina Bay – Newport | -and- | Yaquina River – Newport/Toledo
Siuslaw River and Siuslaw Estuary Water Trails – Florence
Watercraft rentals are available at paddle shops in Waldport, Newport, Florence, and at Honeyman State Park just south of Florence.
NORTH OF YACHATS:
PORT OF ALSEA / ALSEA RIVER WATER TRAIL … Read more
Kayaking Tours – Beaver Creek Natural Area | Brian Booth State Park
Rangers at Brian Booth State Park lead 4-hour guided kayak tours (kayaks and equipment provided) at Beaver Creek State Natural Area between July 1 and Labor Day, with sign-up beginning June 1. Tours are from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon. The hours listed include check-in, instruction, 2.5 hours of paddling, and check out. To make a reservation visit the Beaver Creek website, linked below, or call 541-563-6413.
The Beaver Creek Welcome Center is a 15-20 … Read more
Kayaking Tours – Newport
Oregon Boating Foundation offers 2-hour guided kayak tours (kayaks and equipment provided) on the Yaquina Bay in Newport from July 25 through September 15. Tours are provided 4 times daily, Tuesday through Sunday. To make a reservation visit PaddleNewport.com, or call. Yaquina Bay is a 30-40 minute drive north of Yachats.
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
Beginning just 26 miles south of Yachats, the Oregon Dunes, the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America, stretch out for 40 miles between Florence and Coos Bay. Check out the website for the recreation area, and “A Local’s Guide to the Oregon Dunes,” linked below, for more information.
Sea Lion Caves
Sea Lion Caves is proud to be part of the Oregon/Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve helping to protect the local marine animals and marine environment.
Sea Lion Caves (America’s largest sea cave) is a privately owned (since 1932) wildlife preserve and bird sanctuary, located just 15 miles south of Yachats and 11 miles north of Florence. It is the year-round home of the Steller sea lion, but sea lions are not always in the Cave. This is … Read more
Tidepooling
Plan ahead – check the local tide table and head out at least an hour before low tide.
Please see the tidepools guides linked below, which provide a map of locations for tidepools along the coast; information about tidepool zones and the creatures that live in them; and important tidepool etiquette guidelines.
Whale Watching
Gray whales (and occasionally others) are often viewed off the coast of Yachats from the three day-use state parks in town. Other favorite nearby spots to watch for whales include the following:
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- Cape Perpetua Visitors Center (about 3 miles south of downtown Yachats)
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- Cook’s Chasm Turnout (about 3.25 miles south of downtown Yachats)
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- Sea Lion Caves Turnout – large Highway 101 turnout south of tunnel (15 miles south of Yachats)
Gray whales … Read more
Wilderness Area: Cummins Creek
The Cummins Ridge Trail (approximately 5.8 miles) is the only trail in this wilderness area. It ascends more than 1,000 feet through towering stands of Sitka Spruce, Western Hemlock and Douglas-fir. The Cummins Creek Wilderness features the only old-growth Sitka Spruce forest in the Oregon Wilderness system.
Wilderness Area: Drift Creek
Wilderness Area: Rock Creek
Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area & Lighthouse
The 100-acre site includes Oregon’s tallest lighthouse, an accessible trail, an interpretive center, wildlife viewing – including whales, seals, tide pools, and seabirds, as well as short trails and incredible views. Tours of the lighthouse are given only as staffing allows and are announced on the morning of the day that the tour is available.
Yaquina Head Interpretive Center & Interpretive Store Hours: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area Park Hours:… Read more
