Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
Plan your stay
Posts
Tide pools are great fun for the family. #wandererlustwomen #strongwomancheck #oregoniansbelike #oregonvibes #exploreoregon #oregonlove #oregoncoastcheck #traveloregoncoast #traveloregon #oregoncheck #outdoorsygirl #oregoncoastvibes
onmywayanne
36313
It is a wonderful stopping place along our beautiful Oregon Coast. I like that they direct you to go to the Interpretive Center, rather than just bypass it. It passively forces you to consider going in. Which I have not done before, but I am glad I did. Thank you manipulative traffic control. I didn't stay long, as I just needed to use the restroom, but from what I saw, the displays and staff are nice and the museum's exhibits are of a quality that I will go back to when I have more time to spend there. The lighthouse is as one would expect...lighthousey and picturesque, same as the coastal magnificence. There is plenty of parking and an easy, short paved path to the lighthouse and lookouts. It seemed wheelchair accessible though I didn’t pay attention to the parking spaces or the path beyond what I could see from my position. I did not look at the entry cost because I have the National Parks Pass, and that gets me into places like this. Side note: I highly suggest buying the yearly Freedom Pass, especially for the moments when you wouldn't normally pull off the road to go exploring our country, but because you have the pass, you figure...what the heck...I need to use the restroom anyway, and I really don't want to use the one in Walmart. So you extemporaneously break from the norm and get pleasantly surprised while simultaneously moving your body, breathing fresh air, learning and seeing something new, and expanding your horizons, plus it helps keep our parks. I mean...win-win! But, I digress. So, if you are in the area, just go, and not just to the lighthouse. Go to the Interpretive Center and learn something new. Or, don't, I can't tell you what to do, but I do suggest it. 😊
Gabrielle ViSix
00
This might be my favourite place ever. The tide pools are amazing. The best I've ever seen. We saw seals sunning on the rocks, and playing in the water. Red and purple sea urchins (too many, actually), starfish of many colors and sizes, hermit crabs, little purple crabs, green anemones, pink colony anemones, a sea lemon, tons of gumboot chitons, mossy chitons, fish, snails, limpets, algae and seaweed in many colors and shapes. The guides/rangers are helpful and informative, and keep the tidal life safe from careless human visitors. We came back 3 times. Unfortunately the good tide pools are only accessible by a lot of stairs, but if you can do stairs and balance on some rocks, the tide pools are amazing. I recommend going for the hour before and the hour or two after a low tide in the -1 to 1 level range. 2 ish hours after a -1.3 was a good time to see more of the anemones opened up in the channels, which are exposed to air and all closed up at a low tide -1.3 until about 3 hours after the low tide.
Teagen Traver
00
Secluded, beautiful area along one of the most picturesque coastal stretches in the US. I'd never heard of an 'outstanding natural area' designated park unit but the description is apt. I arrived just after opening to a foggy daybreak. Sunrise through the clouds was magical as were the numerous masses of nesting seabirds, tide pools teeming with life and a handsome, stoic lighthouse. Very accessible and family friendly place. Lots of kids and older folks. Visitors center was well done and staffed by friendly folks. Not much to see there exhibit wise but the real exhibits are just out the door. At the tide pools you can see anemone, urchins, starfish, barnacles, mussels, clams, seals and countless seabirds. A park staff member is located at the bottom of the stairs to warm people not to step on mussels and will provide you with a laminated sheet to help you identify what you're looking at! First park I've been to where I've seen this. Well worth the trip and the small fee.
Andrew Elegante
00
We've been coming to the coast for decades and haven't visited this in a long time. The long line to get in usually dissuades us, but this time we waited (about 10 minutes, but peak days and times plan on waiting around longer). It's $7 for a 3 days pass, but you can use your State Parks Pass to get it, and of course discounts for Veterans if you pay at the gate. There's a cool visitors center with displays and artifacts, a nice hiking trail up the hill for amazing views, and the views from the bank is nice too. The steps down to the beach were closed for our visit due to maintenance, so we couldn't get down there (lots of stairs to ascend and descend though if you want to get down to the rocky beach). Lighthouse is closed (I think there's tours, but not sure when). Lots of history here. You can see the harbor seals and gulls, cormorants, and murres on the rocks too. Wish we had more time, but will probably be back to hike the trail up the mountain on our next visit.
Nick Bruns
00
Fantastic day spent here! Tide pools were great, there are a lot of spots and many different types of sea life to see. The staff is very friendly and seems genuinely interested in what they're doing. When we were there, there was a staff member wandering around the tide pools pointing out different things to guests to help them! They even gave you guides to help identify the sea life! Always check the tide levels before going so you can make the most out of your visit. There's a $7 charge (basically per vehicle, up to 10 people is just $7) but that wasn't even at all outrageous to me. There's quite a bit of parking and we had no issue finding space! We were here for a solid 2 hours just looking at the tide pools. The only downfall was they had to block off some of the tide pools because to the left was an elephant seals they didn't want people bugging. And to the right was a bunch of seals sleeping on the rocks. (Not the staffs fault though!)
Katlyn Harwood
00
Nearby Attractions Of Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
Yaquina Head Lighthouse
Yaquina Head Lighthouse
Cobble Beach
Quarry Cove
NW 55th Street Viewpoint
Fee Station
Salal Hill

Yaquina Head Lighthouse
4.8
(1.7K)
Click for details

Yaquina Head Lighthouse
4.8
(1.5K)
Click for details

Cobble Beach
4.7
(278)
Click for details

Quarry Cove
4.8
(34)
Click for details
Basic Info
Address
750 NW Lighthouse Dr, Newport, OR 97365
Map
Phone
(541) 574-3100
Call
Website
blm.gov
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.8
(2.5K reviews)
Ratings & Description
outdoor
scenic
adventure
family friendly
accessibility
attractions: Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Cobble Beach, Quarry Cove, NW 55th Street Viewpoint, Fee Station, Salal Hill, restaurants:

- Please manually select your location for better experience