CuteCamper
Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
A bird flies in front of a lighthouse during a storm.
Stormy days at Yaquina Head.
Overview:
Yaquina Head is a narrow, coastal headland extending one mile into the Pacific Ocean. Formed by ancient lava flows, Yaquina Head’s hard basalt cliffs and coves have been shaped by pounding ocean surf for 14 million years. Abundant wildlife such as whales, harbor seals and seabirds can be viewed from the many breath taking vantage points around the 100-acre site. Explore tidepools, listen to nature's music and see Oregon's tallest lighthouse - all at Yaquina Head.Know Before You Go:
- Open Hours: Yaquina Head is open year round with times varying based on the season.
- Fees are $7 for cars, $25 for buses (20 or less passengers), and $50 for buses (21+ passengers). "National Park and Federal Recreation Lands" and "Oregon Pacific Coast" passes are accepted and available.
- The Interpretive Center is open from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
- Whale watching: Resident Gray whales can be seen year round, and main migrations are during the months of December, January, March and April.
Lighthouse Tours:
The lighthouse is open for limited (16 visitors per tour) ranger-led tours. Day of tour passes are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and must be reserved in person at the interpretive center no earlier than 10 a.m. on the day of the tour.- July through September 14: Tours take place every day. Reservations can be made up to 90 days in advance – for a limited number of tours. To make an advance reservation phone 1-877-444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov. Please be aware that a small administrative fee will be required to hold each ticket reservation.
- Mid-September – June: When weather conditions and staffing levels permit, tours will be offered. Please phone 541-574-3100 for the current schedule.
Point of Interest:
Peregrine falcons and thousands of seabirds raise young at Yaquina Head. Chicks are often visible from late spring through mid-summer. Whales may be seen year-round. Bring binoculars for best viewing.Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area brochure
For More Information Click Here
H214 long, level pull through with room for slideouts
H214; long level site with room for slideouts
Reserve-able pull through campsite H214
Pull through campsite H214
Two sea stars, one red and one orange, with two green anemones.
Sea stars and anemones in the Cobble Beach tidepools.
Site marker for campsite H214; If you reserve this site, your camping pass will be attached to this maker. When you check out drop your camping pass at the registration office.
If you reserve this site, your camping pass will be attached to this maker. When you check out drop your camping pass at the registration office.
H214; Image taken on 12/21/20; vegetation is dormant but there is plenty of shade during camping season
Image taken on 12/21/20 so vegetation is dormant but there is plenty of shade during camping season
A pool of water and gray rocks against a sunny cliff.
Cobble Beach tidepools.
RecAreaDirections
Newport is located 55 miles west of Corvallis on the central Oregon coast. Take Hwy. 20 to U.S. Hwy. 101 to Newport. Turn right onto Hwy. 101 and proceed north 4.5 miles to Lighthouse Drive and turn left to enter Yaquina Head.
Open with Google MapMisc
| Stay Limit | |
| Reservable | false |
| Keywords | |
| Map Link | |
| Contact Phone | |
| Contact Email |
Permits info
Facilities
Yaquina Head Lighthouse Tours Ticket Facility
Overview:
There's something for everyone at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area. Extending one mile out into the Pacific Ocean from the Oregon coast, Yaquina Head is a great place to spot wildlife such as gray whales, harbor seals, and nesting seabirds. At low tide the sea floor is exposed and colorful animals such as orange sea stars, purple sea urchins, and giant green anemones are visible. At high tide a visit to Cobble Beach is an auditory treat as the rounded basalt rocks create an applause-like sound as the waves roll in. If the winter storms or summer winds are raging, take refuge in the Interpretive Center and discover thousands of years of natural history and more than 140 years of lighthouse history.Standing 93 feet tall on the west westernmost point of the basalt headland, Oregon's tallest lighthouse has been a bright beacon of the night, guiding ships and their supplies along the west coast since the light first lit in 1873. Still an 'active aid to navigation' today, a limited number of visitors can tour the lighthouse with an interpretive guide. Pre-arrival reservations are strongly recommended, book your tour below.
