There are many creek and river crossings along the beach, the most significant being Beaver Creek on Ona Beach. Initially the beach is bordered on the east side by steep, fragile cliffs topped with houses. From here, continue south on the beach for 6.5 miles toward Seal Rock. This is another well-developed park with a large campground, including a hiker/biker camping area. It's 1 mile down this paved path to South Beach State Park and the large beach access parking lot. Walk northwest toward Southwest Jetty Way and follow it as it traces the south jetty of Yaquina Bay inlet to a parking area trailhead that marks the South Beach State Park south jetty trail. At the south end of the bridge there is another pedestrian staircase that drops the hiker onto a large grassy area. Marvel at the gothic style architecture of this massive bridge that sits 133 feet above the water and spans 600 feet. There is a pedestrian staircase accessing the west sidewalk of the Yaquina Bay Bridge, making this short 1.75-mile roadway leg completely appropriate for hikers. Walk along the paved paths and roadways through this park toward the bay bridge. This lighthouse was built in 1871 and extinguished three short years later due to the completion of Yaquina Head Lighthouse, which made the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse obsolete. Continue on the sand toward the north jetty of Yaquina Bay inlet and exit the beach through some dunes covered with beach grass and up some stairs toward Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, which is viewable from the beach. Just past this point is access to the historic Nye Beach, where a variety of shops and restaurants can be found. Construction was abandoned, leaving these ruins. They were able to complete the foundation before erosion caused the foundation to sink significantly. This didn't stop a construction company from attempting to build condos here. This stack has since eroded away, and the area continues to be quite susceptible to erosion. At the south end of Agate Beach you may spot some modern ruins at Jumpoff Joe Point. This point earned its name when there was a large sea stack here one would have to jump off of its point to access the beach north of here. It's 3.7 miles to Yaquina Bay Lighthouse to the south. As you walk south, enjoy the view of Yaquina Head Lighthouse behind you as it becomes unobstructed by the head itself. There are some short sand dunes on the east end of the beach that are interesting to explore. In the shadow of Yaquina Head you might see surfers enjoying the ideal wave breaks here. It's a little over a mile of road travel as this road meets Highway 101 (where there is an adequate shoulder) and the route takes a right onto Northwest Agate Way with beach access to Agate Beach at its end. Immediately after this point you'll exit the beach via a rudimentary and rough gravel road onto Northwest 68th Street. Walk along Moolack Beach south of the state park for an additional 3.75 miles to find Schooner Point, which is only passable at low tide. Check here for specific clarifications on regulations, exemptions, and a detailed representation of the area's boundaries.Īt just 1.3 miles into this section, Beverly Beach State Park provides overnight accommodations one would expect to find in a well-developed coastal state park, and there are separate and cheaper campsites available for hikers and bikers. This means that there are specific prohibitions against fishing and the harvesting of fish, invertebrates, and seaweed. A significant amount of flat/sandy mileage can be covered in a much shorter time, and you might find it enjoyable! Note that Otter Rock is part of the Otter Rock Marine Reserve. If it is a possibility, one might consider taking a fat tire bike or beach cruiser bike to zip down these beaches. Otherwise, the vast majority of the terrain on this section consists of sandy beach. There are a few short legs through towns and on pavement as well as a choose-your-own-adventure route through or around Seal Rock State Wayside. It's also an ideal spot to watch the sunset.Īfter descending the steps to the beach at the west end of Otter Rock, it's beach walking that's the theme for basically the next 35 miles. It is an ideal vantage point to view the rugged coastline of Cape Foulweather to the north and the miles of beach with Yaquina Head to the south. Once two giant sea caves, this now collapsed sandstone structure resembles a giant punchbowl, bright orange and yellow in color, that's partially filled at high tide. At the end of 1st Street in the small community of Otter Rock and technically off of the OCT (by 0.1 miles) lies a small state park called Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area.
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