Explore
Ocean Tide Pools
The Pacific Ocean is full of all kinds of sea creatures, and a good way to see them is by exploring tide pools along the Oregon Coast.
Tide pools form when the tide goes out and leaves behind pools of water on rocks. These become small aquariums full of sea life, and offer up-close views of the kinds of animals that live in the ocean.
There are several popular locations to visit critters like sea anemones and starfish in their natural environment, including Sunset Bay State Park on the southern coast and Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area on the central Coast, which features tide pools teeming with life.
Learn more about the ocean and its residents by visiting the Oregon Coast Aquarium or the Mark Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport. Both have lots of exhibits, an underwater tunnel and hands-on tide pools to explore.
Sunset Bay State Park, south of Coos Bay, www.OregonStateParks.org/park_100.php
Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, www.blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/yaquina/index.php
Mark Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport, 541.867.0126, http://hmsc.OregonState.edu/visitor
Oregon Coast Aquarium, Newport, 541.867.3474, www.aquarium.org
Walks on the Wild Side
Did you know that much of the Oregon Coast is made up of rainforests and really big trees? Cape Perpetua Scenic Area is the perfect place to explore this ecosystem and see a 600-year-old giant Sitka spruce tree. Interpretive programs including guided hikes or ranger talks show how this climate grows huge trees.
The coastline is not all rainforest, however. If you want to see a rare silver-spot butterfly, which is only found in five other locations in the world, walk around Cascade Head Natural Area. It is covered in grass, and has amazing views of the ocean. If you are lucky, you can spot other animals living in this area!
Oregon’s coast also has giant sand dunes. You can hike to the Dunes Overlook and see hills of sand as high as 500 feet in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.
Cape Perpetua, Yachats, 541.547.3289
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, Florence to Reedsport, 541.563.8415
Cascade Head, north of Lincoln City, 503.802.8100
