Cape Perpetua Scenic Area: Exploring Coastal Wonders at Yachats

Located in the Siuslaw National Forest, the most distinctive destination near Yachats, Cape Perpetua Scenic Area is 2,700 acres of old-growth forests that stretch along the Pacific Coast. The area provides excellent opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, fishing, picnicking, and outdoor photography.

The name Perpetua was given by Captain Cook, an English explorer, who sighted a high elevated promontory on St. Perpetua's Day, 7th March 1778.

Cape Perpetua Visitor Center

The visitor center provides the interpretation of the region, marine life, forestry, and historical features through exhibits and short movies.

Guided hikes are available in the summer. From inside of the building and from the deck you can enjoy a stunning vista of the ocean. The visitor center is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm.

Address: 2400 US-101, Yachats, OR 97498

Cape Perpetua West Shelter

A unique landmark, the west shelter was built by the Forest Service in the early 1930s. The shelter towers 800 feet (240 m) above sea level offering a picturesque view of the Pacific Ocean. This is the best spot to see 70 miles of coastline and 37 miles out to sea on a clear day.

The shelter is only a part of the attractions available in this area. Miles of rocky beaches, tide pools, spouting horns, churns, and mysterious Thor's Well.

Spouting Horn and Thor's Well at Cook's Chasm are seawater fountains, driven by the ocean power, and acting like geysers.

Devil's Churn is a narrow shoreline channel. Tides and powerful waves created a deep fissure in a basalt shoreline.

The best time to see these spectacular sites is a period of time between one hour before and an hour after high tide during winter storms.

Cape Perpetua Trails

There are 26 miles of hiking trails through the pristine coastal forest, Native American shell middens, tidepools, and breathtaking scenic views.

Saint Perpetua Trail
The 2.2-mile trail of moderate difficulty, gaining 700 feet in elevation, from the visitor center to the West Shelter, offers thrilling ocean views.

Whispering Spruce Trail
The 0.3-mile loop, from the summit point. On a clear day, you can see up to 70 miles of the Oregon Coast. The West Shelter is a great viewpoint to watch for whales.

Giant Spruce Trail
The 2.1-mile trail of easy difficulty, from the visitor center and back, leads to the Oregon second-largest Sitka spruce, known as the "Giant Spruce". The tree is nearly 600 years old and more than 185 feet tall, 40 feet in circumference.

Cook’s Chasm Trail
The 0.75-mile trail, easy hike to the Spouting Horn. While hiking, at low tide you can find fascinating sea creatures in tide pools, mountains of mussel shells left by generations of Alsea tribes who harvested them hundreds of years ago, remnants of a 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps camp, and the spectacular Spouting Horn.

Cape Cove Trail
The 0.3-mile easy walk to a quiet sandy beach.

Trail of the Restless Waters
The 0.5-mile loop of moderate difficulty to Devils Churn. The trail runs along the coastline, tide pools at low tide, and the spouting horns at high tide.

Oregon Coast Trail
The 2.5-mile round trip of moderate difficulty. There are volcanic fascinated natural wonders below Cape Perpetua along the coastline.

Open from March to September, Cape Perpetua Campground offers 37 tent sites along the banks of Cape Creek. Each site has a picnic table and campfire ring. There are flush toilets and drinking water. Reservation is available through recreation.gov or phone 877-444-6777.

The nearest lodging is available in Yachats or Florence.

Lodging in Yachats

Affordable vacation rentals for short and long term stay in Yachats

Lodging in Florence

Affordable vacation rentals for short and long term stay in Florence

2 Comments

Please send me information on when Cape Perpetua Trails will re-open

Lauren Hesse

May 27, 2020


1. Author
  
  You should ask US Forest Service or Cape Perpetua Visitor Center – 541-547-3289
  
  v.harp
  
  May 29, 2020