Nelscott Beach | Oregon Coast

Nelscott Beach stretches almost three miles along the southern section of Lincoln City and is bordered by Siletz Bay on the south and the D River on the north. The beach is named after a small community of Nelscott established in 1926 and existed as a small town until incorporation with other four small communities into Lincoln City in 1965.

Nowadays Lincoln City is a popular tourist destination. A row of cottages and hotels sits just above a bluff along the coastline. So, if you are a guest of one of those vacation rentals, a beach entrance is available from your place.

If you come for a day, use one of a few public access places to the shoreline. The north beach entrance is SW 11th Drive and Canyon Drive Park. The south public access is available via SW 33rd or SW 35th Streets. The Canyon Drive City Park has eight parking spots. The southern beach access has small parking areas for three to four cars.

The broad and almost flat Nelscott Beach is a delightful place to enjoy your favorite type of activities including hiking, beachcombing, tide pools exploring, surf fishing, or surfing.

During summer and fall, Lincoln City hosts numerous events such as annual Kite Festivals, “Clamming and Crabbing Clinics”, and Taft Beach Sandcastle Contest.

Beachcombing Treasures

This is a great destination for those who come to find a hidden treasure. Search for agate, jasper, and fossils. During summer the beach is covered with sand but you still find minerals. But winter months when tides and storms shift sand levels are much more productive.

Both ends of the beach have good-sized gravel bars exposed under the ocean forces in winters.

From mid-October to Memorial Day 3,000 hand-blown glass floats are placed on Nelscott Beach as on other beaches of Lincoln City up to the north to Roads End Point.

Wildlife viewing

Nelscott Beach is a fantastic place to see a variety of ocean wildlife. Probably the most notable animals on the beach are harbor seals at the mouth of the Siletz River. Their population is estimated to be a few hundred specimen. The best way to see their daily life of hunting for fish, socializing with other seals, or simply resting in the bay is by using binoculars.

Surfing

Lincoln City attracts experienced big-wave surfers from all over the world for the Nelscott Reef Big Wave Classic events. The event is held annually in winter when the weather and ocean conditions allow so. Located one mile away from the northern edge of the beach, Nelscott Reef creates a surf break with pretty predictable conditions for huge waves with height from 30 to 60 feet.

Cautions: Beware of changing tides, rip currents, driftwoods, sneaker waves and never turn your back to the ocean.

Attention Fellow Beachgoers

Unfortunately, our beautiful Pacific North West beaches are stained with trash, especially plastic. We, at Oregon Discovery, as well as other unaffiliated groups of nature lovers made a commitment to do our part in keeping our beaches clean, but we need your help too!

Every time you go out to enjoy nature at your favorite spot, please bring a garbage bag or two and help us pick up garbage. Even picking up a little bit here and there will make a huge difference long term.

Please, help us save our beautiful nature for the generations to come!