Stonefield Beach - Rockhounding, Tidepool Exploring, and Whale Watching

Stonefield Beach State Recreation Site is a quiet, isolated stretch of the Central Oregon Coast at the mouth of Tenmile Creek, located just 7 miles south of Yachats.

The creek divides the shoreline into two sections, each with its own public access point on the north and south sides of the highway bridge. This beach is an excellent spot for agate hunting, tidepool exploring, and whale watching. Gray whales migrate from Alaska to Mexico between December and January, and return north from March through May.

The northern section of the beach is a narrow, rugged shoreline that extends about 0.8 miles to Bray’s Point. The first 800 yards are made up of cobbles, pebbles, gravel, and basalt outcrops. Because the basalt ledges sit within the surf zone, the best time to explore this area is during low tide.

The northernmost access point has the larger parking area. A short gravel path leads through a quirky tunnel of dense bushes. Once you pass through, you’ll step onto a beautiful rocky beach with excellent beachcombing and sweeping views of the rugged shoreline and the endless Pacific Ocean.

The southern segment is a quarter-mile sandy beach backed by small dunes.

The southern parking lot is smaller, and if it’s full, you can park at the northern lot and use the trail that runs along the highway and across the bridge.

In winter, the south parking area may be closed because storms and high tides often push sand and debris onto the path, but the beach itself remains open.

During winter and high-flow periods, swollen Tenmile Creek becomes unsafe to cross.

Stonefield Beach Agate Hunting

The northern part of Stonefield Beach is an excellent spot for rock collecting and tidepool exploring. The best time to hunt for agates is from November through April, when winter storms and king tides wash away sand and expose new material. You can find agates—including carnelian and sagenitic varieties—along with jasper, petrified wood, shells, sea glass, and other interesting rocks.

In winter, when sand levels drop and more gravel is exposed, good material can also be found on the southern beach.

Keep in mind, as a part of the Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve and Marine Protected Areas, there are some restrictions. Fishing, taking any invertebrates, seaweeds, or wildlife is prohibited. To find out more check the Oregon Marine Reserves Harvest Restrictions.

Note: A permit is required to collect vertebrate fossils.

Check Rules and Rockhounding Regulation for Oregon Coast and Oregon State Parks.