Page 623 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

OREGON  621

Sea stacks rise off the weathered coast of Bandon
s Oregon Coast attraction along the 35-mile attract a variety of recreation
(56-km) Three Capes Scenic enthusiasts. Boardwalks make
n 137 NE 1st St, Newport, Oregon,
(541) 574-2679, (888) 628-2101. Route, farther south. The rocks it easy to enjoy stunning vistas
∑ visittheoregoncoast.com below Cape Meares State Scenic from Oregon Dunes Overlook,
Viewpoint and Cape Meares about 20 miles (32 km) south of
Hundreds of miles of pristine Lighthouse are home to one Florence, while the mile-long
beaches make the Oregon of the largest colonies of Umpqua Scenic Dunes Trail,
Coast one of the the state’s nesting seabirds in North 30 miles (48 km) south of
best-loved tourist destinations. America. The Cape Lookout Florence, skirts the tallest dunes.
The developed northern part State Park is a good place to Bandon, near the mouth of
has some of Oregon’s most spot migrating gray whales. The the Coquille River, is so small and
popular resorts, while the Oregon State Parks Association weathered that it is difficult to
southern part is more wild and provides detailed information imagine that it was once a major
rugged. The coast is ideal for a about the sights along this port. Craggy rock formations rise
range of recreational activities stunning route. from the ocean just off the
such as driving, cycling, hiking, The Cape Perpetua beach. These wind-
camping, shell-fishing, and Scenic Area has the sculpted shapes
whale- or bird-watching. highest viewpoint on include Face Rock,
Oregon’s favorite beach town, the coast. A road allegedly a Native
Cannon Beach, south of Astoria, ascends to the top at American maiden
retains a quiet charm. Haystack 800 ft (240 m), and who was frozen into
Rock, one of the tallest coastal an easy hike along stone by an evil spirit.
monoliths in the world, towers the Giant Spruce Trail A wild landscape of
235 ft (72 m) above a long leads to a majestic, dunes and sea grass
beach and tidal pools. Ecola 500-year-old Sitka can be seen at the
State Park, at the beach’s north spruce. From Cape Dune buggy, Oregon Dunes Bullards Beach State
end, carpets Tillamook Head, a Perpetua, Highway National Recreation Area Park, which lies
basalt headland, with verdant 101 leads to Heceta across the marshy,
forests. Viewpoints look across Head State Park, with its ocean bird-filled Coquille Estuary.
raging surf to Tillamook Rock views – birds nest on rocks and
Lighthouse, which was built sea lions and gray whales swim } Three Capes Scenic Route
in 1880. Nature is the main offshore. Rising high above Oregon State Parks. Tel (800) 551-
the surf, the Heceta Head 6949. ∑ oregon.gov/oprd
Lighthouse was first lit in 1894. } Cape Perpetua Scenic Area
Steller’s sea lions inhabit the Visitor Center: Tel (541) 547-3289.
Sea Lion Caves, the only wild Open Spring & Fall: 10am–4pm daily;
sea-lion rookery on the North Jun–Aug: 10am–5:30pm daily; Nov–
American mainland. mid-Mar: 10am–4pm Thu–Mon.
The massive sand dunes of Closed public hols. & 8
the Oregon Dunes National } Oregon Dunes National
Recreation Area stretch south Recreation Area
from Florence for 40 miles n 855 Highway Ave, Reedsport,
(64 km). Towering sand form- (541) 271-6000. Open dawn–dusk
Picturesque house on Hemlock Street, ations, lakes, pine forests, daily. & ∑ fs.fed.us/r6/
Cannon Beach grasslands, and open beaches siuslaw/recreation

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