Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter, photographer and videographer in Oregon for 11 years. Trails for all three pathways begin here. Follow signs for the main day-use parking area. The park’s map details the location of all the trails.ĭirections: From Newport, drive south on Highway 101, crossing the Yaquina Bay Bridge and heading another three miles to signs for the park. The 1.75-mile loop twists through the forest around the edges of the park’s campground. Many then hike down to the beach and follow it back to the day-use area.Īnother option is the Cooper Ridge Nature Trail. Either way, both deadend at South Jetty - and South Jetty Road. The difference is that the South Jetty Trail is paved and more frequently used, while the Old Jetty Trail is unpaved and meanders a bit more. View Gallery: South Beach State Park jetty trailsĪmong the more popular hikes is taking the South Jetty or Old Jetty trails through forest and dunes to the jetty, then walking back on the beach for a 2 to 2.5 mile trek.īoth trails begin at the main day-use area. There’s also an array of plants, animals and mushrooms you’ll have the chance to come across. The trail features a unique combination of sand dunes, marshland and old-growth forest you only find intact in a few places on the coast. It has some steep sections that will challenge younger kids, but in general it’s a great open-to-everyone hiking experience. The hike is 1.2 miles total - with possibilities for a longer outing. 2: Mike Miller Educational ParkĪn inconspicuous 40-acre park on the south side of Newport features beautiful old-growth forest and multiple cool wooden bridges. Two other beautiful and short hikes include Quarry Cove, on the beach, and Salal Hill, which climbs three switchbacks to a summit viewpoint of the ocean and coast.ĭirections: Drive 3.5 miles north of Newport and turn left at signs for Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area. Tour tickets can be reserved 90 days in advance on Recreation.Gov - and that’s recommended for the peak of summer. Get a $1 ticket for the tour that includes a history lesson and the chance to climb to the lighthouse’s top. View Gallery: PHOTOS: Tours of Yaquina Head Lighthouse near Newport, Oregonīack at the top, head to the 93-foot lighthouse. Note: Renting a fat bike to riding on Nye Beach is also great fun. Hike a few miles on the sand in either direction, then turn around and head back.ĭirections: Park anywhere in the Nye Beach district area, on the north side of town. The south route heads to the jetty of Yaquina Bay. The more scenic walk is to the north, where the cliffs and white tower of Yaquina Head Lighthouse rise overhead. But instead of Yaquina Bay as backdrop, Nye Beach has a long stretch of scenic sand and the ocean.įrom the town area, simply walk through the arches onto Nye Beach and enjoy a wide sweep of sand in both directions. The other famous area of Newport is Nye Beach, another touristy spot of restaurants, brew pubs and gift shops. Trailhead: Find a parking spot in the Newport Historic Bayfront area and walk toward the recreation site.
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The small-scale lighthouse is open for tours most days in the summer and from Wednesday to Sunday in winter.Ĭheck the Oregon state parks website for more details on hours and attractions. Keep going to visit the Newport Bay Historic Lighthouse.
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Home to restaurants, fishing charters and docks teeming with sea lions - all below the Yaquina Bay Bridge - a walk through Newport’s Historic Bayfront is a popular tourist spot.Īs you walk, continue into Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site, home to a forest bluff with views of the Pacific Ocean.