This spectacular park sits at the confluence of the Yachats River and the Pacific Ocean and is well worth the stop.  There is a loop from second street (going west) to the park and then up along the Yachats River.  With restrooms and plenty of parking and picnic tables, this park features a viewing platform for to observe the incoming waves of the Pacific crash on the rocky shore and meet the outgoing waters of the Yachats River. 

 

This convergence of river and sea is known for an abundance of fish — particularly during the salmon run, which brings in species of birds including gulls, plovers and egrets.  Gray  whales  are often spotted from the platform and can be seen during their annual migration.   Visitors are drawn to the park’ for dramatic photographic opportunities and exploring the tide pools that house a  host  of creatures  including anemones, hermit crabs, sea stars, limpets, and mussels.  

 

Yachats (pronounced Yaaah-hots) is named for the Native Americans who lived in the area prior to 1860 when the Army forced the Umpqua and Coos tribes off their own land and escorted them to the Yachats area when remains of previous tribes.  Archeologists have studied the area and determined that humans have likely been living here since at least 500BC.  Many native tribes thrived here before the outbreak of smallpox in the 17th century.   It seems the area was inhabited seasonally rather than all year, as the brutal environment often caused crops to fail  which make storing food for the winter unpredictable. 

 

Yachats marks the end of the expansive sandy beaches from Waldport, but also marks the beginning of the rocky coast where boulders are mainly made up of basalt, siltstone and sandstone, and were formed some 25 million  years ago. Native Americans walked across this beach and along what is now the Yachats 804 Trail.

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Yachats State Park is part of the Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve and Marine Protected Area.   This means that there are specific rules against fishing and the harvesting of fish, invertebrates, and seaweed. 

 

Day Use Amenities:

           Bathrooms, picnic tables

 Dog friendly;

 Extensive Hiking trails, rocky shores;

 Fishing allowed from shore (with license)

 Ample parking lot, but no overnight camping allowed without reservation.

Directions by Car:  Go south  8 miles to Yachats, turn right (west) on 2nd Street.  The road makes a small loop through the park and up along the Yachats River and Bay. 

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