Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Waldport, OR

  • Published 2022/11/04

Waldport is a city located within Lincoln County in Oregon.

German settlers founded Waldport in 1879.

Its name has German roots; “wald” means forest, and “port” refers to how close the town was to the Pacific Ocean.

The United States Census Bureau states that Waldport has a total land area of 2.77 square miles and 0.25 square miles of water.

The last recorded census in 2010 stated that 2,033 people live in Waldport.

Waldport is famous for its many state parks, which provide beautiful vistas of the Pacific Ocean coastline.

If you’re unsure what to do when you visit the area, here are the 15 best things to do in Waldport, Oregon:

Explore the Tide Pools at Seal Rock State Recreation Site

Scenic view of Seal Rock State Recreation Site

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The Seal Rock State Recreation Site is a state park along the Pacific Coast Highway in Waldport.

Founded in 1929, Seal Rock is best known for the large number of tide pools that can be spotted when the tide is low.

The tide pools are a great place to witness natural wonders of the deep, such as sea stars, anemones, mussels, and chitons.

Daytime view of Seal Rock State Recreation Site

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If you are in the right place at the right time, you can even catch sight of seals and whales.

Visit the park in the afternoon to enjoy the majestic sunset view.

Seal Rock has a designated viewing deck for park guests.

Enjoy a wonderful picnic by the coast using the benches and tables provided by the state park.

Enjoy Riverside Activities at W.B. Nelson State Recreation Site

The waters of W.B. Nelson State Recreation Site

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The W.B. Nelson State Recreation Site is a state park by the Alsea River in Waldport, Oregon.

You can find this recreational site at OR-34, established in 1959.

The Alsea River is nearby, making the park a popular destination for water activities such as fishing and kayaking.

Although there isn’t a boat ramp, park guests may head toward the designated dock area to access the river.

The kinds of fish that are most abundant in the river are trout and bass.

Besides fishing, the W.B. Nelson State Recreation Site is an excellent area for animal watching, hiking, and picnicking.

Have a gander at the beautiful waterfowl that reside at the Alsea River while you are hiking or having a picnic.

Spot the Roosevelt Elk at Drift Creek Wilderness

Drift Creek Wilderness is a 5,798-acre wilderness located in Siuslaw National Forest.

You can visit Drift Creek Wilderness at Forestry Lane.

This location is popular for its scenic nature views and hiking.

The area is filled with tall Sitka spruce trees, maple trees, and hills that rise to 2,000 feet.

For hiking options, you can explore the Horse Creek Trail and the Harris Ranch Trail.

People also visit this spot to go animal watching.

You can find wildlife such as black bears and Roosevelt elk roaming around.

Or, for those who are more interested in avians, watch woodpeckers, the northern spotted owl, and bald eagles.

If you love hiking and observing wildlife, make a trip to Drift Creek Wilderness in Waldport.

Learn about Local History at Alsea Bay Bridge Interpretive Center

Exterior of the Alsea Bay Bridge Interpretive Center

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The Alsea Bay Bridge Interpretive Center is a museum that highlights the history of bridges built in Oregon.

Visit the Alsea Bay Bridge Interpretive Center on Highway 101.

The Oregon Department of Transportation built the museum in 2020 to raise funds for the bridge replacement for Waldport.

The center not only details the history of bridges in Oregon but also the timeline of the whole recorded history of the state.

Learn more about the history of the Native American tribes that reside within Oregon through their various exhibits.

Check out the Alsea Bay Bridge Interpretive Center to learn more about the history of Oregon and its Native American tribes.

Have a Picnic at Governor Patterson Memorial State Recreation Site

Trail at Governor Patterson Memorial State Recreation Site

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The Governor Patterson Memorial State Recreation Site is a state park in Waldport, Oregon.

The state park is situated along the Pacific Coast Highway.

The park was founded in 1931 to commemorate Governor Isaac L. Patterson, who founded Oregon’s first Park Commission.

The park is known for having great views of the Pacific Ocean coastline.

Visit the park in the late afternoon to catch the sunset.

This location is a great place to have a picnic, as some picnic benches are located by the coast.

Park guests can enjoy hiking and fishing within the state park grounds.

The Governor Patterson Memorial State Recreation Site is also an ideal spot to go animal watching as there are reports of crabs, seals, and even whales that pass by the coast.

Schedule a visit to the Governor Patterson Memorial State Recreation spot to have a picturesque view of the Pacific Ocean during your picnic.

Check Out the Exhibits at Waldport Heritage Museum

The Waldport Heritage Museum is a small museum where you can learn more about the local history of Waldport.

You can find the museum on Highway 101 and offers free admission.

The museum shows Waldport’s local history and information on the famous individuals hailing from the town.

The Waldport Heritage Museum also has local artifacts on display.

The museum collects local land records, newspapers, photographs, and letters that originated not only from Waldport but from the rest of South Lincoln County.

Make a stop at the Waldport Heritage Museum to educate yourself about the history of Waldport and South Lincoln County proper.

Camp by the Seaside at Beachside State Recreation Site

The sands of Beachside State Recreation Site

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Beachside State Recreation Site is a state park in Waldport managed by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

You can find this recreational site along Oregon Coast Highway.

The recreational site was founded in 1944, originally named Big Creek State Park.

The park assumed its current name in 1957.

People often come here for the accommodating campgrounds.

The campsite is near the coast, so you’ll surely get that nice ocean breeze during your stay.

It is convenient to camp as there are bathrooms and free water access.

You have the option of camping out here with either a tent or a yurt.

There are also spots for people visiting the site with their RVs.

Regarding recreational activities, visitors can go hiking, fishing, and picnicking.

Visit the Beachside State Recreation Site for a relaxing night of camping by the Waldport coastline.

Enjoy the Coast at Driftwood Beach State Recreation Site

Beachgrass at Driftwood Beach State Recreation Site

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Driftwood Beach State Recreation Site is a state park near Waldport that the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department manages.

Drop by this recreational site on Pacific Coast Highway.

Since its opening in 1968, it has become a popular spot to access the ocean.

You can even spot shore pine along the coastline.

Trail at Driftwood Beach State Recreation Site

Finetooth, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Driftwood Beach State Recreation Site is a good location for going on picnics, with picnic benches and tables nearby.

Park guests can also fish, provided they bring their equipment.

Parking spots for RVs and trailers are aplenty for people who want to stay overnight by the beach.

Make your way to the Driftwood Beach State Recreation Site for an idyllic time by the beach.

Take a Photo of The Big Stump

The Big Stump is a beach and nature preserve located in Waldport, Oregon.

Reach The Big Stump at Pacific Sands Drive.

The Big Stump refers to the giant redwood tree stump that can be easily seen at the beach’s high tide line.

Redwood trees are not native to Oregon, but they may have grown in this spot almost two thousand years ago when the land conditions were way different than they are now.

The Big Stump is positioned upright, almost as if it grew from the sandy beach.

The Big Stump is a famous landmark for the various Native American tribes that lived along the Oregon coastline.

Make time in your itinerary to grab a photo of this famous Waldport beach landmark.

Explore Beaver Creek at Brian Booth State Park

Gorgeous sunset over Brian Booth State Park

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Brian Booth State Park is a state park under the administration of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

The state park was founded in 2013 when two previous parks merged, One Beach State Park and Beaver Creek State Natural Area.

Brian Booth State Park is best known for its beautiful rock formations; bring your camera to take some snapshots.

A bridge at Brian Booth State Park

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Picnic Tables are scattered along the beach if you’d like to grab a snack by the coast.

Brian Booth State Park allows guests to access the beach, but guests go fishing or kayaking at Beaver Creek instead.

Take a look at Brian Booth State Park to gain access to the Pacific Ocean coastline and Beaver Creek.

Collect Agates at Smelt Sands State Recreation Site

Rock formations at Smelt Sands State Recreation Site

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Smelt Sands State Recreation Site is a state park managed by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

You can check out the state park at Lemwick Lane.

The Smelt Sands State Recreation Site was founded in 1990 and is best known for its scenic nature and ocean views.

If you are a photographer, you’ll be delighted to find many spots to take pictures, such as the gorgeous coastline and the unique rock formations by the beach.

Ocean wave at Smelt Sands State Recreation Site

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When the tide is low, check out the tide pools.

If you’re lucky, you can even find metamorphic rocks like agates!

See what the Smelt Sands State Recreation Site has to offer other than agates.

Light a Campfire at Tillicum Beach Campground

Tillicum Beach Campground is a campsite by the beach located in Siuslaw National Forest.

You can visit the campground along Highway 101.

This location is famous for being one of the top options around Waldport for camping overnight.

Either camp out with a tent or your RV in the designated parking spots.

Tillicum is convenient to camp out in as its guests have free water access.

You may also use their well-maintained toilet facilities.

The campground is by the seaside, so beach access is guaranteed.

All it takes is to go down two sets of stairs, and you’ve reached the beach.

If you’re looking to light a campfire, the campgrounds sell firewood.

If you’re looking for a convenient place to camp with easy and convenient access, visit Tillicum Beach Campground.

Interact with the Seals at Oregon Coast Aquarium

Exterior of Oregon Coast Aquarium

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First opened in 1992, Oregon Coast Aquarium is located in the neighboring town of Newport to the north of Waldport.

Visit the Aquarium at Ferry Slip Road.

Oregon Coast Aquarium is famous for its exhibits on wildlife native to the Pacific Ocean.

Volunteers posted around the aquarium are open to answering any questions about the animals in the aquarium.

Swimming seals in Oregon Coast Aquarium

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The aquarium is divided into inside and outside exhibits.

The inside exhibits contain smaller fish in tanks, while the outside exhibits have larger animals, such as otters, seals, and octopuses.

While it’s technically outside of Waldport, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is worth making a short trip to Newport to experience the unique things they offer.

Sea nettle jellyfish in Oregon Coast Aquarium

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Enlighten Yourself at the Yaquina Head Lighthouse

Scenic view of the Yaquina Head Lighthouse

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The Yaquina Head Lighthouse is an iconic landmark of the Oregon coastline, along Lighthouse Drive.

Originally erected in 1873, it was christened the Cape Foulweather Lighthouse but was later changed to its present name.

The lighthouse holds significance for guiding many ships that pass by the Oregon coast before the era of modern technology.

Get a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean by climbing to the top of the lighthouse.

Top part of the Yaquina Head Lighthouse

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You can walk to the coast during low tide to explore the tide pools as they resurface.

During the right season, you can spot whales and seals in the waters.

The lighthouse has a museum that highlights its history and the various wildlife you can see from the coast.

See the Yaquina Head Lighthouse to witness an icon of American history.

Aerial view of the Yaquina Head Lighthouse

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Admire the Pottery at Earthworks Gallery

Earthworks Gallery is an art gallery in Yachats, a neighboring town of Waldport.

People often visit Earthworks Gallery along Highway 101 for their collection of art pieces.

You can admire their many paintings on display or purchase some if you want to bring home a piece of Oregon with you.

Aside from paintings, the gallery has many pottery pieces and even fine jewelry for sale.

Make a stop at Earthworks Gallery to check out their collection of paintings, pottery, and jewelry collection.

Final Thoughts

Waldport, Oregon is the place for many recreational sites, museums, and beachside activities.

Take photos of iconic landmarks like the Yaquina Head Lighthouse and The Big Stump, witness animals in the wild, or interact with the wildlife at the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

If you want to experience the Northern Pacific Ocean coastline, Waldport is the place for you.

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