Neptune State Scenic Viewpoint

You can witness the power of the sea from the grassy bluff at Neptune State Scenic Viewpoint. According to the Oregon State Parks website, “Owing to the winter wave action on this rocky shore, the park was poetically named for Neptune, Roman god of the sea.” Neptune is the trident-bearing Roman version of the Greek god Poseidon, often depicted with a bare muscular torso and flowing beard. Given the tumultuous dark frothiness stimulated by winter storms in Oregon, the name of a moody mythological sea god seems apropos.

Cummins Creek finds outlet on the shore just north of the Neptune parking area, spanned by Cummins Creek Bridge, one of Conde McCullough’s many arched triumphs. If you can negotiate the stairs and their rough rock landing, you can see it wax picturesque from the sand.

South of Neptune, both Strawberry Hill and Bob Creek waysides are part of Neptune State Scenic Viewpoint.

View bench

50 Steps

Close and flat, although bumpy in the grass portion, you can preside over the ocean below like Neptune himself from a well-placed bench. Old chain link is stretched along the perimeter for safety, but in most areas it is lower than the foliage, so does not obstruct a seated view. Unfortunately, there is no curb ramp, so you’ll need to clear this step first.

Terrain: Curb, then almost level gravel followed by bumpy grass.

Seating: Two benches and a few picnic tables

Fee: No fee

Restrooms: Available up a path from the parking lot. You pass the building on the left as you enter the lot.

Directions: On Highway 101 at the northern edge of Lane County, just a few miles south of Yachats, turn west at the Neptune Oregon State Parks sign into the parking lot. The path and bench are visible from the parking area.

Beach

75 Steps

One of Lane County’s plentiful stony shorelines, if stairs and rocks are not obstacles for you, you may appreciate these less-visited sands. Skirted to the north and south by craggy promontories, the beach is roughly one third of a mile from end to end.

Not to your liking? Check out the Beach Roundup to find which beach between Florence and Yachats best fits your plans.

Terrain: Almost level gravel followed by a gravel and wood stairway of 15 stairs with a wooden handrail. A rock bed of large irregular embedded rocks and some small loose rocks must be crossed before reaching sand scattered with more sunken stones.

Seating: None

Fee: No fee

Restrooms: Available up a path from the parking lot. You pass the building on the left as you enter the lot.

Directions: On Highway 101 at the northern edge of Lane County, just a few miles south of Yachats, turn west at the Neptune Oregon State Parks sign into the parking lot. The path starts at the southwest corner of the parking area.