Seal Rock State Recreation Site
If you’re looking to see many of the Oregon coast’s splendors in a single spot, head to the little community of Seal Rock, Oregon, situated north of Waldport and south of Newport. Big rocks, assorted sea stacks, a long beach, tide pools, sea birds, and sea lions – all of these adorn the swatch of shoreline at Seal Rock State Recreation Site.
From the viewing area and you can see the basalt monolith labeled Elephant Rock, which looks like a kneeling pachyderm, facing north, hindquarters south – at least to those with fertile imaginations! I can easily see the face in Bandon’s Face Rock, the breaching whale at Whaleshead Beach, and even Chief Kiawanda with his ponytail at Cape Kiwanda, but I find it a stretch to envision an elephant in this particular Elephant Rock. Perhaps its likeness has deteriorated over time.
Looking for seals? According to a local web site, the sea lions in the area prefer lolling at low tide on the rocks at the south end of the beach. That’s quite a distance from the viewing area, so bring your binoculars or telephoto lens if you want to witness their antics.
Viewing area
125 Steps
A section of path at the top of the paved trail provides an excellent vantage at Seal Rock State Recreation Site. A string of sea stacks stretch left and right from this hilltop spot. The frothy scalloped edges of waves lapping the shore at varying intervals create a lace-like effect in the waters visible more than a mile north. Seabirds cover the tops and tuck into nooks on the nearby rocks.
The step count above is from the parking lot to the start of the viewing area, but you have the option to rest at a picnic table next to the incline part of the path after about the first 50 steps. You can lengthen the walk by strolling the full length of the viewing area, which adds close to 75 steps one way.The viewing area ends at a deteriorated path that reached the beach in days past. A newer trail starts on the west side of the parking lot, providing access to sand and what looks like some wonderful tide pools. Unfortunately, the descent is reported to be steep by many visitors and requires negotiating rocks and driftwood as it ends, so a beach walk at Seal Rock State Recreation Site is not covered on 100 Steps.
