Location: Waldport
Top Things to do in Waldport
- 1. Yachats coastline
- 2. Seal Rock State Park
- 3. The Chocolate Frog
- 4. Alsea Bay Bridge Interpretive Center
- 5. Governor Patterson Memorial State Recreation Site
- 6. Driftwood Beach State Recreation Site
- 7. Beachside State Recreation Area
- 8. Thor's Well
- 9. Robinson Park at Port of Alsea
- 10. Oregon Coast Trail
The 10 Best Things to Do in Waldport, United States
Waldport is a city in Lincoln County, Oregon, United States. The population was 2,033 at the 2010 census. The city is located on the Alsea River and Alsea Bay, 18 miles (29 km) south of Newport and 8 miles (13 km) north of Yachats.
Restaurants in Waldport
1. Yachats coastline
Overall Ratings
5 based on 674 reviews
Reviewed By LarryM295 - Tinley Park, Illinois
Devote a day to the multiple coastline features from Yachats south toward Florence. Consider visiting the water features like Devil's Churn and Thor's Well around high tide, if possible. You can duck into every wayside, viewpoint, beach, etc. in this Cape Perpetua Area for wonderful scenery and/or chances to explore. Get close to the ocean at a beach, hike out on the rocks to view sea lions or seek majestic views of the coastline from elevation such as the Heceta Head Lighthouse. You may need to pinch yourself to verify what you are experiencing. Upon seeing our pictures from a day at the coast and some other Oregon locations, a handful of my in-laws could not book a trip fast enough for later in the summer. Go here!
2. Seal Rock State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 110 reviews
Reviewed By Luther N - Langley City, Canada
About 10 miles south of Newport. Just by the roadside of Highway 101. Very easy and short hike to the beach. Significant weathering of the cliff side as compared to 5 years ago when I first visited. The path to the beach had been re-routed further inland and fences were added at the top of the cliff with obvious signs advising visitors of hazardous areas. The path down to the beach is now paved and fenced - much safer then before. Very relaxing stroll on the beach watching the wave pounding on the rocks.
3. The Chocolate Frog
Overall Ratings
5 based on 85 reviews
Reviewed By CM_G279 - Manchester, Washington, United States
Popped in here in the middle of exploring the town on a rainy day... We were greeted upon arrival and offered the opportunity to try a free piece of saltwater taffy of our choice...
They have a nice selection of regular and sugar-free chocolates, fudge, other candy choices, some silly gift items of a non-edible nature.... It was a nice experience.
The milk chocolate sea foam we both bought was YUMMY, the salted caramel I've saved for later, as hubby has the caramel pecan fudge he got....but they both look delish!!
4. Alsea Bay Bridge Interpretive Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
Reviewed By Mushroomminnow - Sacramento, California
This center was a combination interpretive center and visitor center. Lots of informational brochures on what to do in the area, maps and guides. There was a very friendly woman (not sure if staff or volunteer) who was extremely helpful answering our questions. Further into the room was the interpretive center which was the history of bridges in general and specifically the Alsea Bay Bridge. Lots of pictures, models, and a piece of the old bridge before modernization.
Large parking lot with a couple of picnic tables overlooking the bridge and the river. We had a picnic lunch and watched men fishing from shore. From here you can walk on the beach or go under the bridge.
5. Governor Patterson Memorial State Recreation Site
Overall Ratings
5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By Nancy B R - Klamath Falls, Oregon
Wow what a great beach for a morning walk ..Lots of sand dollars on the beach.Seals in the water close to the shore line..Tons of waterfowl /Ducks to watch. And ifyour luck the are Eagles in the area near the river were it goes into the ocean
6. Driftwood Beach State Recreation Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By Paul T - Dallas, Oregon
This is about the third time we have visited this beach. Relatively easy access to the beach but I would not say the path to the beach is handicap accessible. The beach must be very self cleaning as there never seems to the usual ocean debris on this nice sandy beach. I will always visit this beach when in the area. We walked our dogs on the beach for about an hour and looked for good shells. I am told that the beach is known to have agates. We have never found any. We will return!
7. Beachside State Recreation Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By kacgeary - Bend, Oregon
Three days on the beach. A little rain, a bit of sun, campfire, sunsets are heavenly. The campground is clean, guests are friendly, and the camp hosts are grand. There is some highway noise in the campsites closer to the roadway, but you cannot beat the location to so many fun activities.
8. Thor's Well
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 78 reviews
Reviewed By timkoma - Omaha, Nebraska
Thor's Well itself is very cool if you go about 1 hour before high tide (I'm sure it's great any other time as well). There's a connecting trail that takes you along the rocks. In places it's a bit steep and there are loose or slippery rocks in other spots. Wear good shoes, we saw people in flip-flops trying to walk on rocks beside dangerous spots. We spent a few hours in the area and really enjoyed it.
9. Robinson Park at Port of Alsea
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By half-Brit - Oregon Coast
Robinson Park is tucked away at the little Port of Alsea, next to the the boat ramp in Old Town. It's a very small park with nice views of the bridge and the bay. From the park, you can walk along the edge of the bay, which is a nice level beach area ... but there are no waves!
We stop by here from time to time in the summer as it does not get the wind that the beach gets. We've enjoyed picnics here too! There are three picnic tables with fire rings next to them. Two are kind of sheltered and one is up on a little knoll with a great view of the water.
There is an informational sign about "ghost shrimping". I find many coastal visitors are not familiar with what this, so this tells them about it.
There are two wooden benches where you can sit and enjoy the view, but to me they are rather uncomfortable unless I've remembered to bring some sort of cushion!
It's a pleasant little park :-)
10. Oregon Coast Trail
Overall Ratings
4 based on 10 reviews
Scenic hiking trail stretching 362 miles along the Oregon coastline.
Reviewed By half-Brit - Oregon Coast
NO real trail here! The "trail" is either the beach or the highway!
Although the Oregon Coast Trail goes the length of the state, in some places it's simply NOT a "trail" by any stretch of the imagination.
Waldport is one of those places.
Coming from the north, going southbound, the "trail" is along the beach sand. Okay, fair enough. That's not a hiking trail in my opinion, but at least it's fairly quiet and pleasant. Once you come to the Bayshore Beach Club, though, you have to turn inland since there is no way to get across the Alsea Bay.
So here we are, walking along paved streets. Okay, at least they aren't jammed with fast moving traffic . . . uh oh . . . next we're supposed to walk along Highway 101?
Yep, the "trail" then goes right down busy, noisy Highway 101 with all the cars, trucks and RVs whizzing right by. You have to walk to the right of the fog line - in what most people think is a bike lane although it's not an official bike lane, just a lane marker. Then the "trail" goes across Alsea Bay Bridge along the sidewalk.
Between the busy highway and the sidewalk, this is not my idea of a "trail".
We're now across the bridge, and can get away from the traffic noise for a short time by using a quiet side street along the bay. Then unless it's a really low tide, you have to go back out onto the highway, walking to the right of the fog line (again, it's not a real bike lane here, just a lane marker).
Finally, you can get back to the beach to continue the journey south to Yachats along the sand.
I believe that previous visitors may have confused Waldport with Yachats!
Around Yachats, the trail is a true trail that winds along the rocky shore, weaves in and out of a wooded area, and is generally much more pleasant with pretty views of the ocean. Other trail segments along the Oregon coast are far nicer than around Waldport.
The Waldport section of the Oregon Coast Trail is NOT a "trail" and it is not enjoyable "hiking" along the busy highway!
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