Hikes/Walks

Hikes/Walks

Whalers Rest Hikes and Walks

Ocean to Bay Trail

This recently opened trail is but a small portion of a trail planned to connect the beach with the bay. Start at the east end of Agate Beach Wayside parking lot north of Newport and follow the asphalt trail left to go under Hwy 101. Turn right, parallel with the highway for just over a tenth of a mile, then veer away from the noise of the highway and begin your stroll over a series of boardwalks and bridges. In spring, aptly named skunk cabbage rises from the marsh. Wildflowers bloom alongside the graveled path. After a level .6 mile, the path seems to end, but walk right to Big Creek Park, a nice place for a shady picnic. If you are not finished walking yet, cross through the park and take a wide path that climbs steeply for a quarter mile, then climbs only slightly higher to level off at two huge water tanks.

We were disappointed that we had no view after that climb so we continued on to a gravel road, forking left at the first intersection. After climbing more, through a clearcut, we had views of both lighthouses, the bay bridge and the ocean. Our total mileage was 3.3 but you may be able to increase that if you desire.

OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center Nature Trail

This mostly paved, just over 1/2 mile trail gives you some of the most expansive views of Yaquina Bay on foot. Views from the path include spring and summer wildflowers and a tremendous variety of coastal bird life. From the Preserve, drive north on Highway 101 about 5 miles and follow the signs for the Newport Aquarium. Take Ferry Slip Rd past the aquarium, then turn right on OSU Dr. Follow the signs to the parking lot of the Marine Center, a total of 5.6 miles from the Preserve, and go to the south end of the parking lot where the path begins.

Port of Newport Public Fishing Pier

To get out on the water without getting seasick, try a short stroll on the public fishing pier, a thin finger of dry walking right over the waters of the bay. Get up close views of seabirds, see pelagic cormorants nesting on the bay bridge and watch crabbing and fishing from the pier. Fishing boats skiff in and out of harbor.

To get there, drive north about 5 miles and follow the signs off Hwy 101 to the aquarium. Pass the aquarium entrance and at OSU Dr. turn left, then enter the parking lot for Rogue Brewery Headquarters on your right and go to the west end. Look for the asphalt path near the interpretive signs and public restroom.

Mike Miller Trail

Expect the full 45 minutes estimated at the trailhead for this hike through a sitka spruce forest. The trail is slightly less than a mile, but ascends and descends many times, with several stops on the way. Be sure to pick up a trail brochure in a box attached to the back of the trailhead sign, which will describe the various marked stops along the way. To start at the beginning numbers, veer left at the intersection.

In spring, many of the bushes display beautiful blooms, and birds can be heard, but not many seen because of the thick vegetation. Wear sturdy shoes--the trail is criss-crossed with roots in many places.

Drive north on Highway 101from the Preserve 3.8 miles, turn right on SE 50^th. Go .3, slightly past the trailhead sign to pullouts for parking.

South Beach State Park Trails

Old Jetty Trail. A quiet one mile trail from South Jetty to the day use area of South Beach State Park. From the South Jetty road (26th), look for a brown sign to the south marking the trail. Start off on this sandy trail through scotch broom, salal and beach grass. Shortly, you enter a shore pine forest with the occasional sitka spruce. Huckleberry bushes can also be found trailside.

Soon, you cross paved paths like clockwork. At .4 mile the campground "1/2 mile trail," at .5 mile the campground "1/3 mile trail" and at .6, the 10 foot wide South Jetty Trail. At .7, turn right at the "1/4 mile trail" to enjoy the ADA accessible boardwalk with views of the beach. On a clear day, you can see the Bay Bridge and Yaquina Bay lighthouse.

After leaving the boardwalk, take an immediate right (do not return to where you were) and walk .3 mile to the Day Use Area. Enjoy a picnic or stretch out on the grass to rest up for the return trip. Either return as you came, or walk past the Old Jetty trail sign to a sign marked for the ADA boardwalk, “400 yards.” This paved trail will take you all the way back to South Jetty at bit west of your vehicle. Another alternative is to turn right at the next intersection and walk .1 mile to the Cooper Ridge nature trail. This trail loops around the campground in 1 ¾ miles. We have not taken this trail for quite some time, but it has similar vegetation, while providing a bit of ascending and descending.

See the park brochure with a map of the campground and trails here. To access the park day use area, drive north on Highway 101 3.5 miles and turn left at the signed entrance to South Beach State Park. To access the trails from the South Jetty, drive north on Highway 101, follow the signs for the aquarium, but drive past the aquarium to OSU Dr, where you will turn left. Go under the bay bridge and turn on 26th St. Drive west, looking for the brown sign to the south.