One Of Oregon's Best Beaches Is A Beautiful State Park With Incredible Coastal Views

No list of Oregon's most scenic beaches would be complete without the inclusion of Harris Beach State Park. Located on the southern Oregon Coast near Brookings, this park is a perfect place to enjoy outdoor adventures. Known for its magnificent coastal landscape and beautiful sandy beaches it is perfect for sightseeing, fun activities, and deeply connecting with nature. This park provides a magical experience for tourists with an appetite for outdoor fun, and should be among the first places you think of as an avid adventurer. 

Moreover, this park offers one of the best beaches to have a family get-together or a gathering with friends, as it is an excellent spot with open spaces for picnics, coastal walks, and tide pooling. During low tide specifically, visitors can see colorful starfish, sea anemones, and hermit crabs. More excitingly, you can spot marine mammals like harbor seals and California sea lions lounging on offshore rocks. Another great thing about Harris Beach State Park is that dogs are allowed, although your pet has to be on leash at all times. The park has several accessibility features, including accessible bathrooms, parking, and paved paths.

Harris Beach State Park is an amazing sight to behold in its own right, yet the side attractions around the area give it an added gusto. The park is surrounded by a number of beautiful coastal landscapes that mark it as a wildlife sanctuary consisting of diverse marine and bird life. One highlight is Goat Island (also called Bird Island) — an offshore spectacle which is 230-feet tall with 21 acres of land, and considered Oregon's largest coastal island. This island is part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness Area, and is home to over 100,000 birds that nest in the spring. This makes the island one of the most prominent sights for those who love birdwatching. However, this island isn't open to the public, so the most feasible way to catch a good view of the puffins, petrels, cormorants, and other seabirds on the island is to bring binoculars.

Another attraction just nearby is the Port of Brookings Harbor, perfect for activities like boating and fishing. Here, you can also enjoy some incredible views, as visitors often spot migrating gray whales that come so close they can be seen from shore. It's also possible to sight orcas and blue whales occasionally. Another must-see spot around is the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, a 12-mile stretch along Highway 101 filled with secluded coves, sea stacks, and some of the most photogenic coastal landscapes and scenery. Sunset views here are among the most amazing in the Pacific Northwest. Note, however, that there may be limited access to some of the spectacular sights here, requiring the use of viewpoints (like House Rock and Arch Rock) as well as hiking trails.

Harris Beach State Park is one of the most beautiful places along the Pacific Northwest coastline, making it an easy addition to any Oregon road trip. For tourists traveling by air, Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR) is about a 2.5-hour drive from Brookings. Alternatively, if you're flying from Oakland or Hawthorne, California, you can fly into Crescent City Airport (CEC), just a 30-minute drive. Harris Beach State Park is free to visit, but camping comes with a fee. And although the park is open year round, the best time to visit is summer, July through September, when the weather is stable and beach activities are more fun, or in the spring for birdwatching.

This park has only one main campground, but it offers full-hookup RV spots, tent sites, and a few yurts. It's strongly advisable to make reservations (which you can do up to six months in advance). The per-night price ranges from $20 to $70, depending on the site type. You can have access to facilities like restrooms, hot showers, as well as the beach. For tourists who may not want to camp, there are hotels and motels around the area such as Spindrift Motor Inn, with prices starting around $80. When coming to the state park, don't forget your camping essentials: warm layers, bug repellent, swim gear, a waterproof tent, beach mats, and food supplies.