Tucked at the base of the Oregon Coast Range, Yachats is a great place for inspired hiking. In every direction, the view is postcard-worthy. From Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, the highest point on the Oregon coast, to the Ya’Xaik Trail, enjoy countless miles of trails. Complete your Yachats visit browsing art galleries and souvenir shops in town and feasting on the day’s seafood catch.
The Cape Perpetua Scenic Area is the most rugged part of the Oregon coast, covering 40 miles (64 kilometers) from Waldport through Yachats and continuing south. Start at the Cape Perpetua Visitor Center, where staff members are available daily to answer questions and offer hiking suggestions. More than 11 trails span 26 miles (42 kilometers) throughout the area, including the wheelchair-accessible Captain Cook Trail. At low tide, watch waves crashing and splashing out of the Spouting Horn.
Have coffee at a café in town and get a walking guide from the Yachats Visitors Center. Follow the historic 804 Trail. Then hop on the Ya’Xaik Trail at the east end of Diversity Drive. This trail is named for the native Alsea People who lived in this region for centuries and traveled between the coast and inland hunting grounds to find food or visit family. Wander a bit, eventually landing at the east entrance of the Gerdemann Botanic Preserve.
Whale-watching is popular in Yachats. Two excellent spots to see these gentle giants are the Ocean Road State Natural Site and the Smelt Sands State Recreation Site. Drive the Ocean Road loop south of Yachats, with opportunities for exploring the beach, tidepools and blowholes as you scan the horizon for whales.
In Smelt Sands, the historic 804 Trail is perfect for tide pooling and famous for its annual spawning run of small silver fish. Enjoy dramatic sunsets here.
Find Yachats between Newport and Florence on the Oregon coast. Fly to the Eugene Airport, about a 1.5-hour drive southeast. Bring an appetite for hiking and coastal views.
