The first thing to know about Seal Rock is that the giant rock there is not called Seal Rock – that would be Elephant Rock and, no, it doesn’t seem to be named for elephant seals.
Much confusion surrounds Seal Rock State Recreation Site, a state park on the central Oregon coast, but one thing is certain: It’s one of the best, most fascinating little beaches on this rocky stretch of the coastline.
With tide pools, fascinating rock formations and some odd stories, the beach is great for either a quick pit stop or a long afternoon spent on the sand. It’s not big – the beach stretches only about .3 miles to the south, with another .3 miles beyond some rocks – but there’s plenty to see, especially if you go at low tide.
Tide pools here are filled with colorful sea stars and anemones, and are naturally frequented by gulls. Most birds, however, hang out at the top of towering Elephant Rock (a confusingly common name in the Pacific Northwest) where they gather in great numbers.
Seal Rock, both the park and the surrounding town, are named for the Seal Rocks, a rock formation along the coastline where seals and sea lions were known to gather – although these days you’d have better luck finding them at the Historic Bayfront in Newport.
A stretch of sandy beach runs along Seal Rock State Recreation Site on the central Oregon coast. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian
Two sea stars are found in the tide pools at Seal Rock State Recreation Site on the central Oregon coast.Jamie Hale/The Oregonian
Gulls gather in tide pools, with jagged rock formations in the surf, at Seal Rock State Recreation Site on the central Oregon coast. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian
Tide pools fill the rocky shoreline just beyond the beach at Seal Rock State Recreation Site on the central Oregon coast.Jamie Hale/The Oregonian
Elephant Rock dominates the northern end of the beach at Seal Rock State Recreation Site on the central Oregon coast. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian
A fairly steep hill descends from the parking lot to the beach, though much of the path is paved and safe to walk. There are also two ADA accessible viewpoints at the park, one overlooking the beach and another just off the parking lot on the north side of Elephant Rock.
Restrooms, picnic tables and a fairly large parking lot (there’s room for roughly 30 cars) make it a reliable pit stop between Newport and Waldport.
And like many other areas on the Oregon coast, there’s some strange history at Seal Rock. In 1935, large sea monsters were reported at the beach, described as sea serpents of “enormous proportions,” according to Beach Connection. The alleged creatures were reported to have spooked the local sea lions and earned a headline in the local newspaper.
If you go to Seal Rock with the hopes of finding sea serpents, you’ll probably leave disappointed. What you will see are some excellent views, a taste of coastal wildlife and a nice stretch of beach. What more could you ask for?
Seal Rock State Recreation Site is open daily for day use, located on the west side of U.S. 101 at Northwest Parkview Street in the town of Seal Rock. There is no fee for parking. Find more information at stateparks.oregon.gov or 541-867-7451.
--Jamie Hale; jhale@oregonian.com; 503-294-4077; @HaleJamesB
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Seal Rock is a beautiful, fascinating beach on the central Oregon coast - OregonLive
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