8 Things to do at Cape Perpetua in Oregon

Driving the Oregon Coast is unforgettable. The lush green forest contrasts beautifully with the dark blue of the ocean. The tidepools are teaming with life and the woods provide a relaxing place to setup camp. Cape Perpetua along Highway 101 has several things to experience for an epic visit to the Oregon Coast.

Whether you’re making a short stop or a multi-day camping trip, here’s a rundown of the things you can do at Cape Perpetua.

Some of the spots on the coastline will vary, depending on tide levels. Here’s a helpful (and free) app – Tide Charts – you can use to know tide times during your visit.

Visit Thor’s Well

One of the most popular spots to photograph is at Cape Perpetua. Thor’s Well is a unique formation that changes with the rising and falling tide. As the waves roll in, water fills up the well from holes below. Immediately after, as the water empties, the remnants of water flow back into the well from the surrounding rocks. It was beautiful to watch, and each wave brought a unique look to Thor’s Well.

Thor’s Well is a popular spot for photographers. The trick is matching the Golden Hour (near sunset or sunrise) with the tide being in just the right spot to capture a long exposure (thus blurred water). For the photographers who have the flexibility in their travel plans – and great timing in tide levels, they’re sure to capture an amazing scene.

Walk Along Cook’s Chasm to Spouting Horn

There’s a parking area on the west side of the Highway 101, just south of the Cape Perpetua Visitor Center. Follow the trail down to the tidepools and you’ll be able to see Thor’s Well, along with Cook’s Chasm and Spouting Horn. If you aren’t sure what you’re looking for, you may pass it all by.

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At the bottom of the stairs that head south from the parking lot, you’ll find this inlet (see photo above) known as Cook’s Chasm. Below the bridge is where you’ll find spouting horn. I’m not entirely sure whey they call it spouting horn, but the photo of the area seemed iconic to the coastal roadway known as Highway 101.

Explore Captain Cook Point

Captain Cook Point is just north of Cook’s Chasm. It’s the inlet a short walk from the bottom of the stairs. There are amazing views of the ocean, and as you can see from the photo above, the waves make their way into and out of the narrow inlet.

Be extremely careful. A rogue wave can easily pull you into the relentless ocean. If you fall in, there really isn’t an easy way to get out. And the power of the water will throw you into the rocks. It could easily become a fatal fall.

Discover Life in the Tidepools

One of the more popular things to do along the Oregon Coast is to explore tidepools. They are usually teaming with life. We saw our first starfish of the trip near Thor’s Well. In the other tidepools nearby we found crabs, hermit crabs, slugs, anemones, mussels and more.

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Be respectful of the life in the tidepools. Watch your step and don’t go around collecting the sealife. They’re fun to observe and appreciate living out the remainder of their life in the waters they call home.

Setup Camp at Cape Perpetua

Camping is allowed at the designated campground at Cape Perpetua. The turnout for the campgrounds is a short drive (life 500 feet) north of the turnout to the visitor center (about 500 feet south of the Devil’s Churn pullout on the west side of the road).

There are 38 campsites and one group campsite. You can book your campsite online in advance. They open booking windows on a six month window. Some weekends are based on first-come, first serve and don’t allow advanced reservations. There are some standard non-electric sites and tent only non-electric sites. The nightly rate is about $24, and all sites have a picnic table and fire ring.

All of the activities in this article are within walking/hiking distance of the campground.

Watch Devil’s Churn

Similar to the inlets by Thor’s Well, Devil’s Churn offers a slightly different experience. From the main road, park in the Day Use Area. Pay the $5 fee and you’ll have full use of the restrooms and hiking trails in the area for the day.

The Day Use Area has a great overlook of Devil’s Churn. The photo above was taken from the parking area. A trail takes you down to the water level. Just remember, you have to hike back up however far you walk down.

At the bottom, you’ll want to stay away from the edge. Sneaker waves can easily catch you off guard. Best case, you get soaked by the water and have a fun story to tell. Worst case, the water knocks you off balance and into the water. Don’t let that happen to you.

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Devil’s Churn is a narrow inlet. After the waves reach the end, they run into the waves coming back in on their way out. The churning water makes for interesting sounds and splashes. Enjoy a few moments – or an afternoon – watching the waves roll in and out in Devil’s Churn.

Hike the Scenic Trails

Cape Perpetua has 23 miles of trails. They head into the forest or out along the coast. There’s plenty of variety for almost any skill level or interest of hiker. Print a complete list of all the hiking trails at Cape Perpetua.

Here’s a summary of a few of the trails you can explore:

• St. Perpetua Trail (to Cape Perpetua Day Use): 2.8 miles round trip from the Visitor Center. The trail includes switchbacks that bring you up about 700 feet to the “Best View on the Oregon Coast”.
• Cape Cove Trail (to beach): 0.3 mile takes you under the highway and over to the beach. It connects to the Trail of the Restless Waters and Devil’s Churn.
• Giant Spruce Trail: 2 miles round trip from the Visitor Center to a more than 500 year-old Sitka spruce tree.
• Trail Of The Restless Waters: 0.4 mile paved trail brings you to Devil’s Churn, a cove with violent and dramatic crashing waves during high tide.

Learn About Cape Perpetua at the Visitor Center

The Cape Perpetua Visitor Center is currently closed because of limitations around COVID-19. When the center is open, it gives you an opportunity to learn more about the wildlife and geologic features of the cape. The western-facing deck of the visitor center offers amazing views of the coast line.

During the summer, daily interpretive programs and guided hikes are available. You’ll also find a gift shop to grab your souvenirs. Check with the rangers to see if there are any whales in the area that can be seen from the shoreline. We didn’t see any at this location on our trip, but we did at another.

If you’ve got kids with you, ask about the Jr. Ranger Program.

Check out the hours and other offerings available at the Cape Perpetua Visitor Center.

The Details

Address: Located two miles south of Yachats, OR on Highway 101 or 11 miles south of Waldport, OR on Highway 101.

Cost: Days use area for Devil’s Churn and near the Visitor Center is $5 per day. Single campsites are about $24 per night.

Hours: Visitor Center hours are as follows: Fall/Winter/Spring: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 7 days a week. Summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day): 9:30am to 4:30pm, 7 days a week. Trails and viewpoints remain open dawn to dusk, even when the visitor center is closed.

Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/siuslaw/recarea/?recid=42265

Phone: (541) 547-3289

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