Oregon coast has a justified reputation as scenic and incredibly beautiful. The Pacific Ocean, long sandy beaches, rugged cliffs, and many other attractions make it worthy of a road trip. Cape Perpetua is a headland and not quite a peninsula. This large forested area is part of Siuslaw National Forest and has numerous natural things to see. Scenic overlook headlines the list, and it is easily accessible with a car.
If you’re flying across the Pacific from Down Under, you’ll need to fill out the esta application australia. Travelers from all 39 countries in Visa Waiver Program can get travel authorization through the simple online application process. Administration takes around three days to process the application. Afterward, you can explore the US for up to 90 days.
The Overlook
Cape Perpetua connects lush forests similar to the temperate rainforest with the ocean. There are more than 25 miles of hiking trails, numerous coves, and tide pools. The starting point, however, is the Cape Perpetua Overlook.
You can start with the Visitors Center to purchase a day pass and get all the relevant information about the park rangers’ protected area. The Park Lookout is the highest viewpoint on the entire state coastline accessible by car. Situated some 800 feet above sea levels, you can see up to 70 miles of coastline on a clear day and 30 miles into the ocean. The viewpoint is some five minutes from the Visitor Center, and there is a tiny parking lot at the top.
Rock formations, pools, and coves are among the top attraction in the area. Spouting Horn at Cook’s Chasm is a hole in the cove where the ocean builds up on high tide and throws water like a whale in the air.
There are numerous tide pools like Thor’s Well that are attractive during the high tide, but you must be extraordinarily careful and stay at a distance.
Cape Perpetua lighthouse
Cape was named after St. Perpetua Day, celebrated on March 7, when in 1778 Captain James Cook, on his third voyage, came here on his way from Hawai looking for Northwest Passage. One of the Cape attractions is Cleft of the Rock, a privately owned lighthouse built-in 1976.
The Cape Perpetua Lighthouse is a replica of the Fiddle Reef Lighthouse from the British Columbia coast. It is built with redwood on a plane some 110 feet above sea level. The lighthouse is 34 feet tall, and it helps ships from Coos Bay to Yaquina Bay.
Cape Perpetua hikes
The Cape has numerous trails, all of them well-maintained and documented. You can find the list with descriptions at Visitor Center. Among many hiking trails, Big Spruce Trail is one of the most interesting. Starting from the Visitor Center, this trail leads you through 2 miles of the round trip. You will see giant Sitka Spruce up to 500 years old trees. The thick, lush forest is the main attraction on this trail.
Short 0.3 miles Cape Cove Trail will take you from the Visitor Center over the paved trail to the beach, where you can find viewpoints and tide pools.
All trails have dramatic names. Trail of the Restless Waters is another paved path that leads to the Devil’s Churn cove that offers exciting views during a high tide.
Captain Cook Trail also starts at Visitor Center and leads on a0.8 mile round trip near old Civilian Conservation Corps camp, Indian shell middens to tidepools. You can also explore St.Perpetua Trail, Whispering Spruce Trail, Oregon Coast Trail, and many others.
Cape Perpetua hotels
The nearest town to the Cape Perpetua is Yachats, some three miles from the Visitors Center. Ocean Cove Inn has rooms with numerous amenities close to the beach. Adobe Resort is oceanside accommodation with a restaurant, fitness center, and casino. You can find an indoor pool, Wi-Fi, and other modern amenities.
Only 4 kilometers from the Cape Perpetua is Overleaf Lodge. You can enjoy beautiful sea views. The guests get continental breakfast and a slew of usual amenities. Other accommodation options include Fireside Motel, The Dublin House Motel, and Silver Surf Motel.
Cape Perpetua camping
The scenic and protected area have a campground with only basic amenities like toilets. The great thing about Cape Perpetua Campground is perfect location inside of a forest, but the lack of quality tent locations and almost no amenities will deter some guests. You can always go to Yachats to find more comfortable accommodation.
Whatever you want to book, wait and check esta status first. Most applicants get approval after a couple of days, but you will need to apply for a lengthier classic Visa procedure if your application is rejected. Secure your ESTA permit, and then you have ample time to arrange all bookings and reservations for your Oregon road trip.
Bottom line
Cape Perpetua encompasses all that is great about the Oregon coastline. You can see spacious beaches, rocky tide pools, and rugged cliffs. Close to the ocean, you can find rainforest, incredible viewpoint, and miles of hiking trails.
