About
Chapman Point is a designated Marine Garden
Marine Gardens are designated to protect rocky habitat resources through public enjoyment, learning opportunities, and by maintaining ecological integrity. No change to fish harvest beyond baseline ODFW regulations. No take of invertebrate or marine plant harvest in the intertidal except for single mussels for recreational bait and scientific research permits*.
Features
Key Resources
Located at the northern edge of the City of Cannon Beach, the rocky habitat at Chapman Point boasts breathtaking views, magnificent rock formations, and tide pools full of life. Chapman Point is loved by residents, serving as a stunning place for community members and visitors to walk, watch sunsets, take their children and grandchildren, and view wildlife.
The Chapman Point Marine Garden encompasses roughly 46 acres covering about 0.5 miles of shoreline. There are around 11.1 acres of intertidal habitat area and six acres of offshore rocks and islands within the boundary. The Chapman Point Marine Garden Boundary includes all state-owned submerged and submersible land encompassing the shoreline around Chapman Point, extending 194 yards north and 211 yards south of the tip of Chapman Point (perpendicular to West 7th St. beach access), and extending out seaward to 405 yards from the tip of Chapman Point. The four largest sea stacks within the boundaries are called Bird Rocks.
Site Uses
Visitors commonly use Chapman Point for walking, running, dog walking, tidepool exploration, photography, bird watching, fishing, and kayaking.
Access
Chapman Point site is most commonly accessed from several access points at Chapman Beach at the north end of the City of Cannon Beach, including at the western ends of West 7th Street and West 5th Street. It is also accessed from the central beach of Cannon Beach (the “main” beach, which sees the highest visitation), by crossing Ecola Creek, which separates the two beaches. It is also accessed from Crescent Beach to the north, at low tides by crossing the sand bridge between Chapman Point and the first Bird Rock, or around the western (ocean-facing) side of the first Bird Rock when tides are low enough.
management
Site Management
Chapman Point was designated as a Marine Garden in 2024.
Regulations
No take of shellfish and other invertebrates in the intertidal with the exception of single mussels (for bait).
Ownership
The government agencies with jurisdiction within or nearby Chapman Point Marine Garden are the Oregon Department of State Lands, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. See Appendix D and Appendix E of TSP Part Three, The Rocky Habitat Management Strategy, for more information about specific state and federal regulations at apply within the Marine Garden.
