About

Harris Beach is a 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

Goat Island is visible from Harris Beach Marine Garden; the offshore island is home to seabird colonies and pinniped haul outs. 

Site Uses

Harris Beach has a substantial intertidal environment that is one of the highest use intertidal areas on the south coast.

Relatively high use from the adjacent state park campground; uses include educational activities, tidepooling, sightseeing, beachcombing, picnicking, photography and sport fishing from shore.  Harris Beach State Park provides interpretive services on site including tidepool naturalist walks and campground programs.  .

Access

Primary access is from well-marked, easy trails from Harris Beach State Park.  There are several improved and easy access trails from Harris Beach State Park, the entrance to which is on the north end of the city of Brookings, Oregon off Highway 101.  Following the main park road to its end, which loops around at the day-use parking area affords the easiest access to the far north end of the site. From the day-use area, it is a short walk to the beach on an improved trail.  

Approximately 0.2 miles south of the day use area, there is another improved (paved) path that leads off the main park road and down to shore level, north of the entrance to the campground.  On the far south end of the site, a path leads down from the main road (near the entrance to the park) to shore level. An improved (wood-chip covered) trail runs almost the entire length of the upland park from the entrance to just before the day-use area with another trail running to the campground in the middle.  

Access to Goat Island and all offshore rocks is prohibited as they are part of the Oregon Islands NWR and are important habitat for birds and marine mammals.

Management

Site Management

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department manages the ocean shore recreation area.  This site is a Marine Garden (fronting the park) that is bordered on teh north and south by the Brookings Marine Research Areas.  Much of the upland is managed as Harris Beach State Park which is part of the Harris Beach Management Unit. Offshore rocks and islands are managed by USFWS as part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge.

Regulations

Harris Beach is a Marine Garden meaning it is closed to the collection of all shellfish and marine invertebrates.  

Ownership

• Submerged and intertidal lands: Department of State Lands
• Offshore rocks above Mean High Water (MHW): U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Adjacent beaches and much of the adjacent upland: Oregon Park and Recreation Department.  
• The remainder of the uplands to the north and south of Harris Beach State Park is privately owned.