About

Neptune State Scenic Viewpoint is a Marine Research Area

The research reserve includes all rocky areas, tide pools, and sand beaches situated between extreme high tide and extreme low tide lying between the northerly and southerly boundaries of the northern parcel of Neptune State Park. This designation includes the “Strawberry Hill” area but not Bob Creek since it is in the southern parcel of Neptune State Park.

Neptune State Scenic Viewpoint was designated as a Research Reserve in 2019, and the designation was revised to a Marine Research Area in 2021.

Features

Key Resources

Intertidal communities; some seabird nesting on nearby cliff sites.

Site Uses

Neptune State Park is primarily used for recreation like sightseeing and fishing from shore with some tidepooling, picnicking and beachcombing. 

Access

Located off US 101, approximately 4 miles south of the city of Yachats in Lane County, Oregon.

Highway 101 runs very close to the shore along this stretch of coast.  There is a short access trail to the shore from Neptune State Park and from a highway pullout area.  A narrow and winding highway and seasonally heavy traffic create safety concerns at entrances to pullouts and waysides.  There are two day-use areas that both provide access to the intertidal areas to the north and south of Cummings Creek.  The access to the south of Cummings Creek is via a short wooden staircase from the parking area. The access to the north at Gwynn Creek is via a short, relatively easy gravel access trail.  This trail gets slightly more difficult near the bottom where it becomes necessary to cross some cobbles before reaching the beach.  Although Cummings Creek moves rather quickly during some times of the year, it is passable with waterproof footwear. The small highway pullout to the north of the Gwynn Creek day-use area provides very limited parking space (1-2 cars).

Management

Site Management

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) manages several waysides in the area as part of Neptune State Scenic Viewpoint, which is part of the central coast (Area 3) Management Area, and the Beachside Management Unit.  The beaches and rocky shores of Oregon are part of Oregon’s Ocean Shore Recreation Area, which is managed by the OPRD. ODFW manages the site as a Research Reserve.

Regulations

No take of shellfish and other invertebrates, however clams, Dungeness crab, red rock crab, mussels, piddocks, scallops, and shrimp may be taken. Regulations apply inside the site boundary of "Intertidal between the northerly and southerly boundaries of Neptune State Park.". No take of invertebrates at all where the site overlaps with Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve. (see current ODFW fishing regulations for a list of species and exact boundaries).

Ownership

• Submerged and submersible (intertidal) lands: Department of State Lands
• Beach and upland areas: Oregon Parks and Recreation Department