Smelt Sands State Recreation Site

An excellent whale watching and photography viewpoint. Walk the historic 804 Trail (.75 miles one-way with resting benches scattered along the way). The park is known for tidepooling, rock fishing and the yearly smelt run (smelt are small, silvery relatives of salmon). Breathtaking sunsets.

Park History

Obtained by purchase from private owners in 1971 and 1972. In 1990, after 15 years of effort on the part of public-spirited citizens, an adjoining former county road right-of-way known as the Yachats 804 Trail was dedicated for public recreational use as a hiking trail.

Acreage: 8.65

Annual dayuse attendance: 284,304

Major Features & Activities

Hiking Trails
Beach Access
Fishing