Natural Bridges in Oregon is absolutely phenomenal. I could have stood there for hours just soaking up the sites before me. It located just a short distance off Highway 101, and even the hike to get there is beautiful. The bridge overlooking Natural Bridges is a site in and of itself.
It is just a short 200 feet off of Highway 101 so it is accessible for almost everyone. We went right about sunset and the lighting was great and the weather was clear. I have been told that early morning is best, but that didn’t work for us. I am so happy we were able to capture some great shots while we were there.
Craggy bluffs, secluded beaches, and offshore rock formations await visitors along the 12 ocean-hugging miles of Samuel H Boardman State Scenic Corridor, located between Brookings and Gold Beach along Highway 101.
Learn more about the Samuel H Boardman State Park Corridor here
This stretch of the highway features one turnoff after another, each with access to picnic areas, viewpoints and trailheads that connect an 18-mile segment of the Oregon Coast Trail. There are a couple of ways to experience this park: pick a trailhead and spend the day hiking one of the sections, or stop at each parking area and explore its features.
Here are some highlights to help plan your trip:
Cape Ferrelo Viewpoint: A mile-long hike leads to breathtaking views of the rugged coastline and photo-worthy Oregon sunsets. The Cape is also an excellent spot for whale watching in fall and spring.
House Rock Viewpoint: A memorial commemorates Samuel H. Boardman, the first Oregon State Parks superintendent and the park’s namesake. The 4-mile trail between Cape Ferrelo and House Rock offers many side trails to secluded beaches.
Whaleshead Beach: This oceanfront picnic area has gorgeous views and an easy, flat path to the beach.
Natural Bridge: Follow a short trail to one of the best viewpoints in the park — the seven iconic arch rocks and blowholes known as Natural Bridges. Here you’ll find a memorial to Dr. Samuel Dicken, who first envisioned the Oregon Coast Trail.
Arch Rock: From the paved parking lot, a short path leads to an overlook featuring a series of offshore sea stacks and islands.
Whether you hike all 18 miles or just 1/4 of a mile, take a moment to consider the multitudes who have walked the same worn path for millennia: Native Americans, explorers, gold seekers and settlers.
Have you been here before? What did you think?
Roadtrip down Highway 101
Planning a trip? Be sure to check out our other stops on our trip from Utah into Washington and down Highway 101:
- Snoqualmie Falls Washington
- Top 5 Favorite Things to Do at the Thunderbird RV & Camping Resort
- Thunderbird RV & Camping Resort Review
- Lodgepole Campground in Washington
- Grove of the Patriarchs
- Narada Falls in Mt. Rainier National Park
- How to spend 1 day at Mt. Rainier
- Salt Creek Recreation Area
- Cape Flattery Trail Hike
- Shi Shi Beach Trail Hike
- Klahowya Campground in Port Angeles, WA
- Ruby Beach in Forks, WA
- Kalaloch Beach (Tree of Life)
- Quinault Rain Forest in Washington
- Ape Caves Washington (Lava Tubes)
- Multnomah Falls in Oregon
- Astoria Column in Oregon
- Lewis and Clark National Historic Park
- Port of Garibaldi in Oregon
- Cape Meares (Octopus Tree) Oregon
- Netarts Bay in Oregon
- Devil’s Lake State Recreation Area
- Hug Point State Recreation Site Oregon
- ORPD Whale Watching Center in Oregon
- Yaquina Head Oregon (Lighthouse and Cobble Beach)
- Cape Perpetua (Thor’s Well and Spouting Horn)
- Hobbit Trail Hike in Oregon
- Bandon South Jetty and the Coquille River Lighthouse
- Meyers Beach (Hunters Cove) in Oregon
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