By Jamie Hale | The Oregonian, OregonLive

A bald eagle circles high above the lighthouse, as dark clouds roll in from the ocean. Out in the water, a gray whale spouts and the tide comes in, bringing nourishment to the tide pools that line the head like little pockets of treasure.



The Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, found just north of Newport, is one of the best-managed and most beautiful parks on the Oregon coast. It has the advantage of an unbeatable location and a storied history, but it's a place where humans and nature just seem to get along well, offering an experience that feels as rugged as it does accessible.



The Bureau of Land Management defines an outstanding natural area as a place with "high scenic values that has been little altered by human impact." The areas are protected for environmental and historic concerns, and a number exist around the country – including Oregon's Diamond Craters and the Valley of the Giants.



But Yaquina Head stands out for its sheer diversity of oceanside experiences. You can visit the Yaquina Head lighthouse, climb around tide pools and hike to the tops of hills, from which you can see it all. Visitors often head out to the lighthouse and leave, but there's actually a lot to do at Yaquina Head. Here's all you need to know about the Oregon coast's own outstanding natural area.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Quarry Cove

As the name suggests, Quarry Cove used to be an old rock quarry, repurposed into an intertidal area in the early 1990s. From the parking lot, a paved pathway offers easy access for all visitors to viewpoints above the quarry and even down to a small, sandy beach. Rocks jutting out into the ocean are good for a short scramble as well. Low tide is naturally the best time to visit.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Interpretive Center

The Yaquina Head interpretive center is a must-see. The expansive visitor’s center features several well-managed and updated exhibits on marine life, local history and life at the Yaquina Head lighthouse. Rangers there are also exceptionally helpful when it comes to navigating and learning about Yaquina Head.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Yaquina Head Lighthouse

The crown jewel of Yaquina Head – as well as the tallest lighthouse in Oregon – the Yaquina Head Lighthouse truly is a beautiful site. While the outbuildings that once surrounded it are gone, the lighthouse still stands proudly and is open for public tours. Stop by the interpretive center to sign up for a tour, or enjoy the exterior at your leisure.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Cobble Beach

Just below the cliffs at the lighthouse, Cobble Beach is accessible by a long wooden staircase next to the parking lot. At the bottom, you’ll find a narrow beach made entirely of identical gray cobble stones. It’s a lovely ocean view from the base of the cliffs, but the real treat is the sound the stones make underfoot, and as the tide knocks them together.

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Salal Hill

The hike is short but the views are stunning at the top of Salal Hill, an open hilltop directly above the interpretive center. Take the quick .6-mile round-trip hike from the lighthouse parking lot for stunning views of the entire head, including the coves on either side, the lighthouse and Agate Beach to the south.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Communications Hill

Another short hike with more good views of Yaquina Head and beyond, Communications Hill is a .8-mile round-trip hike along a forested access road on the inland section of the head. From the top, you can take in a good view of Agate Beach, as well as several prominent Coast Range peaks to the east. The U.S. Coast Guard still maintains communications equipment at the top of the hill – hence the name.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

NEWPORT TRAVEL GUIDE

20 things to do in Newport: Newport is the funky capital of the Oregon coast. Check out our big guide to the sights, eats and excursions around town.

Hike the Ocean to Bay Trail: Walks along the ocean and bay are nice in Newport, but the Ocean to Bay Trail offers a forested stretch in between.

The Wax Works is eerie fun: About as creepy as it is fascinating, The Wax Works is the only remaining wax museum in the Pacific Northwest.

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--Jamie Hale | jhale@oregonian.com | @HaleJamesB

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