Beachside

Beachside State Recreation Site offers direct beach access and camping along Oregon's central coast near Waldport. This popular park combines the appeal of oceanfront camping with easy access to a beautiful sandy beach, making it a favorite destination for families and beach enthusiasts. The campground sits directly behind the foredune, allowing campers to fall asleep to the sound of the surf and walk directly to the beach from their campsites.

The beach and nearshore waters support diverse marine life including harbor seals often visible hauled out on rocks. Gray whales pass offshore during their spring and fall migrations. Shorebirds including sanderlings, western snowy plovers, and various gulls forage along the tide line. Brown pelicans dive for fish in the surf zone while bald eagles occasionally patrol the coast.

Coastal vegetation includes European beach grass and native dune plants stabilizing the foredune. The campground features shore pines providing wind shelter for campsites. Native plants like beach morning glory, sand verbena, and sea rocket grow in the sandy substrate. The area behind the dunes transitions to Sitka spruce and western hemlock forest.

The beach is composed of fine to medium-grained sand derived from coastal erosion and delivered by longshore currents. The dunes backing the beach are young geological features formed by wind-blown sand accumulation. The underlying bedrock consists of Tertiary-age marine sediments exposed in some nearshore areas. Wave action continuously reshapes the beach profile with seasonal and storm-driven changes.

Beachside experiences the mild, wet climate characteristic of the central Oregon coast. Summer temperatures average in the low 60s°F, often with morning fog clearing to afternoon sun. Winter temperatures remain in the mid-40s with substantial rainfall. Annual precipitation exceeds 70 inches. Coastal winds are common, providing relief from summer heat but requiring wind-protected camping gear.

The central Oregon coast has been home to the Alsea people and other tribes for thousands of years. These indigenous communities utilized the rich coastal resources for food, materials, and trade. Euro-American settlement expanded in the late 1800s with development of fishing and logging industries. Coastal tourism grew with improved road access, particularly after completion of Highway 101.

Beachside became part of Oregon's state park system as coastal camping areas were developed along Highway 101 to serve growing numbers of auto tourists. The oceanfront location made it particularly popular, and facilities have been expanded and improved over the decades. The park continues to provide accessible beach camping for visitors from throughout Oregon and beyond.

The wide sandy beach is the main attraction, accessible directly from the campground. Beach activities include walking, playing, sandcastle building, kite flying, and surf watching. Low tides may reveal tidepools along rocky areas to the north. The beach provides excellent opportunities for beachcombing and agate hunting after storms.

The park offers 32 electrical hookup sites for RVs and 42 tent sites, plus 2 yurts for rent. Facilities include restrooms with showers and a day-use picnic area. Located on Highway 101 about 4 miles south of Waldport, the park is easily accessible. Reservations are recommended during summer months. The campground is open year-round with reduced services in winter.

Oregon State Parks manages Beachside to balance recreational access with protection of coastal ecosystems. Dune restoration and beach grass management help maintain natural coastal processes. Visitors are encouraged to stay on designated paths to prevent dune erosion. The park participates in coastal cleanup events and marine debris monitoring programs.