Beverly Beach

Beverly Beach State Park is one of Oregon's most popular coastal campgrounds, offering oceanfront camping and excellent beach access north of Newport. The park features a large campground set in a forested canyon that provides shelter from coastal winds, with a tunnel under Highway 101 leading directly to a beautiful sandy beach. The combination of protected camping and immediate beach access has made Beverly Beach a favorite destination for generations of Oregon families.

The beach and nearshore waters support abundant marine life. Harbor seals and sea lions are often visible on rocks and in the water. Gray whales migrate past seasonally, sometimes visible from the beach. Shorebirds including sanderlings and western snowy plovers forage on the sand, while brown pelicans and cormorants fish offshore. The forested campground hosts songbirds, deer, and small mammals.

The campground occupies a lush coastal forest canyon featuring Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and red alder. The dense forest understory includes sword fern, salal, and evergreen huckleberry. The beach is backed by low bluffs with coastal vegetation including shore pine and beach grass. Spencer Creek runs through the campground, supporting riparian plants and adding to the site's natural character.

The beach is composed of fine sand derived from coastal erosion and longshore transport. The low bluffs backing the beach expose Tertiary-age marine sedimentary rocks. Spencer Creek has carved the canyon through these soft rocks, creating the sheltered campground setting. The creek continues to slowly erode its canyon, requiring ongoing management of the pedestrian tunnel.

Beverly Beach experiences the mild, wet climate typical of the central Oregon coast. Summer temperatures average in the low 60s°F with frequent morning fog. Winters are mild with temperatures in the mid-40s and substantial rainfall. Annual precipitation exceeds 70 inches. The sheltered canyon location protects the campground from the strongest coastal winds.

The central Oregon coast has been home to the Alsea and Siletz peoples for thousands of years. These tribes utilized the abundant marine and forest resources. Euro-American settlement expanded with the development of Newport and construction of coastal highways. Beverly Beach developed as a popular recreational destination as automobile tourism grew in the 20th century.

Beverly Beach became a state park in 1940, with the Civilian Conservation Corps playing a role in early development. The park has been expanded and improved over the decades to accommodate growing numbers of visitors. The pedestrian tunnel under Highway 101 was constructed to provide safe beach access. Today it remains one of Oregon's most popular coastal parks.

The wide sandy beach accessible via the highway tunnel is the main attraction. Beach activities include walking, playing, tidepooling, and wildlife watching. Spencer Creek offers a pleasant forest walk through the campground. The nearby Cape Perpetua and Devil's Punchbowl provide additional attractions. Newport's Oregon Coast Aquarium is a short drive south.

The park offers 128 tent sites, 53 full hookup sites, and 21 yurts for rent, plus a hiker/biker camp. Facilities include restrooms with showers, a meeting hall, and a nature trail. Located on Highway 101 about 7 miles north of Newport, the park is easily accessible. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer months. The park is open year-round.

Oregon State Parks manages Beverly Beach to balance high recreational use with protection of natural resources. Creek restoration efforts help maintain water quality and fish habitat. Campsite design minimizes impacts to the forest ecosystem. Interpretive programs educate visitors about coastal ecology. The park participates in regional marine conservation efforts.