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    Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area

    4.6 (112 reviews)

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    Hayli Z.

    Beautiful nature spot. We came at sunset but during the day there are a few cute little shops that are open for seafood, ice cream and other goods.

    The punchbowl itself.
    Sharon G.

    This natural area is so gorgeous. You can spend time gazing into the Pacific from atop the cliffs or head down to the beach where there are tons of surfers. There are a lot of picnic tables, a coffee shop with ice cream, a wine tasting place, and a chowder restaurant. There are lovely volunteer nature guides who will fill you in on the local birds. Parking is tough. Be patient.

    Punch bowl
    Lindsey H.

    Visited from Eastern Washington with the family. Great spot for a scenic view and some whale watching!

    Danielle P.

    This was one of our stops of many in Oregon this summer. Easy free parking close to bowl or parking lot. There was a guide on site, explaining everything and you can ask questions too. The whole area was clean and well maintained. Bathrooms and good are on site. The punch bowl was probably created by the collapse of the roof over two sea caves, then shaped by wave action. The Devils Punch Bowl State Natural Area is a state day use park on the central Oregon Coast. It is centered on a large bowl naturally carved in a rock headland which is partially open to the Pacific Ocean. I highly recommend you stop to enjoy the history of the site.

    Bridge south 101
    Jodi M.

    This viewpoint off 101 is on a point so you can see north toward Depoe Bay and south toward Newport. Many sign warn about so turn around for RVs and trailers. I agree. But plenty of parking for gorgeous views and picnic at one of the tables. This is one of the MO's locations so yummy clam chowder is available. Otter Rock but they were hunted to extinction so the "heads" you see bobbing are really kelp! My reason to return? Views, surfers, path on Oceanside and flat parking/walk for seniors.

    Ocean, lighthouse in the distance, cliffs
    Lo K.

    It's a landmark or sight not a business. It's so cool. You have to watch the tides but can get right up in close. I could stay there all day.

    According to this sign, when Devil's Punchbowl is active, seabirds have a feast on the local fish.
    Seth A.

    Devil's Punchbowl is one of many popular landmarks located right off Highway 101 going up and down the Oregon Coast. It's a natural wonder, but needs to be timed well for late afternoon and during high tide. Let me explain... Devil's Punchbowl (according to Wikipedia)...is a "large bowl naturally carved in a rock headland which is partially open to the Pacific Ocean. Waves enter the bowl and often violently churn, swirl, and foam". The key to visiting is...when the tide is coming in. Otherwise, you're looking at a large hole in the ground from an observation viewpoint. And unfortunately, that was my case for stopping by. I showed up around 2:30pm back over the summertime and the waters were barely budging. There was no movement or any action. That was deflating because...all I needed was 15 minutes to hang out by the overlook before losing interest. The good news in terms of if you don't catch the crashing waves exploding from the punchbowl, there are other opportunities down Highway 101 to catch those perspectives... Devils Churn is a very similar setting to here and situated just 35 miles south. There's also Thor's Well right next to Devils Churn. And Spouting Horn is also right beside them all. So...Devils Churn, Thor's Well and Spouting Horn are all located in Yachats, OR. You can pick one or two of them to watch their tides coming in and then spend the night in Yachats before continuing back on Highway 101 wherever your destination may be. That's what I'd suggest. In fact, Cape Perpetua Campground is great for spending the night under the stars, but you do need a reservation for camping there. Here are details about this Devil's Punchbowl... - Parking can be tricky because the lot is small. You may have to drive around a few times to find space. - Although a bunch of the attractions along Highway 101 cost $5 entrance fee, it's free to visit here. - Viewing Devil's Punchbowl is done from an observation point along the edge of the coast. There is a fenced in railing protecting you. Pictures can be difficult unless you're taking a selfie. - After hanging out looking at Devil's Punchbowl, there's a Moe's West Seafood and Clam Chowder shop which was nice for having a comforting bowl of soup as a midday snack. - Off to the side of Devil's Punchbowl, there's a staircase leading you down to the beach. I read it's a good spot for surfers. - I also read that you can actually enter inside Devil's Punchbowl when the waters are calm. That's scary (in my opinion). Even chancing it during low tide sounds safe, but if something were to happen and you get stuck inside the bowl, it's game over. In the end, Devil's Punchbowl probably has a lot of potential for visiting after storms or when the weather is rugged and Pacific Ocean waters are turbulent. If you happen to come by during peaceful summer days, you are missing out. It's tough to judge and wait for the right moment to come by, especially if you don't have unlimited time on your hands. Now that I'm more informed about the conditions and have reset my expectations, I hope to return in the future and discover better moments for capturing nature at its finest.

    View from above
    Diane G.

    This is a must see along the Oregon coast! Oregon is filled with delightful treasures, and this is definitely one of the best'! Pictures don't do it justice, this is an amazingly beautiful sight. It is a bit of a hike from the top down to inside the bowl, come prepared with adequate walking/hiking shoes. There is a lot of wildlife, some of it endangered, so be sure to keep children in close tow and follow directions from the park volunteers.

    Brandon M.

    Love this little gem! What a fun day! We took a weekend (two actually!) to drive up and down the coast of Oregon. So much to see and do. Stopped by the Devil's Punchbowl. SO COOL! Ample parking, easy access to both seeing the Punchbowl and down to the beach. 102 steps, total... just a heads-up, it is a hike down to the beach. The views are fantastic. Pictures galore! People are respectful and give you space to enjoy and soak in nature. The beach is lovely. Of course, I'm a sucker for a bunch of guys out there surfing (Forgive me Father, for I am horrible). The waves were rockin' and so were the surfers! Lovely to watch! The bathroom situation was acceptable. Great accessibility to rinse feet post beach and surfing. I'd absolutely go back for a stroll by the Punchbowl!

    Caitlin U.

    This is such a cool spot and a must see if you are in the area. Make sure to check the time tide time and get there at low tide. You can only access the cave during low tide. Otherwise, it will be full of water, and you will not be able to go in. It is such a cool place to explore. Lots of sea fish, crabs, and other cool sea life in the tide pools. Parking is free. I recommend parking closer to the beach entrance. Be sure to take a picture since cell phone reception is spotty here. I attached a map of how to get down to the beach. Make sure to wear good no slip shoes that can get wet. The rocks, especially the ones with the seaweed are very slippery. No flip-flops for this one. Not easily accessible if you are handicap or have any type of mobility issues. You do need to climb down a rocky area to get to the beach area once at the beach area. Once on the Beach Area, you'll follow the path to the opening that will lead you to the devils bowl. Make sure to take note of when high tide is. You do not want to be trapped in the cave during high tide. The devils bowl feels almost to the top with water during high tide. On your way back to the area to get back up to street level. Be sure to check out the other side too! There is a small waterfall and some other fun things to look at.

    Mike F.

    One of my favorite places to stop on the coast. Always better when high tide is coming in and the weather is stormy. Devil's Punch bowl and Biker bay next door are an amazing view of nature's beauty off the Oregon Coast. Watching the water come in with the power into the punch bowl is always amazing. I learned that this spot has been around for 15M to 20M years, mind is blown . Great place to head down and surf, boogie board or get in the water at one of the best surfing spots which you can see up high from this view has a long shallow beach heading into the ocean. The beach on the south side of Devil's Punch Bowl cliff there is a stair case to head down. If you are traveling the coast it is worth the stop.

    Beautiful scenery
    Laura P.

    It had been 30'years since I was last here, and Devil's Punchbowl is still amazing, even if the bowl wasn't geysering out of the hole today. Why? WHALES!! We saw several whales, at least 15 sightings today in just under 30 minutes today, including a mother and her calf surfacing and blowing. It was an amazing experience watching them in nature, one that we did not expect. Glad we had out camera and binoculars! 5 amazing day at Otter Rock stars!!

    The punchbowl
    Jacqui C.

    During my trip to Oregon, I've seen amazing ocean views, but this one was very interesting. My boyfriend's mom suggested that we check out Devils Punchbowl and we're very happy that we did. We came around on a Thursday afternoon and we bought her beagle with us. It was during the low tide when we were there so the "punchbowl" wasn't filling (or filled) up all the way. Maybe next time when we come back we'll aim for a time when it's high tide. Still amazing to see though. There is plenty of parking all around and if you can't find good parking near the entrance, there is a parking lot a little further down the road, but it's not a very long walk to and back. There is a Mo's Seafood restaurant on site if you are looking to grab something to eat. We saw a grand reopening sign on the front, so it looks like they had just reopened not too long ago after being closed for renovations. Great coast stop if you're ever in Lincoln City! And if you're here at the right time, you might see a full punchbowl.

    Partial view of the punchbowl area.

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    8 months ago

    Definitely worth pulling off and walking down the trail and checking it out. Some amazing pictures. The view is majestical.

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    3 years ago

    Beautiful place to stop and see. It's a caved in cave that water churns in and out of beautiful!!

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area

    Any cost to enter or see?

    No! It's free to park and see! You can have some clam chowder or stop at the wine store, though! You can also walk down stairs to the beach!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area

    Wear clothes and shoes that can get wet and be safe, only go down and into the punch bowl during low tide.

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    Fogarty Creek State Park - Fogarty Creek

    Fogarty Creek State Park

    4.4(19 reviews)
    6.4 mi

    Another great state park that we visited during our stay in Oregon!…read more I don't think I've ever been to a beach that connects directly from the forest. After you pass the freeway bridge, the scenery changes from all green to the sandy ocean. The green scenery reminds me of Yosemite National Park in California, with the walkways and the picnic tables all around. We originally came here in search of starfish because we heard there's a ton of them here on the beach, especially in and around the tide pools. Unfortunately we didn't see any, but I enjoyed visiting overall. There were a ton of people climbing the rocks and fishing. When we noticed that the tide was slowly rising, it was time to get out of there. The water was freezing! Nice little state park. I hope to be back again soon and actually find some starfish next time!

    I've driven by here countless times, always on the way to somewhere else. Eventually, we were…read morestaying relatively nearby, and had time to just poke around. Fogarty Creek is a hidden gem - parking is on the inland side of highway 101, and a nicely paved walkway takes visitors alongside the eponymous creek as it makes its way to the Pacific. Because it is physically separate from the main destination, the parking lot has signs warning visitors not to leave valuables in their vehicles. Perhaps good to know if you're daytripping and don't have the option of emptying your car before visiting. We encountered Fogarty Creek towards the end of the day, so we're very much looking forward to a future visit when we can explore further.

    Photos
    Fogarty Creek State Park - Park area with lots of tables to have a picnic!

    Park area with lots of tables to have a picnic!

    Fogarty Creek State Park - Fogarty Creek beach access.

    Fogarty Creek beach access.

    Fogarty Creek State Park - This is the south side of the park entrance

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    This is the south side of the park entrance

    Depoe Bay State Park - Pretty place!!!

    Depoe Bay State Park

    5.0(4 reviews)
    4.3 mi

    One of my favorite stops on our drive down the coast, even though (for me) it was incredibly…read morefrustrating trying to spot all the whales that everyone else was seeing so easily!! We had originally planned to get here early enough to take a whale watching boat tour, but it was so incredibly foggy, we decided to just park and see what we could on the walkway on the main street though town. While a trip out on one of the many boats that leave from here would have been fun, since they all seem to come right near to the shore to see the same whales we were seeing, we saved a few bucks and had a great walk through town instead. There's an informative whale info center, with some great views from their second floor observatory (we even saw a sea lion or two lounging out on the rocks!) along with all the usual gift shops and some pretty good restaurant choices, all in easy walking distance. I'd say go EARLY, both to take the whale watching tours, which seemed to be selling out pretty quickly, in spite of the fog, and to avoid the MUCH larger crowds that seemed to be arriving just as we were heading out around lunch time. Don't let the crowds scare you too much though; it's a great stop and DEFINITELY worth a visit!!

    One of our favorite spots! The waves crashing in, it's an amazing sunset area, whales are in the…read morecove sometimes and there are amazing shops across the street. It's awesome when it's sunny and bright and it's amazing when it's stormy and waves are crashing hard.

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    Depoe Bay State Park - Sunset

    Sunset

    Depoe Bay State Park
    Depoe Bay State Park - Sunset

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    Sunset

    Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint - Relaxing view

    Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint

    4.6(15 reviews)
    5.6 mi

    My best days are spent at the coast, the beach is my happy place. Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint…read moreis my favorite spot to just sit quietly and watch the ocean. I've seen whale spouts -some 10-16 feet high- almost every time so I know they are out there. When whale migration is in full swing, there are usually volunteers from the Whale Museum in Depoe Bay or a Ranger walking around answering questions and sharing their binoculars. If you see one, take advantage of their vast knowledge and listen. The seagulls & pigeons are always hungry and will wait patiently while you decide to do the right thing and throw them a piece of whatever you're eating. This is one of the best places in Oregon to see ocean-going birds like shearwaters, albatrosses, grebes, pelicans, loons, & oystercatchers. I've seen osprey and bald eagles fly over too. It's pretty windy most of the time but that never stops us from picnicking at one of the many weathered picnic tables set up around the parking lot. Even when it's raining, we pick up a snack at one of the many eateries nearby and eat in the car while the wind howls outside. Parking has never been a problem and it's FREE. There are real flush toilets and the bathrooms are fairly well maintained as far as I've experienced. I've never noticed any "strange characters" hanging around but there are lots of people with dogs and visitors from out-of-state enjoying the view. I like to take my sketchbook and do some quick drawing when I can. I've also been known to pull into a parking spot facing the water, roll down a window and take a nap. There's nothing better than the sound of the waves to lull you to sleep. It's worth the time to stop and check out the view, you'll never be sorry you did.

    Boiler Bay has always delivered for me whenever I stopped here for sunset while waiting for sunset…read more What A Magical Spot!

    Photos
    Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint - Cloudy at the horizon, yet still beautiful sunset view

    Cloudy at the horizon, yet still beautiful sunset view

    Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint - Just saw three whales dancing awhile waiting for sunset

    Just saw three whales dancing awhile waiting for sunset

    Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint - The seagulls were also enjoying the sunset.

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    The seagulls were also enjoying the sunset.

    Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area - parks - Updated July 2026

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