Situated between Newport and Florence along Highway 101, Cape Perpetua continually draws visitors with incredible views, magnificent forests, and all-out beauty in many forms. Encompassing approximately 2700 acres of land, the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area boasts twice the botanical mass, per square acre, as the Amazon jungle in South America. While Cape Perpetua is a day-use fee area, as with other state parks, the fee can be paid at any park location and is good all day long at all state parks. Annual passes are also available for frequent visitors.

Twenty-three miles of trails include views of both seashore and forest settings. One popular trail guides hikers out into the words to the magnificent Giant Spruce Tree. The trail to the Giant Spruce, approximately 1 mile in length from the Interpretive Center, provides a fairly easy hike (with just a few more strenuous hills). Once visitors reach the over 500 year old spruce, they begin to understand the true concept of "giant". Approximately 15 feet thick, this wonder of nature provides steps to reach the gnarled root system with kid-size crawl spaces. It's a must for visitors to this spectaacular area.

The other well-known trail at Cape Perpetua, slightly longer and much more strenuous - definitely for the more experienced hiker, takes visitors up to the Cape Perpetua viewpoint. The good news for those who are unable or unwilling to make this hike is that the area also provides a two mile drive up to the viewpoint. This well-cared for, paved road guides visitors to the top of the cape where handicap accessible ramps make this spectacular view available to all visitors.

While at the viewpoint, a slightly more narrow, and non-handicap accessible walking trail guides visitors to the West Shelter. The shelter, on a clear day, affords a view encompassing approximately 150 miles north to south - from Cape Foulweather all the way down to Cape Blanco near Port Orford. It also can provide visitors with a view 40 miles out to sea. This view, while spectacular and worth the slight hike to the shelter, does cover some slippery and root covered ground. Visitors are encouraged to go slowly and carefully watch their step. It's a long way down!

From the Cape Perpetua Viewpoint, visitors can get a full view of the area below, including the many tidepools, the Spouting Horn, and the Devil's Churn. A hike down below - heading out from the Interpretive Center provides visitors with up-close views of these spectacular sights. Again, these trails contain some ups and downs which will provide a good stretch of the legs, but many trails are also wide enough for wheelchair accessibility. This area is not to be missed by any visitor to the Oregon Coast.

The Devil's Churn and tidepools can provide both children and adults alike with great views of sealife. As tidepools contain more life per square foot than dry land, visitors never know exactly what they may come across when exploring this area. While the area is magnificent to explore, parents are encouraged to walk with their children as the many rocks can be quite slippery and often waves can come up unexpectedly causing dangerous situations. Enjoy, just be careful.

Finally, the Spouting Horn, also wheelchair accessible to a certain point that still provides a great view, is a must-see for all visitors to the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area. While best viewed in the winter, early spring and late fall days can also provide magnificent views of this work of nature. The higher and more frequent the waves, the more likely the Spouting Horn will be going strong.

This spectacular gift of the Oregon Coast often mesmerizes visitors with its powerful statement each time the waves hit the cave just right. Often it's not always the biggest wave that makes the largest spout - watch for the smaller waves too. There's even a unique sound that escapes the cave just before the horn blows its top. This is yet another area that can be dangerous with high waves coming in at any time. However, if visitors are aware of their surroundings, nothing compares to watching the horn blow over and over again.

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