About the Otter Crest Loop
The Otter Crest Loop is a one-way scenic drive just south of Depoe Bay, Oregon, known for its steep coastal cliffs, historic bridge, and sweeping viewpoints of the shoreline.
This short, 5-mile, one-way detour heading south off Highway 101 climbs 500 feet to Cape Foulweather and passes some of the most photographed vistas on the central Oregon Coast.
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Stop 5: Devil's Punchbowl State Natural Area
Just 2 more miles to the south, pull into the small community of Otter Rock before the Otter Crest Loop ends and merges back with Highway 101. Follow the signs for Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area and park in the public lot. This small parking lot gets full quickly, so arrive early for the best chances of securing a spot.
Take a short walk to see the hollowed-out bowl-shaped rock formation, likely created by the collapse of two sea caves. It’s a popular spot to watch the waves as they swish and swirl into the bowl, especially during king tides and winter storms. There are also tide pools along the north side of the punchbowl, as well as at Otter Crest Beach and Otter Rock Beach. You should only attempt to go inside the bowl during the lowest tides.
Continue South to Newport
Continue driving south on Highway 101 and you’ll pass some of the best beaches near Newport, including Beverly Beach, Wade Creek Beach and Moolack Beach. Beverly Beach State Park day-use area is a popular spot with a path leading under the highway to the beach. Though we didn’t camp on this trip, we have camped at Beverly Beach State Park campground before and loved riding our bikes to the ocean. Find more campgrounds on the central oregon coast.
Be sure to bookmark this guide to the Otter Crest Loop so you can follow along on your trip. We’ll keep posting more scenic drives on the Oregon Coast as we discover new ones to share. Drive safely!
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