Updated April 29, 2024
Between Newport and Yachats on the central coast, Waldport often gets overlooked. There are no major tourist attractions, no hip, trendy restaurants, boutiques or luxury hotels.
What you will find, however, is a low-key coastal town with ample opportunities for outdoor adventures located at the edge of the Siuslaw National Forest, where the Alsea River meets the bay.
Read on to find more things to do in Waldport, Oregon and other helpful travel tips.
This page may contain affiliate links where we earn a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Our suggestions are based on our own experience and thorough research. Full disclosure.
Contents
- Where is Waldport, Oregon?
- Transportation to Waldport
- About Waldport
- Things to Do in Waldport and Seal Rock
- Places to Stay Near Waldport
Hotels
Vacation Rentals
Campgrounds - Best Restaurants and Dining in Waldport
- Weather in Waldport, Oregon
- Tide Charts for Waldport, Oregon
- Annual Events and Festivals in Waldport
Where is Waldport, Oregon?
Waldport is located on the central Oregon Coast in Lincoln County, about 2 hours and 45 minutes driving from Portland (147 miles).
The most direct route from Portland is I-5 south to Albany, then Highway 20 west to Newport. An alternative is to pass Albany and take the 34 west to Corvallis, then meet up with Highway 20 west. Check your navigation to see which route is faster.
From Newport, drive south along the coast down Highway 101 about 20 minutes to Waldport. It’s an easy add-on if you’re already spending the weekend in the central coast area and could even work as a day trip from Portland.
Transportation to Waldport
Driving is the easiest and fastest way to get to Waldport. For air, bus, train and car rental information, see Transportation to the Oregon Coast.
🚗 Search for rental cars and find the best deals on cars at RentalCars.com.
About Waldport, Oregon
The Alsea River and bay area was once home to the Alsea (Alsi, Alseya) people before white settlers began arriving in the mid-to-late 1800s. By the early 1900s, only 29 members of the Alsea tribe remained at the Siletz reservation along with many other surviving natives from other tribes who were forcibly relocated. For more about Oregon native history in this area, see the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians.
The town was incorporated in 1911 with about 150 residents, many of them German (“wald” means forest or trees in German). Today, Waldport has a population of about 2,000 residents.
Top Things to Do in Waldport, Oregon
Explore the Alsea River and Bay
The Alsea River and Bay offer excellent fall fishing and are also an important salmon habitat for coho, steelhead and cutthroat trout among other species. See the ODFW recreation report for updated information about salmon runs and fishing licenses and regulations.
Alsea Bay Estuary is a protected area for Brown Pelican, Caspian Tern and many other shorebirds and waterfowl. Paddle the Alsea River Water Trail, a 10-mile route along the Alsea River, Drift Creek and Lint Slough for some of the best birdwatching and wildlife spotting on the Oregon Coast including herons, egrets, mallards, hawks, bald eagles, seals and river otters.
Access the bay at the Port of Alsea dock in Waldport. Be mindful of the tide schedule— Oregon’s coastal rivers have strong tidal changes so make sure you are going with the tide and not fighting against it. Also, the water level drops to expose mud flats in some areas during low tide. Low tide is a good time for clamming in Alsea Bay.
Cross the Alsea Bay Bridge
The graceful arch of the Alsea Bay Bridge welcomes you to Waldport, spanning nearly 3,000 feet across Alsea Bay with panoramic views of the town, river, bay and coastal homes of the Bayshore neighborhood.
The first Alsea Bay Bridge was designed by Conde McCullough and built in 1936, but the steel reinforcements could not withstand the exposure to the elements and the bridge had to be replaced in 1991.
There is a dedicated pedestrian path for walking across the bridge, just be prepared for some strong winds.
Learn more at the Alsea Bay Historic Interpretive Center and Waldport Heritage Museum located at the foot of the bridge.
Comb the Quiet Beaches Near Waldport
Governor Patterson Memorial State Recreation Site is a long stretch of flat, sandy beach near the mouth of the bay perfect for dog walks. The day-use area has restrooms, picnic tables, ample parking and easy beach access.
Driftwood Beach State Recreation Site is a quiet beach north of Waldport great for agate hunting and long walks. Despite the name, there is reportedly not a lot of driftwood at this beach. There are restrooms and picnic tables scattered throughout the park, plus ample parking.
Brian Booth State Park is made up of two separate areas connected by Beaver Creek: Ona Beach day-use area is for beach access and Beaver Creek State Natural Area is further inland. Beaver Creek is a good place to kayak with an easy-access kayak launch, parking lot and restroom.
Visit Seal Rock State Recreation Site
Seal Rock State Recreation Site is known for its large rock formations including Elephant Rock and Castle Rock. These rocks provide a habitat for seals, sea lions and many seabirds.
Visit at low tide to see the abundant marine life in the tide pools and comb the sandy beach for agates.
The short trail to the beach from the day-use area is somewhat steep but there is an ADA accessible viewpoint as well as restrooms, picnic tables and a large parking lot.
The small unincorporated beachside community of Seal Rock is about 5 miles north of Waldport. There are a few local art galleries, shops and restaurants here along Highway 101.
Play a Round of Golf
Disc golfers can play a challenging, hilly and winding 18-hole course through the Sitka forest at the Red River Disc Golf Course, just north of Woodland Park. The Crestline Woodland Park hiking trail is also nearby. For traditional ball golf, Crestview Golf Course is a 9-hole public course.
Watch the White Wolves
White Wolf Sanctuary is located about ten miles inland from Waldport off highway 34, which follows the Alsea River into the Siuslaw National Forest. Learn about wolves and get a guided tour of the sanctuary to see them in their habitats.
Find more things to do on the Oregon Coast and browse by activity.
You may also be interested in exploring nearby activities and attractions in Newport, Oregon and the charming small town of Yachats.
Hike in the Siuslaw National Forest
Drift Creek Wilderness is about 7 miles north of Waldport in the Siuslaw National Forest, where some of the Oregon Coast Range’s largest old-growth trees tower over clear streams and lush ferns.
Wildlife spotting includes elk, black bears, owls, woodpeckers, bald eagles, banana slugs and many other woodland creatures. The Horse Creek Trail and Harris Ranch Trailheads are located in the Drift Creek Wilderness, see the US Forest Service maps for details.
🥾 For more on hiking trails in nearby areas, see our guide to the best day hikes on the Oregon Coast.
Places to Stay in Waldport, Oregon
Here are a few of the best places to stay in Waldport including hotels, motels and private vacation rental homes. We try to include a mix of lodging options for every budget and type of traveler, whether you are traveling solo, with pets, as a couple, a whole family with kids or a group of friends.
Campgrounds and RV Parks Near Waldport and Seal Rock
Tillicum Beach Campground is a U.S. Forest Service park featuring campsites with beachfront views. Located 5 miles south of Waldport, off Highway 101 on the west side, the campground includes a day-use area for surfing, swimming, beach combing and whale watching.
Beachside State Recreation Site is a small Oregon Coast campground only open seasonally March 15 – Oct. 31, weather permitting. Located about 3 miles south of Waldport, this popular spot is sandwiched between Highway 101 and the beach, and every campsite is just a stone’s throw from the sand (if you can manage to get a spot here).
🌲 For more camping information, see our full guide to Oregon State Park campgrounds on the coast.
Other privately owned RV parks near Waldport include McKinley’s Marina & RV Park and Seal Rocks RV Cove.
🚐 There are several privately owned RV parks and campgrounds along the Oregon Coast off Highway 101. Services and facilities can vary widely, so be sure to check reviews on Google Maps or use a trusted trip-planning app like RV Life to read unbiased reviews of campgrounds by other RVers Try it free!
Best Restaurants and Dining in Waldport and Seal Rock
🍞 Pacific Sourdough in Waldport is a popular hometown bakery with limited hours and a line out the door. Be prepared to wait, but the rewards are worth it.
Hilltop Cafe and Bistro is one of the more popular restaurants in Waldport and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner entrees including seafood, steak and pasta.
Luna Sea Fish House in Seal Rock is the spot for fish n’ chips, clam chowder and fish tacos (there is also one in Yachats).
🍴 For more of the best restaurants on the Oregon Coast, see our dining guide.
Weather in Waldport, Oregon
The weather in Waldport is generally the same as other areas of the Oregon Coast– cool (50s-60s F) and damp with frequent rain throughout the year, with the exception of July and August.
Temperatures rarely get too hot in summer with highs in the 60s-70s. Lows dip down into the 30s in winter but snow is rare. Spring and Autumn are a mix of sunny and rainy days.
Wondering what to pack for the Oregon Coast? The beaches are usually breezy and cool. It’s a good idea to wear layers and bring rain gear. See our guide on what to wear to the Oregon Coast for a free downloadable packing list and more details.
Tide Charts for Waldport and the Oregon Coast
There are two low tides and two high tides every day on Oregon’s coast. Low tide is the time for beachcombing, clamming, tide pools and cave exploration.
For your safety, be aware of the tide schedule before boating or heading out to beaches and always keep an eye on the water level. Use extreme caution in rocky areas near the water, where sneaker waves can (and do) strike.
🌊 Check tide tables or ask at state park offices, local visitor information centers and many stores and hotels for a free tide table booklet.
🦀 See our complete guide to the best tide pools on the Oregon Coast to find tide pools near Waldport.
Annual Events and Festivals in Waldport, Oregon
Looking for more fun things to do in Waldport? Here are the major events held annually to help you plan your trip.
May – Waldport Oregon Coast Gravel Epic bike race
Beach, Bike & Blues Festival in Waldport
June – Beachcomber Days Festival in Waldport
For more details and events, see Waldport Oregon Chamber of Commerce.
👉 See more events on the Oregon Coast.
Taking a road trip? From Waldport, drive 25 minutes north to Newport, or head 15 minutes south to Yachats to continue exploring Oregon Coast towns.
