Updated: April 11, 2024
The “Gem of the Oregon Coast,” Yachats (pronounced YAH-hots) truly does stand out as one of the most picturesque coastal towns to visit in Oregon. Here, you can watch white-capped waves splash over the rugged, black rocks of Devil’s Churn, Spouting Horn and Thor’s Well while majestic Cape Perpetua towers above in the mist.
Find the best things to do in Yachats including where to eat and stay plus more travel suggestions to help you plan your trip to this spectacular section of Oregon’s coastline.
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Where is Yachats, Oregon?
Yachats is located on the central Oregon Coast in Lincoln County, about 3 hours driving from Portland (150 miles). One route is to take I-5 south to highway 20 west to Newport, then head south on highway 101.
If there are delays on the Interstate, an alternative route is 99W to highway 18 west. Then take 101 south at the Otis junction, north of Lincoln City.
It’s a bit of a drive, but it could work out as a day trip from Portland or an ideal weekend getaway.
Transportation to Yachats, Oregon
Driving is the easiest and fastest way to get to Yachats. For air, bus, train, car and camper rental information, see Transportation to the Oregon Coast.
🚗 Save up to 70% on your next car rental through DiscoverCars.
About Yachats, Oregon
The town’s name comes from the Siletz Indian word for “dark water at the foot of the mountain,” aptly describing the rocky black basalt coastline. There is also a dark history attached to this land.
Yachats was the location of the Alsea Sub-Agency internment camp, where members of the Coos, Coquilles, Lower Umpqua, Alsea, Siuslaw and other coastal tribes were forced to march on Oregon’s trail of tears that resulted in many deaths and terrible suffering. Today, Amanda’s Trail is named in honor of a blind Coos woman with a particularly sad story (see details below).
By 1875, the camp was dismantled and the city of Oceanview was created by white settlers on the site. In 1917, the city renamed itself Yachats and became a tourist destination known for its natural, rugged beauty. Today, the population of Yachats remains small, at about 700 residents.
Top Things to Do in Yachats, Oregon
Explore Cape Perpetua Scenic Area
About 3 miles south of Yachats, a steep headland projects into the ocean, forming the highest point accessible by car on the entire coast at 800 feet above sea level.
The Cape Perpetua Scenic Area is the main attraction near Yachats and includes 26 miles of trails and over 2,700 acres of coastal rainforest.
Guided walks are available with whale watching during the winter and spring migrations.
See Cape Perpetua Scenic Area for more maps and information. The Visitor Center is open seven days a week, except in winter.
See Thor’s Well, Spouting Horn, Cook’s Chasm and Devil’s Churn
The rugged, black Basalt rock coastline makes for some impressive waterspouts and peculiar ocean behavior on the coast near Yachats. Watch for pullouts along highway 101 and park in the designated lots.
The Captain Cook Trail is an easy half-mile walking loop that takes you to Thor’s Well, Spouting Horn and the tide pool area. Thor’s well is a collapsed sea cave that now attracts its share of photographers seeking the perfect shot of spouting sea-sprays and capturing the drain-like effect of the water emptying back down through the bowl.
Hike Amanda's Trail
Amanda’s Trail is a memorial hiking trail with a heartbreaking history. Around 1860, the “trail of tears,” or forced relocation marches of Oregon’s coastal native tribes began.
The story as recounted in military journals tells of Amanda De Cuys, a blind native Coos woman who was separated from her daughter, captured and forced to march 80 miles up the rugged coastline to the Alsea Sub-Agency internment camp at Yachats.
When they reached the sharp basalt shoreline near Cape Perpetua, Amanda’s bare feet were cut by the rocks, leaving a trail of blood “sufficient to track her by,” according to a journal written by a U.S. military corporal.
Hike Amanda’s Trail to visit the memorial statue site. A new 142-foot suspension bridge on the trail was completed in 2022 after a 5-month closure.
🥾 For more hiking trails, see our guide to day hikes on the Oregon Coast.
Take a Walk by the Sea
Yachats State Recreation Area is a day-use area located right in town. A nice accessible viewing platform provides the perfect spot to watch for whales.
Smelt Sands State Recreation Site doesn’t actually have much sand, but you will find tiny agates and tide pools along the rocky coast with access to the 804 walking trail that follows the scenic shoreline.
Neptune State Scenic Viewpoint is a lesser-known beach park with a bridge over a creek, a sea cave and tide pools good for beachcombing and finding agates.
👉 Find more of the best beaches for rockhounding and agate hunting.
Drive Out to a Covered Bridge
Looking for a scenic drive near the coast? About 9 miles west of town on Yachats River Road, you’ll find the picturesque North Fork Yachats River Covered Bridge, built in 1938.
🍁 For more covered bridges, see Things to do in Fall at the Oregon Coast.
Stroll Through the Town of Yachats
Yachats is small and walkable, with a variety of restaurants, trinket shops, antique stores and galleries featuring local artists. From May-September, visit the local farmers market on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at highway 101 and 4th street near Commons Park.
Places to Stay in Yachats, Oregon
Campgrounds and RV Parks Near Yachats, Oregon
Tillicum Beach Campground, about 4 miles north of Yachats, is a U.S. Forest Service Park that has campsites with beachfront views. The place is understandably popular, so grab a site well in advance if you can.
Cape Perpetua Campground is a small, quiet park that sits alongside Cape Creek and is conveniently located near the Visitor Center, trailheads and ocean attractions (about 3 miles from town).
Beachside State Recreation Site is a small state park campground only open seasonally March 15 – Oct. 31, weather permitting. Located about 10 minutes north of Yachats, 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 on camping, see our full guide to State Park campgrounds on the Oregon Coast.
🚐 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!
Restaurants and Dining in Yachats, Oregon
Update: As of April 11, 2024, Yachats Brewing + Farm Store is listed as temporarily closed.
Beach Street Kitchen serves breakfast all day and offers a variety of sandwiches, paninis, burritos, tacos and more.
Bread & Roses Bakery makes fresh breads, pastries and pizza with local, organic flour. Go early for the best selection!
Luna Sea Fish House is the spot for crispy fried fish n’ chips and a comforting bowl of chowder.
For casual upscale lunch and dinner, Ona Restaurant and Lounge serves locally sourced, fresh seafood and gourmet Wagyu burgers. Reservations recommended, walk-ins welcome.
The Drift Inn serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily with nightly live music. There are also room rentals at the inn.
🍴 See our complete restaurant guide for more of the best places to eat on the Oregon Coast.
🍺 Find local craft beer in our guide to Oregon Coast breweries.
Weather in Yachats, Oregon
The weather in Yachats is generally 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.
🤷♀️ Not sure what to pack for your trip to 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 Yachats 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, rockhounding, tide pools and cave exploration.
For wave attractions like Devil’s Churn, Spouting Horn and Thor’s Well, you’ll generally see more action at high tide and during king tides and storms when waves are taller. Use extreme caution in this region, especially in rocky areas near the water. These rocks are sharp, slippery and sneaker waves strike unexpectedly in Yachats and other parts of the Oregon Coast.
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.
🌊 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 guide to the best Oregon Coast tide pools to find tide pool areas near Yachats.
Annual Events and Festivals in Yachats, Oregon
Looking for more fun things to do in Yachats? Here’s a list of major events to help you plan your trip.
March– Yachats Arts and Crafts Fair
June – Yachats Pride
July – La De Da Parade and July 4th festivities in Yachats
September – Oktoberfest, Yachats, Oregon
October – Yachats Mushroom Festival
November – Yachats Celtic Music Festival
December – Village Christmas Tree Lighting in Yachats
For more details and events, visit Yachats.org
👉 See our calendar for more events on the Oregon Coast.
Taking a road trip? From Yachats, drive 15 minutes north to Waldport, or 35 minutes south to Florence to continue exploring Oregon Coast towns.
