Open Source Photographic Guide Project
These guides are created as part of the Open Source Photographic Guide Project.
To see more guides, please go to the USA - Oregon regional site.
Introduction
Yachats, Oregon, (pronounced Yah-hots) is a small, very relaxed, coastal town on the central Oregon coast.Special Photographic Features or Notes
Interactive Map
This map highlights the main areas in the town of Yachats. Please use the interactive map (use the links on the left of the map to make sure you see everything - the default zoom does not show all the highlighted areas on the map) for more detailed information. |
| Click here for interactive map |
Seal Rock
Seal Rock State Park is about twenty minutes north of Yachats. There are some impressive off shore rock formations as well as the large Elephant Rock (seen to the right in the image below). Low tides expose quite a few tidepools around the off shore rocks. The park is only open for day use but a pull out on Highway 101 just south of the park (right in front of the off shore rocks). |
| Elephant Rock (Brian Chapman, 2006) |
Yachats Town Center and Parks
There are three parks within walking distance of the center of town - Smelt Sands State Park, Yachats State Park, and Yachats Ocean Road State Park. I almost always return to these three areas every time I visit Yachats.From the north end of Smelt Sands State Park you can walk along a coastal trail or climb along the rocks for half a mile or so.
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| Smelt Sands (Brian Chapman, 2008) |
The Yachats State Park is closest to the center of town - just follow the road behind the Yachats Village Market. Take a left at the end of the road to get to the parking lot. There is a stairway down to the beach/rocks but if you walk further north along the road you will find an excellent viewpoint (image below.)
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| Yachats State Park (Brian Chapman, 2007) |
Cape Perpetua
Photo coming soon...until then - Cape Perpetua Scenic Area.Stonefield Beach State Park
Continuing south of Cape Perpetua you'll find several labeled beaches including Stonefield Beach State Park. The park is accessible from both sides of a bridge - the lot furthest to the north is not marked. Don't forget to check out the area between the road and the parking lots (particularly along the creek). |
| Stonefield Wayside (Brian Chapman, 2007) |
National Forest Logging
Despite what looks like a pristine ocean setting only a few hundred yards inland lies the Siuslaw National Forest which in the area between Yachats and Cape Perpetua is currently being logged. Many of the roads in the logging area are paved and therefore accessible by most cars but frequently the roads are littered with debris after any type of wind storm. The placemark 'Access to Logging Areas' on the interactive map provides some more information. |
| Siuslaw National Forest (Brian Chapman, 2006) |
Special Equipment
I always carry some type of water protection for my camera as well as some additional cleaning cloths for the lens(es).Tidal Information
The terrain is so varied in the Yachats area that I don't normally plan visits around the tides however if you are looking for something specific - like tide pools - then you would want to review the tide charts before going.Be extremely cautious along the rocky coastline - some of the places you'll probably want to set up a tripod are also the most likely to be hit by a surprise attack from a big swell. I've been completely dry one second and up to my knees in water the next so keep one eye on the water at all times!
Tidal information is available from TidesOnline.com
Wind Information
Generally there is some amount of offshore breeze which, if you're near the water or splashing waves, will blow at least some sea-spray on to you and/or your camera if you don't protect it. Winter storms can be visually impressive but be prepared to shield your equipment from all directions.Weather information for Yachats, Oregon.
Night Photography
I've been to Yachats many times and have learned to come prepared to take advantage of whatever opportunities the ever changing weather provides. In the course of a single night it's possible to have thick low clouds, high clouds, clear skies, partial cloud cover, fog, etc, and then combine that with whatever light the moon provides and as long as you're ready for all those events you'll have a great time.This image was taken on a clear night (opposite the original forecast) with no light from the moon. The lights from the hotels on shore provided enough light to take some high ISO exposures of the crashing waves.
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| Crashing Waves (Brian Chapman, 2008) |
This image was taken at the south end of Smelt Sands State Park just north of the Adobe Resort. The tide was really low which provided a good opportunity to reach some of the rocks off shore. This is one of the cases where I was caught off guard by a few sneaker waves and had to grab my eqiupment and run!
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| Glow (Brian Chapman, 2008) |
Getting there
There is only one road (Highway 101) that runs north and south along the coast so the only decision to be made is how much time you have. The more time spent on Highway 101 along the coast the longer the trip will be. If you have the extra time by all means take the slow route. Highway 101 through Northern California and Oregon is one of the most beautiful drives in the USA.Yachats is about 30 minutes from both Newport (Oregon Coast Aquarium) to the north and Florence (Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area) to the south. Yachats is about a three and a half hour drive from Portland, Oregon, and about a seven hour drive from Seattle, Washington.
Enjoy!
Rob Hudson
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Most enjoyable.