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Sandy beach
Yes
Hike-in Required
No
Surfing
No
Snorkeling / SCUBA
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

The 174-acre Harris Beach is a popular destination with an annual day-use attendance of more than 930,000 visitors. Considering that the nearby city of Brookings, Oregon, has a population of just more than 6,000 residents, this beach draws visitors from a large area—and for good reason.

Harris Beach is the location of the largest island off the Oregon coast: Bird Island (also called Goat Island). The island is a National Wildlife Sanctuary, where rare birds such as the tufted puffin breed. Harris Beach also features rocky shores that provide panoramic views up and down the coastline, tide pools with a variety of life and numerous sea stacks just off shore. Wildlife viewing opportunities are also plentiful: in addition to harbor seals and California sea lions, you may see gray whales migrating along this coastal area in the winter and spring.

Harris Beach is named after George Harris, a Scottish pioneer who settled the location in the late 1880s. He used the land to raise sheep and cattle.

Logistics + Planning

Congestion

High

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Easy access. Amenities at the parking lot. Panoramic view.

Cons

Crowded. Limited parking.

Features

Fishing
Picnic tables
Tide pools
Wildlife
Whale watching
Tide pools

Location

Nearby Adventures

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Southern Oregon Coast + Rogue River, Oregon
Southern Oregon Coast + Rogue River, Oregon
Ludlum House Recreation Area

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A profound concept originally envisioned by governor Oswald West, in 1967 the Oregon legislature ultimately realized his vision of making the entire Oregon Coast forever open to the public in a piece of landmark legislation titled the Oregon Beach Bill, officially making all 363 miles public land. "The People's Coast" is truly a one-of-a-kind coastline, a unique blend of mountains and rocky stacks, towering old growth forests, marine sanctuaries, tide pools and kelp forests, charming towns, historic fishing communities, world-class golfing, breweries, and simply jaw-dropping scenic beaches. We encourage you to plan your next trip at visittheoregoncoast.com or by calling (541) 574-2679.

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