Cape Perpetua Scenic Area

One of the discoveries we made near Florence was the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area.  Cape Perpetua towers more than 800 feet over the protected Marine Garden Shoreline and is the highest viewpoint accessible by car on the Oregon Coast.  The views are fantastic (providing it isn’t overcast). We did have a couple of clear afternoons with great views up and down the coast. One afternoon we enjoyed observing several gray whales lingering just off shore. 

View from top of St. Perpetua Trail

Early explorer Captain Cook observed this headland in 1778 and named it after Saint Perpetua.  The Civilian Conservation Corps had a base camp here in 1933 and many of the trails, campgrounds and plantings are the work of the young men of the CCC.

We spent four days hiking trails in the area and visiting the beaches, tide pools and Native American shell middens.  The Visitor Center at Cape Perpetua had many ranger-led programs and hikes.  It was great to see so many young, beginning ‘Forest Rangers’ interacting with the visitors.  I was also impressed with the number of volunteers. Like the Tillamook Forest Visitor Center, the Cape Perpetua Visitor Center is well worth a few visits.

David and Maya on fern lined Cook's Ridge Trail