Buena Vista Ocean Wayside State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Buena Vista Ocean Wayside State Park is a small park located in Lincoln County, Oregon.
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Summary
The park offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and is a popular destination for beachcombing, picnicking, and fishing. Visitors can explore the park's tide pools, which are home to a variety of marine life, including sea anemones, starfish, and crabs. The park also features a small picnic area with tables and a restroom.
One of the main attractions of Buena Vista Ocean Wayside State Park is its beautiful beach, which stretches for miles and is perfect for walking, jogging, or simply relaxing. The beach is also a popular spot for kite flying and surfing. Another point of interest in the park is the Buena Vista House, which is a historic home that was built in the 1880s and has been restored to its original condition.
Interesting facts about Buena Vista Ocean Wayside State Park include the fact that it was originally home to the Siletz Indian Tribe, who used the area for fishing and hunting. The park was established in 1964 and was named after the nearby Buena Vista Peak, which offers stunning views of the surrounding area. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including sea lions, whales, and bald eagles.
The best time of year to visit Buena Vista Ocean Wayside State Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and sunny. However, visitors should be prepared for crowds, as the park can get busy during peak season. The park is open year-round, but some facilities may be closed during the winter months. Visitors should check the park's website or contact the park rangers for more information.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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