Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint is a beautiful area located in Oregon that offers visitors many reasons to visit.


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Summary

The park, which covers approximately 280 acres, features a stunning beach, towering cliffs, and scenic views of the Pacific Ocean. Visitors can enjoy hiking, picnicking, beachcombing, and wildlife watching in the stunning natural surroundings.

One of the most notable points of interest at the Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint is the impressive rock formations that dot the coastline. The park's namesake, Face Rock, is a towering monolith that resembles the face of an ancient sea captain. Other notable formations include Elephant Rock, Cat and Kittens Rocks, and Devil's Kitchen.

Visitors can also explore the park's extensive network of hiking trails, which provide stunning views of the coastline and surrounding wilderness. These trails range from easy to challenging, and hikers can choose to explore the park on foot or by bike.

Interesting facts about Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint include its rich history as a site of Native American legends and lore. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including seals, sea lions, and bald eagles.

The best time of year to visit Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint is during the summer months, when the weather is mild and the park is at its busiest. However, visitors should be prepared for crowds and should plan to arrive early in the day to secure a parking spot.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
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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