Quick Guide to Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area
The Devils Punchbowl is one of the most impressive sights on the Oregon Coast. High tide fills this gaping pit in a broad sandstone headland with churning water. Low tide reveals piles of boulders that are testaments to the destructive force of pounding waves over time. It’s a place where the Pacific Ocean's power is both obvious and humbling. Most visitors leave after having a quick look at the viewpoint, missing the park’s beaches, tidepools, and wildlife. Whether you’re making a quick stop or spending the day, here is everything you need to know about visiting Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area.
The picnic tables have ocean views at Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area
Know before you go
Visiting Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area is free. You don’t need a pass or permit to park.
Devils Punchbowl has two public parking lots. One is at the end of 1st St and the other is on the corner of 2nd St and C Ave.
Park in designated public parking spots rather than on private property.
Look for the restroom building on the corner of 1st St and C Ave. It’s between the two parking lots.
Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area has a picnic area with ocean views next to the 1st St parking lot.
Dogs are welcome at Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area.
Fences along the walkways and viewpoints make them family-friendly.
The accessibility of this park isn’t great. There is a paved trail near the 1st St parking lot but its surface is somewhat irregular. Thick vegetation lines the fences along the trail, making them hard to see over. I have to stand on tiptoes to get a good view of the Devils Punchbowl from above. Accessible parking and restrooms.
Devils Punchbowl
Devils Punchbowl
The easiest way to see Devils Punchbowl is to park in the lot at the end of 1st St and walk toward the ocean until you reach the fence. Here, a viewpoint overlooks the Punchbowl from above. It looks most impressive at high tide since channels through the cliffs open up the ocean, allowing water to enter. Waves swirl and crash within its broad amphitheater. The higher the tide and more tumultuous the ocean, the more dramatic it will be. Depending on the light, the color of the water can be anywhere from gray to turquoise, contrasting with the orange streaks of weathered sandstone. In summer, look for wild roses and salal blooming in front of Devils Punchbowl viewpoint.
Wild roses bloom in front of Devils Punchbowl
Geologists think that the Devils Punchbowl formed when the roof of a sea cave collapsed, leaving behind an enormous hole in the coastline. Today, it’s about 85 feet across and 50 feet deep. The sandstone of the Punchbowl is softer than the basalt of nearby headlands like Cape Foulweather and Yaquina Head, eroding more easily. As you look over the Devils Punchbowl from above, you’ll be standing on an uplifted marine terrace that was once a shallow seafloor.
Upper Trail
Devils Punchbowl in profile
After seeing the Devils Punchbowl from above, follow the short (about 0.2-mile) paved trail around the picnic area. As you walk high above the crashing waves, you’ll see sandstone bluffs and cliffs where seabirds love to perch. Panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean surround you. To the north is an interesting side profile of Devils Punchbowl with Cape Foulweather looming behind. Looking south, you’ll see Beverly Beach and a distant Yaquina Head on a clear day. The trail is fenced, family-friendly, and doesn’t depend on the tide. Because of its elevation and far-reaching views, it’s the best place to watch for whales in Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area.
A short trail circles the picnic area
Otter Crest Beach
Otter Crest Beach and Cape Foulweather
Most visitors to Devils Punchbowl Natural Area stick around the top of the headland without exploring Otter Crest Beach and its excellent tidepool area. The beach access is a bit hidden. I visited Devils Punchbowl several times before I knew to look for it. Accessing Otter Crest Beach also depends on the tide and the weather. The trail to the beach closes when conditions are too dangerous. Low tide on a calm day is the best time to visit.
Mussels at Otter Crest Beach
If you visit around low tide, Otter Crest Beach is one of the most scenic and unusual beaches on the Oregon Coast. Just offshore, wave-cut platforms are habitats for intertidal life like anemones, sea stars, mussels, barnacles, and crabs. On the south end of the beach, you’ll see the cliffs of Devils Punchbowl from the side. If you visit at a very low tide (think zero or under on a tide table), you can enter the Devils Punchbowl through a couple of arches in the cliffs.
Enter the Devils Punchbowl
Inside the Devils Punchbowl
Hiking into the Devils Punchbowl is one of the coolest adventures on the Oregon Coast. To do it safely, you’ll need to pay attention to the timing of your visit. The Punchbowl is only accessible during a very low tide on a day when the ocean is calm. To explore it from below, head down C Ave and take the access trail to Otter Crest Beach. Turn left to walk south on the beach toward the cliffs. Pass through one of the arches to marvel at the walls of the Punchbowl from within. Take your time exploring. Rock piles and slick surfaces make the journey tricky at times.
Find details in my guide to entering the Devils Punchbowl.
Beverly Beach
Surfers at Beverly Beach
Beaches on the central Oregon Coast tend to be short, with many craggy headlands interrupting the sand. Beverly Beach is an exception. Because of its length, it has several access points. The main one is to the south at Beverly Beach State Park. The beach access at Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area connects to its northern end. This part of Beverly Beach has some protection from the wind, making it a favorite for surfers and picnickers. Surfers in particularly love this beach and I’ve always seen a ton of them on the water when I’ve gone. Look for the surf rental shop on 1st St if you want to try it out.
Beverly Beach
To find Beverly Beach, start from the parking lot on 1st St and head east for a block or two until you reach a long wooden staircase on the right side of the road. It leads to the beach.
Take this staircase to get down to the beach
Wildlife at Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area
Black oystercatchers perch on the cliffs
Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area is one of the best places to see wildlife on the Oregon Coast. Here is what to watch for while you’re there:
Seabirds like to perch on the cliffs and sea stacks. Look for pelicans, gulls, black oystercatchers, and common murres. I also saw a bald eagle there on my last visit.
The elevated overlooks at Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area are great whale-watching spots. Look for puffs of mist from blowholes out in the water. You might see whales at any time of year, but your best bet is during the winter (December-January) and spring (late March-June) gray whale migrations.
The best tidepools in the park are at Otter Crest Beach.
You might see seals or sea lions around the Devils Punchbowl. If you have very good binoculars, look for them lounging on Gull Rock, the long flat sea stack west of Devils Punchbowl.
Shore crab on Otter Crest Beach
Food and drink
Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area is set up for tourists. A small row of shops on 1st St offer drinks and snacks, mostly of the, “well I’m on vacation so just this once” variety. Cliffside Coffee and Sweets has coffee, ice cream cones, candy, and pastries. The sit-down restaurant is, inevitably, Mo’s Seafood & Chowder. Mo’s is a bit polarizing among locals, inspiring loyalty or eye rolls depending on who you ask. They have locations everywhere on the coast. I’ve never eaten there only because the vegetarian options are, well, no options, so I can’t weigh in either way. The views will be great if nothing else.
Patio at the Flying Dutchman Winery
The best-kept secret at Devils Punchbowl is the patio at Flying Dutchman Winery. The winery uses grapes from southern Oregon and the Columbia Valley to produce small-batch wines. They sell bottles, glasses, and tasting pours. The wine is decent and I recommend the Pinot blanc if you’re undecided, but the real draw here is the back patio. Hidden from view and strangely unadvertised, it has breathtaking views of the coast to the north. Watch the waves roll in on Otter Crest Beach and the birds fly overhead. I’ve seen bald eagles and pelicans while sitting here.
Pelican over Otter Crest Beach
Getting there
To reach the Devils Punchbowl from the north, take Highway 101 S until Otter Crest Loop, then take a right. Just after the turn, take a left to stay on Otter Crest Loop. After 0.2 miles, turn left onto 1st St. Continue until the end of the road to find the parking lot. The drive from Portland takes about 2.5 hours.
Coming from the south, take Highway 101 N. About 7 miles north of Newport, make a slight left onto Otter Crest Loop. In 0.4 miles, make a left onto 1st St. Look for the parking lot at the end of the road.
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