Local Activities
There are a lot of activities around Brookings ... from combing the beaches of the Southern Oregon Coast to exploring the Siskiyou forest and Pacific Bike Trail. And the Moosehead puts you in the center of everything -- so all the distances mentioned below are from our front door.
Miles of Scenic Beaches
The Brookings area offers some of the most scenic and uncrowded beaches in Oregon. You can ...
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Walk on the BeachUse our local path to access the Winchuck Estuary and walk on 5+ miles of scenic and uncrowded beaches. You can walk north to McVay Rock State Park, use a trail from the US 101 just across the Winchuck River bridge (0.4 miles) to access the Crissey Field State Park or visit the nearby Pelican Bay California State Park (1.4 miles). You can also wade across the Winchuck River in the summer when the river flow is down to get to the other side of the beach. See our local beach access maps for more info.
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Explore Tide PoolsExplore the local tide pools at low tide to see starfish, crabs, sea anemones and sea urchins. These change with the tides and seasons every year. Good places include Harris Beach State Park tide pools (photo), the Samuel H. Boardman State Park tide pools (photo), and our own Winchuck Beach (north of the estuary). Make sure to check the local tide tables or tide clock in the Moosehead dining room. (Note: Brooking's tides occur 30 minutes earlier than listed.)
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Collect Driftwood & Go Kite FlyingIn Oregon, you are permitted to collect driftwood by hand for personal use from beaches. Good places to go fly a kite include Winchuck Beach and Estuary, Brookings Harbor, and Harris Beach State Park (photo). |
Spectacular Wildlife Viewing
Our local beaches, parks and National Forest are great places to see a variety of coastal, marine, and woodland wildlife.
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View Coastal WildlifeWatch gray whales, seals, otters, pelicans, sea gulls, puffins, sanderlings ducks and wild geese along the coast or in our local State Beaches & Parks.
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Watch Whale MigrationsYou can also watch whale migrations (Mar/April & December) from shore at Sporthaven Beach, Brookings Harbor, Harris Beach State Park and Samuel H. Boardman State Park (photo). Or you can join a boat charter (Tidewind Sportfishing, Brookings at 800-799-0337).
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Glimpse Forest WildlifeGood places to see other native and migrating wildlife include the Klamath River, Azalea Park (6 miles), the Myrtlewood Grove (12 miles) within the Alfred A Loeb State Park (photo), our local Siskiyou National Forest (photo) and the Redwoods at Jedediah Smith State Park (18 miles) and For more info, visit the Oregon DFW - Wildlife Viewing. |
Outdoor Sports
With some of the best weather along the Oregon Coast, you can enjoy many outdoor activities. These include ...
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GolfingOur local Salmon Run is a championship 18 hole golf course with scenic views and a signature 4th hole.
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Horseback RidingYou can go riding on the beach (21 miles) or in the Siskiyou National Forest.
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KayakingYou can rent a kayak in Brookings and go ocean kayaking or spend the day exploring the Chetco, Rouge and Smith rivers. (Note: You can also kayak on the Winchuck River but the ground under and beside the water flow is privately owned.)
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BicyclingYou can bike the Oregon Coast, or visit Brookings Harbor which is an easy 5 mile ride along Ocean View Drive from the Lodge. Or go exploring along the Winchuck and Chetco Rivers. US Hwy 101 is part of the Pacific Coast Bicycle Route from Canada to Mexico. There are a lot of hills to peddle up and then coast down as well as camping sites. However, the Pelican Bay area from Brookings in the north to Crescent City in the south is relatively flat with many alternative local byways to peddle past lily fields, dairy farms, the Redwood forests (Jedediah Smith State Park) and along the coast in the Crescent City area.
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Hiking & Mountain BikingYou can spend the day mountain biking in the Siskiyou National Forest or hiking the local wilderness and state park trails along the Winchuck River Valley, in Alfred A Loeb State Park and in the Siskiyou National Forest.
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WindsurfingYou can windsurf on the Pistol River or go surfing at Sporthaven Beach at Brookings Harbor and Harris Beach State Park. Rental equipment is available at Sessions Surf Company (541) 412-0810.
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Berry Picking & Mushroom HuntingIn the Fall season, pick our local wild blackberries or go mushrooming with an experienced guide. |
Explore Brookings Harbor
The Brookings Harbor has a boat basin for commercial, life aboard and recreational craft. Some commercial fishermen sell their catch (Dungeness crab in the winter and Albacore Tuna) to the public. There is also a U.S. Coast Guard Station. A chandlery provides boat parts and other nautical items. Boat ramps are provided for launching and retrieving your own seaworthy craft as well as daily boat trailer parking. A fresh water boat wash station is also provided.
There is beach front parking next to the sand and ocean waves; two rock jetties along the harbor entrance provide fishing and exploring. The beach front trailer park can accommodate small and large RV's and several motels can provide overnight accommodations. Harbor cafes and restaurants sell prepared food, drink and entertainment. During the summer the Farmer's Market provides fresh food and personal items. Other small shops sell clothing and souvenirs year round.
Great Ocean and River Fishing
Brookings offers great ocean for Rockfish and Salmon out of Brookings Harbor (5 miles).
You can also go river fishing on the Winchuck (two blocks from our door), the Chetco (5 miles photo), and Smith (5 miles) Rivers. Party boats, local guides and drift boat rentals available. Ocean perch are in the surf near the Winchuck River.
For more information about fishing seasons, licenses and other details, please visit the official state sites for Oregon State Fishing and California State Fishing.
These related links are also good sources of information:
- Fall King Salmon
- Winter Steelhead
- Spring Chinook Salmon on the Rouge
- Fly Fishing For Summer Steelhead
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife - Fishing Resources
- Sport Shell fishing Regulations
- Fish Oregon site with lots of links to fishing trip information, fishing and hunting guides and related links
- Surf Fishing for perch (ifish blog)
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