Port Orford Heads State Park

Perched on a dramatic headland above the Pacific, Port Orford Heads State Park offers some of the most striking coastal views on Oregon’s South Coast. The park sits on a rocky promontory that juts into the ocean just north of the town of Port Orford, providing sweeping panoramas of the coastline, Humbug Mountain to the south, and the open Pacific stretching to the horizon.

The headland has a rich maritime history — it once served as a Coast Guard lifeboat station, and the restored station building now houses an interpretive center where visitors can learn about the dangerous rescue operations that took place in these waters. The trail from the parking area to the headland viewpoint is an easy half-mile walk through coastal forest, making it accessible for most visitors.

Whale watching is a highlight here, particularly during the gray whale migration from December through June. The elevated vantage point makes it one of the best spots on the southern Oregon coast for spotting spouts and breaches. Birders will find the headland productive as well, with pelagic species, bald eagles, and seabirds frequenting the cliffs.

Port Orford Heads is a day-use park without camping facilities, but nearby Humbug Mountain State Park and Cape Blanco State Park both offer developed campgrounds within a short drive.

Visit in late spring or early fall for the clearest skies and mildest weather. Summer brings fog, but also the best chance of calm seas and wildlife activity along the bluffs.

Explore Nearby

• Cape Blanco Light — Lighthouse in Oregon
• New River Area of Critical Environmental Concern — Public Land in Oregon
• White Wild and Scenic River — Public Land in Oregon
• Coquille River Light — Lighthouse in Oregon
• Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest — National Forest in Oregon, California