Fogarty Creek State Recreation Area

Fogarty Creek State Recreation Area is a coastal park between Lincoln City and Depoe Bay spanning around 165 acres along the Pacific Ocean. The grounds feature wooden footbridges, rocky cliffs, and covered picnic shelters throughout the property.

The park acquired its lands across several decades starting in the 1950s as Oregon expanded its public recreation system. Its name honors John Fogarty, an Irish immigrant who served as a judge in Lincoln County.

The park reflects Oregon's commitment to keeping beaches open to the public, a principle established through state law decades ago. Visitors experience this openness today when they walk freely along the coastline without barriers or restrictions.

Access the area through two entrances on Highway 101 without needing a parking pass. Picnic tables and covered shelters are scattered throughout, making visits comfortable regardless of weather.

The creek flows into the Pacific and forms protected tide pools among natural rock formations. These pools let visitors closely observe marine creatures and experience coastal geology firsthand.