Become a Part of the Natural World

Cascade Head

Explore the unique and wild natural headland that towers above Lincoln City to the north, a combination of lush forests and coastal prairies that provide sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, coastline and Salmon River estuary. A part of Oregon’s only Biosphere Reserve, Cascade Head is home to massive Sitka spruce trees, black bear, cougar, various birds of prey, elk, and many other forest animals, and out to sea, migrating birds and gray whales are often visible. Two trails maintained by The Nature Conservancy and the US Forest Service wrap around the headlands and offer magnificent hiking opportunities. To help protect the wildlife of Cascade Head, removal of foliage, hunting, camping, fires, bicycles, and dogs are not allowed. Please visit the Hiking Page for more detailed information.

Drift Creek Falls

Take a hike along a three-mile out and back through ferns, alder and an old growth Douglas fir forest to Drift Creek Falls, which cascades 75 feet into Drift Creek Canyon, then crosses over a 240-foot suspension bridge and leads to the bottom of a beautiful waterfall. Drift Creek Falls is open year-round and requires a drive east of Lincoln City; follow signage south to Drift Creek Road off Highway 101 for two miles and go left on Forest Road 17. Follow the road for 10 miles to the trailhead, where there is day-use fee area parking, and restrooms. Please visit the Hiking Page for more detailed information.

Devils Lake

Walk, bike or drive slightly east from Lincoln City to the banks of Devil’s Lake, a six hundred- and eighty-five-acre freshwater lake that flows into the Pacific Ocean from the D River – one of the shortest rivers in the world. Although the lake is very close to the Pacific, the forest shelters the area from high winds that can blow in from the ocean and along the coast and allows for a variety of outdoor activities. There are five parks that afford access to various parts of the lake, providing outstanding spaces for picnicking, swimming, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding and hiking. Please visit the Devils Lake Page for more information.

Siletz Bay

Discover one of the most picturesque and tranquil places on the Oregon Coast with a day trip to Siletz Bay. Enter the bay through the Historic Taft District or the Cutler City Neighborhood. From the Taft parking lot, stroll along the bank of the bay and watch seabirds dip in and out of the rhythmic, crashing waves that roll in from the Pacific Ocean; listen to the barking harbor seals and sea lions basking themselves across the bay on the Salishan Spit. Try crabbing by throwing traps into the water on the bay-facing side of the beach just after low tide, or paddle or kayak out into the bay and head inland toward Schooner Creek to visit the Four Brothers rocks. Collect driftwood to build forts with the kids or to use them as seating around an evening bonfire that’s perfect for roasting hot dogs and s’mores. From the Cutler City Neighborhood, enter the mudflats on the south side of the bay to search for clams just after low tide. Please visit the Siletz Bay page for more information.

Open Spaces

Locate one of Lincoln City’s Open Space trails for a short hike or seek out all seven of these natural areas sprinkled throughout town. Lincoln City’s Open Spaces are easy to access, provide natural experiences within the city limits, and generally range from one-third of a mile to three miles. Most of the Open Space trails are designed for the whole family and are dog friendly. The Knoll

offers a moderately difficult three-mile trek, with a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean, Devil’s Lake, and Road’s End beach. Friends of Wildwood trail is a mostly flat and mellow one-mile hike through tall trees and over meandering streams. Spring Lake trail consists of a moderately difficult one-and-a-half-mile hike that circles this small lake. Regatta trail begins at the park and rambles a half-mile through old growth forest to end at a giant 400-year-old Sitka spruce tree. Agnes Creek has three easy trails (totaling a mile-and-a-half) that wind through western hemlock, Sitka spruce, and open forest lands. Spyglass Ridge has a one-and-a-quarter mile outside-loop trail, with interior trails that allow for a moderately difficult hike through this beautiful 73-acre wooded area. Cutler City Wetlands trails total one-and-a-quarter miles of mostly flat and easy paths that wrap around and zigzag through coastal forest and lowland marsh. Use this map to find all of the Open Space trails and visit the Open Space page for more information.

Local Parks and Other Natural Places

Find the perfect Lincoln City Park for whatever activity the day has in store. With playgrounds for the little kids, spacious lawns for sitting, playing, throwing a ball or frisbee and sunbathing, tables and grills for BBQs and picnics, area for swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding, basketball hoops, tennis and pickleball courts, terrain for skateboarding, and nature trails for hiking. Lincoln city has over a dozen parks that are perfectly situated and easily accessible. In addition to the city parks and Open Space trails, The Connie Hansen Garden Conservatory is a privately-owned garden that is open to the public every day from dawn to dusk. Stroll through pathways, surrounded by many kinds of flora and beautiful flowers, especially the many types of rhododendrons. Admission is free although donations are welcome, and plants and other items are available for purchase in the gift shop. Another great natural place to visit is the half-mile Alder Island Natural Trail that meanders through the Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge, and winds along the Siletz River, passing through forest and marshland. This flat and easy hike is accessible year-round and offers amazing sights where the river empties into the Pacific Ocean. Please visit the hiking hotspots page for more information.