Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint

Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint
The viewpoint overlooks Face Rock, left
Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint is located in Oregon
Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint
Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint is located in the United States
Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint
TypePublic, state
LocationCoos County, Oregon
Nearest cityBandon
Coordinates43°06′24″N 124°26′05″W / 43.1067753°N 124.4348375°W / 43.1067753; -124.4348375[1]
Area14.84 acres (6.01 ha)
Created1934
Operated byOregon Parks and Recreation Department
VisitorsAbout 250,000 a year[2]
OpenYear-round

Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint is a state park in Bandon, Oregon, United States, administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. The rocks and tidal flats adjacent to the park form part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge.[2] More than 300 species of birds frequent the area.[3]

The viewpoint's name is derived from the off-shore rock island which has the likeness of a human face and is part of a Native American legend.[4]

The state acquired land over time for the 15-acre (6 ha) park, originally called Bandon Ocean Wayside. The initial land was a gift in 1934; the state bought additional acreage in 1961.[2]

Amenities include picnic tables, restrooms, a viewing scope, and a stairway and trail to the beach.[3] Slightly north of Face Rock is Coquille Point, with its own parking area, benches, and hiking trail within the only mainland fraction of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge.[3]

  1. ^ "Face Rock State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. May 22, 1986. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
  2. ^ a b c "Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint: Park History". Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
  3. ^ a b c Bannan, Jan (2002). Oregon State Parks: A Complete Recreation Guide (2nd ed.). Seattle: The Mountaineers Books. pp. 37–38. ISBN 0-89886-794-0.
  4. ^ "Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint: Park Info". Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Retrieved April 3, 2020.