Battle Rock Park

In 2001, Port Orford celebrated its 150th birthday, making it the oldest incorporated city in Oregon. The beginnings of Port Orford took place at Battle Rock where Captain Tichenor landed with his soldiers to establish a settlement.

Today Battle Rock welcomes visitors from around the world. Did you know that the Orford Reefs host the 2nd largest Stellar sea lion rookery? That our kelp beds are among the largest on the Pacific Coast? These and other interesting facts can be found at the Visitor's Center at the south end of Battle Rock Park. In addition to racks of free information, there are interpretive signs at the Battle Rock Wayfinding Point that describe some of the local history. Twice a year, at this location, trained volunteers teach whale watching as thousands of gray whales, some as large as 45 feet, feed near shore during summer and fall migration. Orcas, or killer whales, have been spotted near Port Orford.

Fun fact: In 1990, 60,000 pairs of Nike shoes were dumped into the Pacific Ocean. Six months later, shoes began washing up on our shores. Over the years, shoes have turned up in Hawaii, Japan and the Philippines. Ocean currents will be bringing some back here.

Both the Visitor's Center and the public restrooms next door are handicapped accessible. The propeller from the S.S.Cottoneva is displayed by the restrooms. The docked ship was caught in a storm, beached, and torn apart by the fierce waves. The S. S. Cottoneva's crew was rescued by the men from the Coast Guard Lifeboat Station.

Take one of the trails down to the beach. Read the colorful interpretive sign that identifies some of the seaside animal residents. Note: CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT, AS SNEAKER WAVES ARE VERY DANGEROUS.

It is safe to wade a few feet into the shallow water near Battle Rock. There are tidepools to explore and mussels and clams can be gathered in season (months with an 'R'). There are many birds and sea creatures (starfish, limpets, dogwinkles, Oregon Tritons, hermit crabs, and sea urchins, just to name a few). Wind, surfboard, and body surfing are said to be the best on the Oregon Coast. Kayaks and canoes are popular in calm weather. Glass floats, some 60 to 120 years old, are found on this beach. Plastic, metal, Styrofoam, and cork floats find their way here too. This is a good agate beach. Agates were formed thousands of years before the Ice Age. With names like moss, cloud, jasper, carnelian, moonstone, rainbow, and ribbon, they are more fun to hunt than Easter eggs.

Fun Fact: In 1992, 29,000 plastic tub toys were lost at sea, except that it wasn't long before plastic ducks, turtles, beavers, and frogs began to appear on Pacific Coast beaches. Who said beach exploring is restricted to seashells? Good luck!

Pack a picnic, search for agates, carry that perfect piece of driftwood back to your car, or just enjoy the view from the bench overlooking the beach. And if you are in the area on the 4th of July, fireworks are launched from the rock itself and provide quite a spectacular sight for the hundreds of spectators. Battle Rock Park has something for everyone.