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. Click HERE to learn the history of Battle Rock.
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 visitors’ 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.
There are benches and a stone wall to sit on and enjoy the long-range view
of the coastline with Humbug Mountain to the south. Bonnie’s Ice
Cream Shoppe, The Shell Shack, and The Wheelhouse Restaurant are at the
north end of the park. There is parking for RVs, tourist buses, and cars.
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 (see page “BIRDS” that
identifies some of the local 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.
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 visitors’ 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. 
