Cape Perpetua Scenic Area - Lookout & Trails

Towering 802 feet over the shoreline, the Cape Perpetua Headland is the highest viewpoint accessible by car on the Oregon Coast. On clear days, views extend 37 miles out to sea, and along 70 miles of coastline from Cape Foulweather to Cape Arago. The stone shelter was built in the 1930's by the CCC and served as a lookout for enemy ships and planes during World War II. Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, encompassing 2,700 acres of coastal habitat, was set aside for unique ecological characteristics found where the temperate spruce rainforest transition to the sea. Early explorer Captain James Cook first observed the headland in 1778 and named it after Saint Perpetua. In 1933 President Franklin D. Roosevelt formed the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and Cape Perpetua became a base camp for young men to learn skills. Many of the campgrounds, trails, and plantings are the work of the CCC. The scenic area offers 26 miles of trail, featuring old-growth forests, Indian shell middens, the Devil’s Churn, tidepools and stunning views. A visitor’s center offers exhibits that discuss the cultural and natural history of the area. There is also a seasonal campground that opens in May.

Cape Perpetua Scenic Area - Lookout & Trails

Oregon Coast Sights