Paddling Beaver Creek on the Oregon Coast

Looking for more fun things to do on the Oregon Coast?
Head north, where you can hike to incredible views at God’s Thumb, or venture inland to marvel at Drift Creek Falls.

PADDLE

The quiet waters of Beaver Creek are perfect for paddling. The current is slow, and although Beaver Creek is a tidal river, the tides have relatively little effect on the flow. We paddled out to Ona Beach while the tide was coming in, and even with a light headwind we still made good progress. Yes, you may encounter wind. It is the Oregon Coast, after all! Some sections of Beaver Creek are more sheltered than others, so expect conditions may change as you round each bend.

The Beaver Creek State Natural Area is a haven for wildlife, so keep your eyes and ears open. Birdsong trilled across the water as we paddled, and we spotted red-winged blackbirds perched on cattails. Black-and-white bufflehead ducks plied the waters, and blue herons swooped silently across the marsh. In the shallow waters near the launch, we spotted dozens of rough-skinned newts. We didn’t spot any mammals (other than ourselves and a couple other kayakers), but maybe you’ll have better luck.

To enjoy all of these natural wonders, you’ll need to bring your own kayak or paddle board. Otherwise, you can sign up for a guided kayak tour in summer. Check the Oregon State Parks tours and events reservation webpage between roughly May and August for more information, or contact the Beaver Creek State Natural Area Welcome Center.

GOOD TO KNOW

• There is no fee to park or paddle at Beaver Creek State Natural Area.
• Vault toilets and garbage bins are located at the parking lot.
• It’s a short walk from the parking lot to the boat launch.
• Only small non-motorized watercraft are allowed in Beaver Creek State Natural Area.
• There is a small picnic area near the boat launch.
• In summer, Beaver Creek State Natural Area offers guided kayak tours. This is a great option if you don’t have your own boat. Contact the Welcome Center ahead of time for more information or check the Oregon State Parks events and tours reservation webpage between May and August.

• The Beaver Creek State Natural Area is also home to an extensive network of short, easy trails. It’s a great place to explore on foot even if you don’t plan to paddle.
• The Welcome Center is located up the hill just before the boat launch parking lot. It wasn’t open when we visited, but offers a good view across the wetlands, and has vault toilets and picnic tables.
• Parking and a boat launch are also available at Ona Beach. Here you’ll find restrooms and a large picnic area near the river. A beautiful wooden pedestrian bridge leads to the beach.
• Bring water, snacks, extra layers, shade hats, and sunscreen. OK, you may not always need the sunscreen, but on a clear day you will. We also brought sand toys and a picnic blanket for the beach. Drinking water is not available at Beaver Creek or Ona Beach.
• Always follow Leave No Trace principles.

HIGHLIGHTS

Beaver Creek offers a quiet escape into nature, a place where birdsong replaces the rush of traffic (until you approach Highway 101, that is). There are endless waterways to explore, and the route we took to Ona Beach is just one of many options. Whether you have only an hour or all day, Beaver Creek is a paddler’s paradise on the Oregon Coast.

THE KIDS’ TAKE

“It’s like the Everglades!” my older son shouted gleefully when we arrived at the Beaver Creek boat launch. OK, so there were no alligators, but there were plenty of newts. And how cool is it to kayak to your own personal beach?

Beaver Creek is a safe, easy place to kayak, but take note: it took us one and a half hours to paddle from the boat launch to Ona Beach. The return trip took another hour. True, there were times when mom was the only one actually paddling, and a headwind picked up as we made our way toward the coast, but even one hour is a long time for many young kids to sit in a kayak. If that’s too much for your kids, consider a short paddle session exploring the area near the launch, which is the best place to spot newts and salamanders. If you have two cars, you can park one at Ona Beach and make it a one-way trip.

WHILE YOU’RE HERE

Beaver Creek is just one of many exciting places to explore along the Central Oregon Coast. In addition to Ona Beach, check out nearby Seal Rock State Recreation Site. Seal Rock is also home to Luna Sea Fish House, a great spot for fresh seafood and more.

If you’re heading north toward Lincoln City, a couple of our favorite hikes are Drift Creek Falls and God’s Thumb. Drift Creek Falls takes you to a gorgeous waterfall in the heart of the Coast Range, while God’s Thumb is renowned for its stunning coastal viewpoint.

It was a clear April day on the Oregon Coast, perfect for a springtime paddle. Apparently, this sentiment was not shared by many others, as ours was the only car parked in the lot at the Beaver Creek State Natural Area boat launch. Maybe the fact that it was a Wednesday had something to do with it. In any case, the kids and I were thrilled to be here. It was just us, the birds, and the newts, and we were ready to explore!

My older son, J, took the bow of our inflatable kayak, while T snuggled down in the middle and I took my usual place in the stern. J steered us confidently through the narrow channels, and it wasn’t long before we spotted our first newt under the water. Then another, and another, and… well, I totally lost count. To the boys, kayaking doesn’t get much better than a high newt count.

We eventually made our way out of the small channels near the dock and joined the main channel of Beaver Creek. A bright blue signpost marked the entrance, something that would definitely come in handy on the return trip. For now, we turned right and headed downstream toward Ona Beach.

Even with two boys in the boat, the trip was relaxing and peaceful (mostly). When J tired of paddling, he switched places with his younger brother. The wind picked up as we gradually made our way toward the coast, but we were still making progress. A heron swooped gracefully overhead, while further downstream black-and-white buffleheads bobbed in the water. These distinctive ducks always took flight before we managed to get too close, their bi-colored wings flickering as they careened over the marsh.

Now that some time had passed, the kids were growing restless. Where was the beach? We could hear the sound of traffic as we approached Highway 101, but it remained out of sight. Finally, we saw it. A low passage took us under the highway, and as we turned a gentle bend in the river we caught our first glimpse of sand.

OK, so we weren’t to the ocean yet, but this spot was too good to pass up. We pulled the kayak ashore, unfurled the picnic blanket, and dumped out the sand toys. It turned out to be an ideal location; we had this little spot of sand to ourselves, and it was well sheltered form the wind. Plus, a frog hopped right up to where T stood at the river’s edge. How lucky can you get?

After enjoying a picnic lunch, I left the boys to their sand castle building and went to check out Ona Beach. A graceful wooden bridge crosses Beaver Creek near the mouth of the river, leading to a wide expanse of white sand. The wind picked up as I approached the shore, but it was nonetheless a beautiful day to be on the beach.

After a full hour and a half at the beach, we decided to it was time to go. The kids were sure the return trip would go faster; this time, the wind would be at our backs. Well, mostly. Indeed, it was faster, taking only an hour as opposed to the full 1.5 hours it took us to paddle out. This time, T started off in the bow, while J took his place halfway through for the final paddle to the dock.

We pulled the kayak ashore and began packing up. Beaver Creek, the kids decided, was one of the best places they had ever kayaked. There may not be alligators, but newts, it turns out, are pretty cool. For a fun family paddle, it’s hard to beat Beaver Creek.