Face Rock Scenic Viewpoint in Bandon, Oregon is a hidden gem that you have to add to your list of places to visit during your time on the Oregon Coast.
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Face Rock Scenic Viewpoint wasn’t even on our list of places to visit during our 7-day Oregon Coast road trip. But the night before we left, my neighbor (who had spent a month on the Oregon Coast with her family earlier in the summer) told me it was a must-see. Considering we were staying at the Lamplighter Inn in Bandon, OR for one night, driving 10 minutes to the viewpoint was not hard to fit in.
Why is it called Face Rock?
The short version is that there is a rock that from a certain angle looks like the profile of a face looking up to the sky. According to the Coquille tribe, legend has it that you can hear a young woman’s voice on the wind and it is her face that is on the rock.
Basic Information about Face Rock Scenic Viewpoint and Beach
Address:
There isn’t an exact address. The best way to get there is to enter “Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint, Bandon, OR 97411” into your GPS. It will take you through some neighborhoods and then all of a sudden you’ll be at the parking lot.
Parking
Yes, but it is limited. We visited in the evening and there were only one or two other cars in the lot.
Bathrooms
Yes, there are restrooms up by the parking lot.
Stroller/Wheelchair Friendly
No. The trail down to the beach is sand and also includes a few sets of stairs.
The Beach at Face Rock is a Hidden Gem
Maybe it was because it was our family’s first stop on the Oregon Coast. But the minute we pulled into the parking lot and looked out over the ocean with all the different sea stacks, we knew Face Rock was something special. After a short walk from the parking lot down to the beach on a well marked trail, our kids started exploring.
The tide was out when we arrived and had left various treasures on the beach. One kid picked up a large tangle of mussels that made a unique sound when she shook it. Another started climbing on rocks and exploring small tunnels and shallow caves formed by the sea stacks. Our toddler was fascinated by the driftwood.
My two older kids and I attempted to explore some of the intertidal caves but we hadn’t brought water shoes and the rocks were not easy to navigate barefoot. I could see other people exploring as well who were a little better prepared than us for that part of the adventure. (As always though, please be aware of the tides. You can check the 2023 tide chart HERE so you know what to expect.)
However, there were a few other small caves and tunnels further away from the water that were fun to explore. My kids loved running up and down the small dunes and in and out of the caves and tunnels they found.
We spent as long as possible on the beach but once the sun started setting, the temperature started to drop. I didn’t get as many pictures as I would have liked because we were all having too much fun enjoying the new experience together. Everyone was reluctant to leave and we all wished we’d known how much fun the beach at Face Rock in Bandon, OR would be. It truly is a hidden gem that is easy to pass by if you don’t know about it.
My only two regrets are not bringing our sand toys for the kids and that we weren’t able to make it back to Face Rock again before heading up the coast. It was a perfect beach for spending the day at if we’d had more time. (Although our next stop, Heceta Head Lighthouse, had another great little beach and the view from the lighthouse is amazing!)
Beach Essentials
I hope you found this post about Face Rock Scenic Viewpoint in Bandon, Oregon helpful as you plan your trip to the Oregon Coast!
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