Hug Point State Recreation Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hug Point State Recreation Site |
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View from near the parking area
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| Type | Public, state |
| Location | Clatsop County, Oregon |
| Nearest city | Cannon Beach |
| Area | 43 acres (17 ha) |
| Operated by | Oregon Parks and Recreation Department |
| Status | Day use, year-round |
| Parking | One parking area |
Hug Point State Recreation Site is a cool state park located on the northern Oregon Coast in the U.S. state of Oregon. A state park is a special area of land set aside by the government for people to enjoy nature and outdoor activities.
This park is managed by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. It is open to everyone and you don't need to pay a fee to visit. You can find it about 5 miles (8.0 km) south of Cannon Beach, right along U.S. Route 101. At Hug Point, you can have a picnic, go fishing, or just relax on the beautiful Pacific Ocean beach.
Hug Point is also the name of the rocky area, or cape, that the park is named after.
Why is it Called Hug Point?
Have you ever wondered how Hug Point got its name? Back in the late 1800s, people used to travel along the beach in stagecoaches. These were like old-fashioned buses pulled by horses. To get around this rocky point, they had to "hug" the land very closely, even when the tide was low. This is how the name Hug Point came to be!
The Old Road Around the Point
Around the early 1900s, a simple road was carved into the side of Hug Point. No one knows for sure who built it. This road made it much easier to reach Arch Cape, a nearby town.
Before this road, wagons and early cars had to drive on the beach. Sometimes, they even had to drive right into the ocean waves! This was a big problem, especially for cars, which could easily get stuck or damaged by the water. The new road helped travelers avoid this risky journey through the surf.
There's a story that a man built the road after his new car got stuck in the tide. But old photos show the road was there long before the 1920s. A historian named Ralph Friedman even talked to a stagecoach driver who used the road before World War I. So, the road was built to make travel safer and easier for everyone.
What to See and Do at Hug Point
This park is 43-acre (17 ha) big and has lots to explore. It has a large parking area and public restrooms for visitors. A gentle walkway leads you right down to the beach.
As you explore, you'll notice some cool things:
- Sea Caves: Erosion has created interesting caves in the sandstone cliffs on the south side of the point.
- Seasonal Waterfall: You might even see a beautiful waterfall flowing down the cliffs, especially after it rains.
- Oregon Coast Trail: The famous Oregon Coast Trail passes right through the park along the beach. This trail is great for hiking and exploring more of the coastline.
Hug Point is a fantastic place to visit for its history, natural beauty, and fun beach activities!
