Otter Rock, Oregon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Otter Rock, Oregon
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Otter Rock fire station
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 Otter Rock, Oregon
Location in Oregon
Otter Rock, Oregon
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Lincoln |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (PST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP codes |
97369
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Otter Rock is a small, charming community in Lincoln County, Oregon, United States. It is located right on the beautiful Oregon Coast along U.S. Route 101. Otter Rock is about 5.4 miles south of Depoe Bay and 8 miles north of Newport, Oregon. This area got its name from a large rock located about half a mile offshore. Long ago, sea otters used to live on this rock!
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Fun Things to Do in Otter Rock
There are many exciting activities to enjoy around Otter Rock all year long. You can try surfing the waves or go whale watching to spot amazing ocean creatures. Exploring the tide pools is also a lot of fun. You can discover tiny sea animals and plants left behind by the ocean. Many people also enjoy walking along the beach to find interesting shells and rocks. The Devils Punch Bowl State Natural Area is a cool place to visit right in Otter Rock.
How Many People Live Here?
As of 2019, about 225 people live in Otter Rock. This number has grown a bit from 2010, when there were 193 residents.
Weather in Otter Rock
Otter Rock has a special type of weather called a "dry-summer subtropical" climate. This means it has warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The average temperature in Otter Rock is about 50.8 degrees Fahrenheit (10.4 degrees Celsius). August is usually the warmest month, and January is the coldest.
On average, Otter Rock gets about 72 inches (183 cm) of rain each year. It also gets about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of snow. The community enjoys about 157 sunny days each year. There are about 110 days with some kind of rain or other precipitation.
Protecting Ocean Life: The Marine Reserve
The Otter Rock Marine Reserve is the smallest marine reserve along the Oregon coast. It covers about 1.2 square miles (3.1 square kilometers) of ocean. This special area stretches from Otter Rock down to Beverly State Beach. Near the northern part of the reserve, close to the town, you can find amazing tide pools.
What Lives in the Reserve?
Many different kinds of sea creatures and plants call this reserve home. You can find various types of seaweed, mussels, and sea anemones. There are also colorful sea stars, fish, and even seals. If you're lucky, you might spot octopuses and chitons too!
Studying the Ocean
Scientists began watching and studying this area in 2010. In 2012, rules were put in place to protect the marine life. This means that fishing and harvesting certain sea creatures are restricted. Scientists from Oregon State University, the Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans (PISCO), and UC Santa Cruz regularly study the reserve. They often check on young fish to see how they are growing in the area.
