Yaquina Head facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area |
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IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
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Yaquina Head Lighthouse from the southeast
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 Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
Location in the United States
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| Location | Lincoln County, Oregon, United States |
| Nearest city | Newport, Oregon |
| Area | 95 acres (38 ha) |
| Established | 1980 |
| Governing body | Bureau of Land Management |
Yaquina Head ( yə-KWIN-ə) is a special piece of land that sticks out into the Pacific Ocean. You can find it just north of Newport in the state of Oregon. It's famous for the Yaquina Head Lighthouse.
This amazing area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and is known as the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area. It's also part of the National Conservation Lands, which are important natural places protected by the government.
Discover Yaquina Head
Yaquina Head is a "headland," which means it's a high piece of land that reaches out into the sea. In 1980, the United States Congress officially named this 95-acre area an Outstanding Natural Area. This means it's a place with special natural beauty and importance.
The land here is about 108 feet above the ocean. You can easily find Yaquina Head along U.S. Route 101. It's about 55 miles west of Corvallis.
Fun Things to Do
There are many exciting activities to enjoy at Yaquina Head!
- Hiking: You can explore five different trails. Each trail is shorter than half a mile. They lead you along the ocean or through beautiful forests. These forests are filled with tall Douglas fir and Sitka spruce trees.
- Whale Watching: Keep an eye out for whales swimming in the ocean!
- Bird Watching: Many different kinds of birds live here or pass by.
- Interpretive Center: Visit the center to learn more about the area's history and wildlife.
- Lighthouse Tours: You can even take a tour inside the historic Yaquina Head Lighthouse.
How Yaquina Head Was Formed
Yaquina Head wasn't always here. It was created by ancient lava flows! Over a very long time, hot lava from volcanoes cooled and hardened. This formed the strong rock that makes up the headland we see today.
