Devil’s Churn Oregon constantly reminds us that we’re so lucky to live in Oregon, where natural wonders are found in every corner of the state. From stunning waterfalls like Toketee Falls, to the quiet beauty of this remote Oregon desert, you could spend years exploring the Beaver State and still not see it all. Here’s a natural wonder on the coast that’s both terrifying and majestic, and if you’ve never seen it in person, Devil’s Churn in Oregon is bucket list – worthy.
One of Oregon’s most stunning natural wonders is Devil’s Churn, which is located on Oregon’s central coast, just south of Yachats and north of the Cape Perpetua Visitor Center.
The Devil’s Churn Day Use Area is managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Park in the small parking lot to access the trailhead, but first make sure to pay the $5 day use fee. There are also restrooms available.
Catherine Armstrong The $5 parking fee is a small price to pay for the absolutely spellbinding views that await from the Devil’s Churn Viewpoint.
The Restless Waters Trail takes you right down the side of the cliff. The first portion of the trail is handicapped accessible.
Catherine Armstrong
You’ll soon come to the first of two overlooks, where you’ll get a peek at the broiling waters below. When you stand above Devil’s Churn on Oregon’s coast, you can’t help but be mesmerized by its terrifying, majestic beauty.
Catherine Armstrong Boasting some of the best views in Oregon, Devil’s Churn is a must-capture - don’t forget your camera!
As you continue along the switchbacks, you’ll soon see (and hear) Devil’s Churn below. Stop to gaze at this massive rock chasm, with the ocean waves crashing and churning inside.
Catherine Armstrong
A few flights of stairs will take you right down to the water’s edge.
Catherine Armstrong You’ve just arrived at a one-of-a-kind Devil’s Churn viewpoint.
Visitors are allowed to walk right down onto the volcanic rock that surrounds the churn, and can even cross over to the far side. Sitting this close to the powerful ocean waves crashing into the churn is an experience you’ll never forget.
Pat Kight/flickr Pay attention to conditions around you before strolling down near the churn. While it can be perfectly safe during nice weather in the summer, it can be very dangerous in the winter, when waves continually wash up onto the rocks around the churn.
The churn was created by a fissure in the volcanic rock here that was worn away over thousands of years. Waves crash into the 80-foot-wide chasm, then rebound back toward the ocean, colliding with incoming waves to create a stunning display that will take your breath away.
Zach Korb/Flickr
Some waves crash into the sides of the churn, spraying sea water and foam hundreds of feet in the air. During winter months when the ocean is more volatile, it can even bring huge tree trunks into the churn on its crests, and toss them about like Lincoln Logs.
Joe Mabel/flickr
While Devil’s Churn is certainly awe-inspiring, it’s important to remember that the ocean is incredibly powerful and unpredictable.
Catherine Armstrong During my recent visit, a man standing near the edge on the far side was hit with a huge sneaker wave that drenched him from head to toe. He lost his balance and nearly fell into the churn. Deaths have occurred at this site, so be vigilant, and stay far enough back from the edge that you won’t be washed over the side!
It’s almost impossible to capture the terrifying, exhilarating beauty of Devil’s Churn in photographs. Take a look at this video, posted on YouTube by Steve Hackstadt a few years ago:
Catherine Armstrong
The $5 parking fee is a small price to pay for the absolutely spellbinding views that await from the Devil’s Churn Viewpoint.
Boasting some of the best views in Oregon, Devil’s Churn is a must-capture - don’t forget your camera!
You’ve just arrived at a one-of-a-kind Devil’s Churn viewpoint.
Pat Kight/flickr
Pay attention to conditions around you before strolling down near the churn. While it can be perfectly safe during nice weather in the summer, it can be very dangerous in the winter, when waves continually wash up onto the rocks around the churn.
Zach Korb/Flickr
Joe Mabel/flickr
During my recent visit, a man standing near the edge on the far side was hit with a huge sneaker wave that drenched him from head to toe. He lost his balance and nearly fell into the churn. Deaths have occurred at this site, so be vigilant, and stay far enough back from the edge that you won’t be washed over the side!
Have you seen Devil’s Churn Oregon up close? We’d love to see your photos! In fact, if you love Oregon’s natural beauty, you might want to join our Oregon Nature Lovers Group on Facebook. You’ll see tons of gorgeous photos taken all over the state, and can submit your own to share with the group. If you thought the views from Devil’s Churn Scenic Overlook were amazing, be sure to also check out these Oregon overlooks for more stellar views.
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Address: Devils Churn, Oregon, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Devil’s Churn Oregon May 15, 2022 Beth Price-Williams Where can I find some of the best views in Oregon? Devil’s Churn Oregon promises breathtaking views, arguably some of the best in the entire state. However, more gorgeous views await at some of the best overlooks in Oregon. Get a bird’s eye view of Salt Creek Falls, the second tallest waterfall in Oregon, from a handicap-accessible platform. The stroll from the parking lot to the platform is just 50 yards. For some of the most beautiful views in the world, follow the Watchman Trail, which tallies less than a mile. The historic fire tower offers jaw-dropping views of Crater Lake. We don’t always have to hike or drive to drink in the views either. Climb aboard a gondola on the Wallowa Lake Tramway, for example. It will take you on a scenic, one-of-a-kind ride from Wallowa Lake to the summit of Mount Howard. No matter which Oregon overlook you head to, you don’t want to forget your camera. What are the best scenic hikes in Oregon? We can all probably agree that Oregon is absolutely gorgeous, and we want to explore every beautiful inch of it. One of the best ways to do that is on an Oregon hike. If you’re not sure where to start out, how about following the Tumalo Creek Trail? It leads to the breathtaking 97-foot Tumalo Falls and is picture-perfect in all seasons. If you’re a fan of chasing waterfalls in Oregon, you can’t go wrong on the Trail of Ten Falls Loop, where you’ll see 10 absolutely breathtaking cascades. The cascades sit in Silver Falls State Park, considered Oregon’s most popular state park. For an adventure that will take you to a hidden beach, set off on the picturesque Secret Beach Trail, which leads to Secret Beach. If you’re lucky you might have it all to yourself.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Devil’s Churn Oregon
May 15, 2022
Beth Price-Williams
Where can I find some of the best views in Oregon? Devil’s Churn Oregon promises breathtaking views, arguably some of the best in the entire state. However, more gorgeous views await at some of the best overlooks in Oregon. Get a bird’s eye view of Salt Creek Falls, the second tallest waterfall in Oregon, from a handicap-accessible platform. The stroll from the parking lot to the platform is just 50 yards. For some of the most beautiful views in the world, follow the Watchman Trail, which tallies less than a mile. The historic fire tower offers jaw-dropping views of Crater Lake. We don’t always have to hike or drive to drink in the views either. Climb aboard a gondola on the Wallowa Lake Tramway, for example. It will take you on a scenic, one-of-a-kind ride from Wallowa Lake to the summit of Mount Howard. No matter which Oregon overlook you head to, you don’t want to forget your camera. What are the best scenic hikes in Oregon? We can all probably agree that Oregon is absolutely gorgeous, and we want to explore every beautiful inch of it. One of the best ways to do that is on an Oregon hike. If you’re not sure where to start out, how about following the Tumalo Creek Trail? It leads to the breathtaking 97-foot Tumalo Falls and is picture-perfect in all seasons. If you’re a fan of chasing waterfalls in Oregon, you can’t go wrong on the Trail of Ten Falls Loop, where you’ll see 10 absolutely breathtaking cascades. The cascades sit in Silver Falls State Park, considered Oregon’s most popular state park. For an adventure that will take you to a hidden beach, set off on the picturesque Secret Beach Trail, which leads to Secret Beach. If you’re lucky you might have it all to yourself.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Devil’s Churn Oregon promises breathtaking views, arguably some of the best in the entire state. However, more gorgeous views await at some of the best overlooks in Oregon. Get a bird’s eye view of Salt Creek Falls, the second tallest waterfall in Oregon, from a handicap-accessible platform. The stroll from the parking lot to the platform is just 50 yards. For some of the most beautiful views in the world, follow the Watchman Trail, which tallies less than a mile. The historic fire tower offers jaw-dropping views of Crater Lake. We don’t always have to hike or drive to drink in the views either. Climb aboard a gondola on the Wallowa Lake Tramway, for example. It will take you on a scenic, one-of-a-kind ride from Wallowa Lake to the summit of Mount Howard. No matter which Oregon overlook you head to, you don’t want to forget your camera.
What are the best scenic hikes in Oregon?
We can all probably agree that Oregon is absolutely gorgeous, and we want to explore every beautiful inch of it. One of the best ways to do that is on an Oregon hike. If you’re not sure where to start out, how about following the Tumalo Creek Trail? It leads to the breathtaking 97-foot Tumalo Falls and is picture-perfect in all seasons. If you’re a fan of chasing waterfalls in Oregon, you can’t go wrong on the Trail of Ten Falls Loop, where you’ll see 10 absolutely breathtaking cascades. The cascades sit in Silver Falls State Park, considered Oregon’s most popular state park. For an adventure that will take you to a hidden beach, set off on the picturesque Secret Beach Trail, which leads to Secret Beach. If you’re lucky you might have it all to yourself.
