![]() Located to the north of Devil's Punchbowl in Otter Rock, The Marine Garden at Otter Rock can be accessed by a short trail from the Devil's Punchbowl State Natural Area parking lot at C Avenue and 3rd Street. The Marine Garden is located a short walk north of the Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area parking lot at the base of the cape. Haystack Rock is about a 10-minute beach walk from the Gower Street beach access or the Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site parking area.Ī sandstone headland with hundred-foot-tall cliffs, Cape Kiwanda boasts a small but exceptional intertidal area on the south side of the cape. At many low tides throughout the year, interpreters from the Haystack Rock Awareness Program offer displays, assist with identifying marine life and monitor the intertidal area to protect this popular site from being damaged by visitors who don't understand or respect this amazing natural resource. The 235-foot monolithic rock at Cannon Beach towers over an easily accessible intertidal area rich with sea anemones, sea stars and a wide variety of shelled creatures. Here's a guide to Oregon's seven Marine Gardens: Low tides vary in height and the lowest tides of the year, known as minus tides (lower than average low tides), offer the best intertidal area viewing. Walk only on sand or bare rock to avoid doing damage to the creatures that often cover the entire surface of rocks. Always remember that tides and waves can vary dramatically from published times, so it's important to always keep an eye on the ocean to avoid getting wet, swamped or stranded. Plan your visit to Oregon's intertidal areas using the local tide tables and plan on arriving an hour before the low tide. No collecting or disturbance of any creatures or materials is allowed in these state-protected natural areas, though respecting these fragile ecosystems, treading carefully and not removing any creature should be the rule of the day in any intertidal area. There are countless places along Oregon's 363-mile coastline to explore intertidal areas, but seven locations known for their accessibility have been designated as State of Oregon Marine Gardens. Colorful sea stars, spiked sea urchins, flower-like anemones and hermit crabs living in vacant snail shells are among the many creatures that can be found in these areas. Where Oregon's rocky shores meet the ocean, a fascinating eco-system of colorful and bizarre creatures can be observed as daily low tides reveal the intertidal area that exists at the water's edge.
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