Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
Red Rocks Coastal Reserve, located along the southern Oregon coast near the town of Gold Beach, protects nearly 356 acres of dramatic coastline featuring basalt sea stacks, tidal pools, sandy beaches, and dense coastal forests. This reserve is managed primarily for habitat preservation and low-impact recreation. The reserve's coastline is shaped by erosion-resistant basalt lava flows that create towering sea stacks and rocky headlands, offering spectacular views over the Pacific Ocean. The rocky shores provide critical habitat for marine invertebrates, sea stars, and an abundance of tide pool organisms, while the adjacent Sitka spruce and Douglas fir forests supply shelter for coastal birds and native mammals.
Historically, the area was used by indigenous peoples for fishing and gathering marine resources. Modern visitors are attracted by the reserve’s combination of rugged natural beauty and ecological significance. Activities such as hiking the trails through old growth stands, exploring tide pools at low tide, bird watching (including sea birds and migratory species), and photography are particularly popular. The reserve includes several primitive trails and provides opportunities for quiet solitude away from more heavily visited state parks on the coast.
Red Rocks Coastal Reserve also plays a vital role in protecting habitat for the threatened Oregon coast coho salmon and offers research opportunities in coastal ecology. The reserve’s unspoiled coastline and dramatic basalt formations appeal to outdoor enthusiasts who seek both adventure and a connection with nature.
