A Complete Guide to Visiting the Devils Punchbowl in Oregon
VISITING THE DEVILS PUNCHBOWL IN OREGON?
We are here to help! We have spent months traveling the Oregon Coast and have visited the Devils Punchbowl many times. We have used our insider information from our visits to compile this guide to visiting this unique feature on the Pacific Coast.
This is one of our favorite places to visit on our Oregon Coast road trips. This beautiful part of the coast has a large cave you can explore and beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean. It is open for day use year-round and is one of the best natural areas on the coast.
This is a very popular attraction along the coast and a short drive off Highway 101. It is a great place to stop if you are going on west coast road trip, or it is one of my favorite day trips from the nearby cities like Florence or Newport.
How to Get to the Oregon Coast Devil’s Punchbowl
If you are driving along the Oregon Coast down through Gold Beach or looking for things to do in Newport, Oregon, the Devils Punch Bowl is a quick and easy stop.
As one of the best day trips from Portland, it’s well worth your time to stretch your legs after a long drive and see the cave. It is on the headlands located between Newport and the small seaside town of Depoe Bay.
From Highway 101, you will turn onto Otter Crest Loop. Your Google Maps should have no problem getting you there. There are also lots of signs directing you to the parking lot.
Parking at Devils Punchbowl State Park
There are three parking areas at the Devils Punchbowl in Oregon, and parking outside of designated parking spots along the neighborhood streets and on private property is not allowed. There are not a lot of parking spaces in this area, so you may need to be patient if you are visiting during a busy time.
We have visited the Devils Punchbowl in Oregon twice during the summer and did not have an issue with parking. We even found a parking spot for our 35-foot motorhome without a problem.
Things to Do at Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area
What there is to do in this state natural area will depend on the time you visit. If you are there at high tide, the best views will be from the upper viewing area to see the waves crashing into the collapsed cave.
If you are visiting at a low tide, you can expect to see an empty bowl with people exploring inside.
Low tide is also the best time to explore the tide pools on the beach below. We love exploring the tide pools when we visit Oregon. The sea life we find is always so fun and one of the things my kids love the most about visiting the ocean.
The Devils Punchbowl Hike to the Upper Viewpoint
The viewing area where you can see down inside the Oregon Coast Devils Punchbowl from the top is the most common way to see this amazing natural attraction. To get to the viewpoint, you will take the upper trail. If you are parked in the lower parking area, it is about a 0.8-mile round trip walk.
This angle is best enjoyed at high tide or after a large winter storm. You will have a birds-eye view of the waves coming into the punchbowl. During the winter and at high tide, you can see the water churning and foam forming.
Going Into the Devils Punchbowl
Can you go inside the Devils Punchbowl?
Yes, you can go down inside the Devils Punch Bowl. However, you cannot go in at any time. You need to make sure you are visiting at low tide and there is not a winter storm.
Safety in the Devils Punchbowl
If you go down inside the Devil’s Punchbowl at low tide, you should have no problems. However, not just any low tide will do. It is recommended to only go inside if there is a negative number for the low tide.
Even during a low tide, large waves can enter the punchbowl. It is important to stay aware of your surroundings and never turn your back on the ocean. You are going in at your own risk.
You can check the tide charts here.
The trail to Devils Punchbowl
The walk down to the Devil’s Punchbowl is a short and easy trail. The trailhead is near the large parking area. There is a short path that goes down to the beach. Part of the Devils Punchbowl hike has worn away so watch where you are walking.
At the end of the trail, the paved trail has broken off, but there are some steps eroded into the sandstone where you can get down to the beach. The rocky bowl will be to the south of you.
Once you are on the beach, there is a short 0.25-mile walk along Otter Crest Beach to the Devils Punchbowl. You will need to do some scrambling over some rocks to get into the cave. Once you see a large arch, you will know you have made it to the outside of the cave.
Inside the Devils Punchbowl, you will see beautiful colors along the walls as well as great views of the outside of the cave. Keep an eye out for sea life like sea stars, crabs, and sea anemones you might see inside.
Grab a Bite to Eat at Mo’s Chowder
After exploring the Devils Punchbowl, grab a bite to eat at Mo’s Chowder. They have locations throughout the state of Oregon, including here, Newport, and Florence. The clam chowder is very tasty, as well as the seafood alfredo. The views from the restaurant are hard to beat.
After lunch or dinner, be sure to grab some fudge from the shop next door.
Enjoy a Walk on the Beach
You can also go for a nice walk along the long stretch of beach. The south side of the parking area is great for walking on the beach.
Enjoy a Picnic
If you are driving up the coast, the Devils Punchbowl in Oregon is a great place to stop for lunch. There is a nice picnic area with beautiful Pacific Ocean views and Beverly Beach views.
If you want to picnic on the beach, grab a nice beach blanket or your camp chairs and enjoy the beautiful beaches in this area. The beach on the south side of the large parking lot is great for picnicking. You may even get to watch some surfers.
Explore the Tide Pools
The best tide pools are on the north side of the punch bowl. The north side of the beach has Otter Crest Beach, Otter Rock Marine Garden, and Finger Rock. You can look for the tide pools around the large rocks that you walk past on the way into the Devil’s Punchbowl.
We love exploring the tide pools on the Oregon Coast, especially on the large rock formations, you will find here, as well as in Cannon Beach. Remember to not step on any sea life on the rocks and do not take anything from the tide pools. Don’t pick up the plants or animals.
Enjoy the Ocean Views and Look for Whales
The views of the Pacific Ocean from the upper viewpoint are amazing. While you are enjoying the spectacular views, keep an eye out for whales. We have seen whales in this area multiple times because of the kelp beds that are close to the shore.
The whales also migrate through this area during the spring. Keep an eye out for seals and sea lions along with the whales.
Go Surfing
The Devils Punch bowl State Natural Area is a great place to go surfing. Surfing is most commonly done on the southern side near Beverly Beach. There are rentals available near the upper viewing area from Pura Vida Surf Shop. They also offer surfing lessons.
How was the Devil’s Punchbowl Created
Today, the Devil’s Punchbowl is a large hollow rock formation created from sandstone and siltstone. When the tide level is high, it looks like a large punch bowl churning as the ocean waves come and go. The punch bowl, as it is visible today, is most likely the result of collapsed sea caves that have been formed from the ocean waves.
The collapse of the sea cave left a beautiful opening of the cave, which is what you can see today from the upper viewpoint. It is estimated that the cave is about 18 million years old and some wood fossils have been discovered there.
The Devils Punchbowl History
The area now known as the Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area was given or purchased by the state between 1929 and 1971. F. W. and C. P. Leadbetter gave the first part to the state. During the 1900s, a long wooden slide was built to provide accessibility from the Otter Rock bluff out to the beach.
During the 1930s, further improvements were made in the area to make it more friendly for daily use. They added picnic tables, restrooms, steps down to the beach, and more. Further improvements were made to the property in the 1970s.
Why do they call it the Devil’s Punchbowl?
This area is commonly referred to as the Devil’s Punchbowl because of the shape of the rock formation. There is a huge hollow rock formation that, when filled with the ocean waves, looks like a large punchbowl, churning and bubbling. Two collapsed sea caves carved by the ocean waves have given this rock formation a circular shape that looks like a punchbowl filled with witch’s brew.
Other Fun Stops on the Coast Near the Devil’s Punchbowl
Newport: We just spent a week in Newport and had a great time exploring this fun part of the coast. Be sure to check out the Ocean Coast Aquarium and the Heceta Head lighthouse. This is a great area of the coast to spend some time in.
Thor’s Well: Another really cool place to stop at in the area is Thor’s Well. It is another really cool rock feature that is fascinating to watch as the ocean waves fill and empty the well. You can read all about Thor’s Well here.
Cape Perpetua: A gorgeous section of the Oregon Coast that you have to drive through is Cape Perpetua. The coastline is stunning and is filled with dramatic views of the rugged coastline. Be sure to stop by the Cape Perpetua Lookout and the Saint Perpetua Trail.
Take a Hike: Hikers excited to traverse some of Oregon’s beautiful coastline will thoroughly enjoy Cascade Head Trail and God’s Thumb. Both trails are only a short drive from Devil’s Punchbowl, so it’s easy to include one on the same day of your visit.
