Interpretive Programs

A roving interpretive ranger shares interesting details about mussel beds with a beach visitor
A roving interpretive ranger shares interesting details about mussel beds with a beach visitor

Several places along the Oregon coast offer on-site interpretive programs that give you the opportunity to learn more about rocky shore species and their habitats. Several have a touch tank and other fun educational opportunities.

Some Oregon State Parks offer tidepool walks or have a seasonal on-site roving ranger, including but possibly not limited to those listed on this page. Check out the regularly updated Oregon State Parks events page on the main website for details.

For a virtual tour of a tidepool with an Oregon State Parks ranger, visit this YouTube Playlist. 

Trip Tips

Here is some information to help you plan your visit to Oregon's amazing tidepools:


Programs by coastal region

North Coast

  • Haystack Rock (in Cannon Beach, near Seaside) has seasonal interpreters (Haystack Rock Awareness Program) that offer an educational display, microscopes, touch tanks and tidepool rangers to answer questions;
  • Ecola State Park (near Cannon Beach) and Oswald West State Park (near Manzanita) may host seasonal rocky shore interpretive programs, often through partners. north

Central Coast

South Coast

  • Shoreline Education for Awareness offers programs in the spring at Coquille Point (Bandon), and at the Simpson Reef overlook, near Coos Bay in the summer;
  • Sunset Bay State Park (near Coos Bay) has a seasonal rocky shore interpreter that may offer campground and tidepool programs;