Boiler Bay

The Oregon Coast Rocks! ~ Cape Lookout
 
Cape Lookout is one of the most beloved headlands on the Oregon coast, boasting beautiful trails through Sitka Spruce, and a breathtaking sheer cliff that drops 400 feet down to the sea. What began as a volcanic lava flow has become a valuable habitat, alive with nesting bird colonies, fish, crabs, sea stars, and even migrating grey whales.

Cape Lookout’s breathtaking views, magnificent rock formations, and wildlife are a centerpiece for our community. Residents and tourists alike come to Cape Lookout to hike, observe wildlife, view the scenery, take photos, and enjoy the outdoors.

By designating Cape Lookout's rocky habitat and offshore natural resources as a Marine Conservation Area, we can:
  1. Protect migrating and nesting seabirds on both north and south facing cliffs. Some colonies on the south cliffs are home to more than 8,000 birds including Cormorants, Common Murres, and Pigeon Guillemots.
Nesting Brandt's Cormorants
  1. Protect seal haul-outs (places where seals rest and reproduce) during critical reproductive seasons.
Seal haul-out
  1. Create opportunities for the thousands of annual visitors to Cape Lookout to learn more about the area’s natural resources – and how to enjoy them safely and responsibly.


Cape Lookout offers a rare view of biodiversity we all must cherish if we are to survive on this planet, and offers a high-impact opportunity to preserve pristine and critical rocky habitats.

We are considering whether to lobby for additional protections for Cape Lookout as part of our Rocky Habitat focus. What do you think?

Learn how you can TAKE ACTION to protect our rocky coast.

Upper Cape Lookout trail
Photo: Caren Willoughby
  1. Educate recreational users such as boaters, paragliders, and drone enthusiasts about the need to keep an appropriate distance from seabird colonies during nesting season to avoid disruption and nest failure.
Common Murre colony at Yaquina Head
Photo: Roy Lowe
  1. Perhaps most importantly, preserve Cape Lookout in its natural state for all of us to enjoy and appreciate, as we lookout to the future.
Cape Lookout aerial view, south side
USFWS file photo

IMPORTANT LINKS

The Oregon Coast Rocks!

Managing our Rocky Coast [PDF]

Frequently Asked Questions

Cape Foulweather
Cape Foulweather information sheet
Cape Foulweather: Not a Foul View (essay)

Cape Lookout
Cape Lookout information sheet
Looking out for Cape Lookout (essay)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Five reasons to protect rocky habitats [PDF]

Five reasons to protect kelp [PDF]

Birds that rely on our Coastal Habitats

Oregon Ocean Information: Rocky Habitat Management Strategy

The Oregon Nearshore Strategy

Citizen's Guide to Oregon's Coastal Management Program
Website designed by Ernie Rose, Rose Designs, Lincoln City, Oregon. Copyright: Audubon Society of Lincoln City.
Email: info@lincolncityaudubon.org