Roosevelt Beach extends for five miles along the central Oregon Coast as part of Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park, offering an expansive sandy shoreline approximately 14 miles north of Florence and 10 miles south of Cape Perpetua within the Siuslaw National Forest. This uncrowded beach serves campers staying at Washburne's creekside campground and day-use visitors accessing the beach via walking trails that tunnel under Highway 101, creating safe passage from the forest campground to the wide sandy beach. The state park honors Carl G. Washburne, a Eugene businessman and Oregon Highway Commissioner from 1932 to 1935, with the original tract gifted by the Narcissa Washburne Estate in 1962. Trailheads at the north and south ends of the 62-site campground provide multiple beach access points, with the most popular route following trails from campsites that wind through lush coastal forest before passing under the highway to emerge onto pristine sand. Day-use parking areas near the beach accommodate visitors not staying overnight, creating opportunities for extended beach walks, whale watching, agate hunting, and picnicking without the crowds found at more developed Oregon Coast beaches.
The five-mile sandy beach creates exceptional opportunities for long walks where solitude often prevails even during summer months, with possibilities to hike north toward Heceta Head or south toward other coastal access points. Surf fishing proves productive along the three-mile stretch with anglers catching surfperch during spring and summer using sand shrimp or grubs, while salmon and steelhead runs during fall and winter bring migrating fish within casting distance. Beachcombing yields agates, jasper, driftwood, shells, and interesting finds particularly after winter storms deposit fresh material along the tide line. Whale watching from the beach offers excellent opportunities during gray whale migration seasons when the elevated beach vantage allows spotting of spouts, flukes, and occasionally full breaches. Roosevelt elk, for which the beach may be named, frequently wander through the campground and coastal meadows, creating exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities particularly during dawn and dusk. Black-tailed deer, black bears occasionally, and abundant bird species including brown pelicans, cormorants, gulls, sandpipers, and plovers frequent the area. The Valley Trail connects to both the Hobbit Trail descending half a mile to the beach and the Heceta Head Trail climbing to the iconic lighthouse six miles round-trip from the campground, creating extended hiking opportunities combining beach, forest, and clifftop environments. Picnicking on the beach proves popular with families spreading blankets on the sand for meals with ocean views.
Florence's Old Town waterfront dining sits 14 miles south along the Siuslaw River. The Waterfront Depot occupies a restored train station serving fine dining seafood including pan-seared scallops, grilled wild salmon, Dungeness crab cakes, steaks, and craft cocktails with views of the Siuslaw River Bridge. Mo's Restaurant extends over the river on a pier, offering famous clam chowder, fish and chips, seafood baskets, burgers, and family fare with dockside seating. International C-Food Market provides the largest waterfront deck seating over 125 people, serving fresh fish tacos, fish and chips, crab melts, award-winning chowder, and pet-friendly outdoor dining overlooking the marina. Bridgewater Fish House prepares fresh seafood with grilled salmon, halibut, oysters, seafood pasta, and daily catch specials. Novelli's Crab and Seafood operates from a dockside hut run by a commercial fishing family, serving three-time award-winning crab chowder, crab cocktails, smoked salmon, and fresh-caught seafood.
Roosevelt Beach and Carl G. Washburne State Park require awareness that recent heavy rainfall caused a road collapse within the B loop of the campground, closing part of the camping area with an unknown repair timeline, though beach access trails remain open. No lifeguards patrol the beach and the Pacific Ocean presents extreme dangers with cold water temperatures year-round, strong currents, undertows, and unpredictable sneaker waves making swimming unsafe. Never turn your back on the ocean and supervise children closely away from the waterline. Surf fishing requires appropriate Oregon fishing licenses, knowledge of seasons and regulations for salmon and steelhead, and awareness of ocean conditions and tide changes. Roosevelt elk, while magnificent to observe, are wild animals that can be aggressive particularly during fall rutting season and when protecting calves, requiring visitors to maintain safe distances of at least 50 yards and never approaching or feeding them. Black bears occasionally appear and require proper food storage in vehicles or bear-proof containers at campsites. The trails under Highway 101 provide safe crossing but visitors should remain on designated paths and avoid attempting to cross the highway on foot. Weather on the Oregon Coast changes rapidly with fog, wind, and rain developing quickly. Campground reservations are strongly recommended during summer months and can be made up to six months in advance. Day-use areas may have parking fees. Roosevelt Beach at Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park combines five miles of uncrowded sandy beach, excellent camping in coastal forest, surf fishing, agate hunting, Roosevelt elk viewing, and connections to trails reaching Heceta Head Lighthouse, creating an exceptional Oregon Coast destination for those seeking nature and solitude.
