Recreation Region: Cape Perpetua Scenic Area

Trail of the Restless Waters #136

This paved National Recreation Trail hugs the coastline offering views of crashing waters, volcanic terraced tidepools and wind sculpted spruce. A wild place to see the winter surf as it explodes onto the terraces of volcanic rock. Don’t get too close to the edge; each wave hits the rocks differently and you don’t want to get soaked. Always use caution on the beach and at the tidepools.

Paved 0.4 mile loop from Devil’s Churn Day Use
Easy
Accessibility: moderate to most difficult. Wheelchair accessible to lower overlook

Current Conditions

10/1/2025: Trail is open.

Specific Trail Information

Trail Number

#136

Trail Type

Standard/Terra Trail — A trail that has a surface consisting predominantly of the ground and that is designed and managed to accommodate use on that surface.

General Information

Trail Map:

Trail Map (Geospatial PDF ~ 1.9 mb)

To use your mobile device's GPS to track your location on the map: Download the geospatial PDF (geoPDF), download and install an app, such as The Avenza Maps app, that reads geoPDFs.

Close To:

Day Use Fee Area ($5 a vehicle) or valid Recreation Pass required.

None

Getting There

Trailhead/Starting Points

This trail can be accessed from either Devil’s Churn Day Use or the parking area on the west side of Highway 101 just north of the Cape Perpetua Visitor’s Center.