What are the less-traveled agate beaches around Port Orford and Cape Blanco?

The beaches between Port Orford and Cape Blanco are, in general, less traveled relative to many other Oregon Coast beaches and this stretch of beach is known for good agate hunting. There are two primary public beach access areas in this area. Paradise Point State Recreation Site in the north end of Port Orford offers beach access as far north as Elk River. Cape Blanco State Park offers access to beaches both north and south of the cape. The beach north of the cape is accessed by a trail from the parking area outside the gate to the Cape Blanco Lighthouse. Be sure to check tide tables for this area since high tides can cover the entire beach in some stretches, especially during fall and winter.

In general, any beach adjacent to a cliffside offers potential for agate hunters in Oregon, but great agate hunting is more often determined by beach conditions and sand levels. Even on the best agate hunting beaches, rocky deposits containing agates can be covered by sand. Typically, sand builds up on beaches during the summer and covers rocky deposits containing agates, while winter storms loosen agates from cliff sides and strip the sand off beaches to reveal these deposits. This usually makes November to March the best time to discover significant agate deposits. The quieter seasons of the year are also the best for agate hunters since there is less competition for the prized stones.