Perched on rugged sandstone cliffs high above the ocean, Shore Acres State Park is an exciting and unexpected combination of beautiful natural and constructed features. Once the grand estate of pioneer timber baron Louis Simpson, Shore Acres features lushly planted gardens with plants and flowers from all over the world. Something is in bloom almost every day of the year.
In the landscaped area you'll discover a formal garden, an oriental-style pond and two rose gardens which include an All American Rose Selection display. From Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve, the gardens are ablaze with thousands of colored lights and holiday decorations put up by community volunteers and The Friends of Shore Acres in cooperation with the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.
After seeing the garden, you can stroll down a trail to a secluded ocean cove at Simpson Beach or skirt the cliff's edge to see spectacular ocean vistas which often include towering waves crashing against the shoreline after a storm and migrating grey whales. On the site of Simpson's vanished mansion, a fully enclosed observation building will allow you to view the ocean and protect you from the weather. The observation building has interpretive panels describing the history of the Simpson estate.
The Friends of Shore Acres operate an information and gift center at the entrance to the formal gardens where visitors can purchase items that relate to the historical and natural features of Shore Acres. The Friends also sponsor a variety of horticultural and cultural events at the garden throughout the year.
A large Monterey pine (pinus radiata) dates back to the historic Louis J. Simpson estate. A member of the national Big Tree Register, the pine is 95 feet tall with a 208-inch truck circumference and a 74-foot crown spread. It shares co-champion honors with a Monterey pine in Carmel, California, which has a smaller trunk, but a wider crown. It was probably planted around 1910.
Shore Acres Holiday Lights: Nov. 25-Dec. 31., 4 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Friends of Shore Acres
 (full park brochure and map; requires Acrobat)
 (just the garden map; requires Acrobat)
Vital stats
The park is open 8 a.m. until sunset (so the exact closing time varies throughout the year). Most of the garden is wheelchair accessible, and loaner wheelchairs are available from the information center/gift store operated on-site by the Friends of Shore Acres. Their phone number is (541) 888-2472. Park vehicle entry fee: $5 daily day-use fee or buy a $30, 12-month or $50, 24-month permit for access to all state park day-use areas. Call (541) 888-4902 or (800) 551-6949.Except for aid animals (like seeing-eye dogs), pets must be kept inside your vehicle when you visit to protect the carefully maintained landscape. Thanks.
Park rates (subject to rate changes; winter, emergency or other closures)
October 1 to April 30 (Discovery Season)
Daily day use: $5
Yearly day use: $30
| | May 1 to September 30
Daily day use: $5
Yearly day use: $30
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Services
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Picnicking |
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Wildlife watching |
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Beach access |
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Walking trail |
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Hiking trail |
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Marine |
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Beach |
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Interpretation |
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Interpretive signs |
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Interpretive store |
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ADA restroom |
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Year-round |
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Restrooms |
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