PARADISE POINT STATE RECREATION SITE:
is located
north of the Port Orford city limits. Cross the Highway 101 bridge at the
end of town, and turn west on Paradise Point Road. At the end of the road
is the parking lot of the park where storm-watching in winter is enjoyed
by locals and tourists. There is a path at the south end of the parking
lot that leads to the beach where agates, shore fishing, hiking, and enjoying
the scenery are the order of the day. The Orford Reef is about six-miles
offshore where scuba diving is excellent. Paradise Point is bound on the
north end by the Elk River and to the south by Agate Beach and the Headlands.
BLACKLOCK STATE PARK:
The turnoff to Blacklock is just less than seven miles
north of Port Orford on Highway 101, across from Pacific High School. Go
three miles to the Cape Blanco State Airport (a little-used airport built
by the Navy during World War II) and park. A sign points out the trail to
Blacklock Beach, a four-mile loop hike. The trail is the only access to Floras
Lake State Natural Area. It also connects to the Coast Trail. This isolated
beach is perfect for a picnic while you enjoy uninterrupted views of the
rugged coastline and 80-foot high yellow cliffs. The Oregonian Newspaper
wrote that this is the best beach on the Oregon Coast. And the best kept
secret.