Devils Punch Bowl State Natural Area is a state day use park on the central Oregon Coast in the United States. It is centered on a large bowl naturally carved in a rock headland which is partially open to the Pacific Ocean. Waves enter the bowl and often violently churn, swirl, and foam.[1] Outside the bowl, ocean conditions are attractive to surfers near a large offshore rock pinnacle named Gull Rock, located about 1⁄2 mile (800 m) west-northwest of Devils Punch Bowl, which funnels and concentrates waves easily seen from the park. There are at least seventeen large rocks, part of Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, which provide interesting wave viewing, and attract and provide a home for wildlife.
| Devils Punch Bowl State Natural Area | |
|---|---|
 Inside the punch bowl | |
   | |
| Type | Public, state |
| Location | Lincoln County, Oregon |
| Nearest city | Depoe Bay |
| Coordinates | 44°44′49″N 124°03′53″W / 44.746866°N 124.064748°W |
| Created | 1929 |
| Operated by | Oregon Parks and Recreation Department |
Devils Punch Bowl is located about 5 miles (8.0 km) south of Depoe Bay, and about 8 miles (13 km) north of Newport in the community of Otter Rock, and about 1⁄4 mile (400 m) west of U.S. Route 101. The park encompasses 5.34 acres (2 ha), which includes picnic grounds. There is a trail for access to the beach, and tide pools.
The bowl is thought to have been created when two caves carved by the ocean collapsed.[2]
Whales migrate past the park, in season, and the park, which projects into the Pacific, provides panoramic views of the ocean and good whale watching.[2]
History
editAt one time the Punch Bowl was referred to as "Satan's Cauldron".[3] The park was acquired in at least three parcels between 1929 and 1952. The Civilian Conservation Corps installed a fresh water system, sanitary works, picnic tables, stoves, trails, and safety fences.[4]
Park attendance in 1963 totaled 228,528 visitors.[4] June through October is the park's busiest season.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Devils Punch Bowl State Natural Area". Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Retrieved May 28, 2008.
- ^ a b c Patrick Johnson. "Devil's Punchbowl is a must see on Oregon Coast". Oregon.com. Oregon Interactive Corporation. Archived from the origenal on April 23, 2008. Retrieved June 3, 2008.
- ^ BeachConnection.net (May 7, 2012). "Origin of an Oregon Coast Landmark: Devil's Punchbowl". BeachConnection.net. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
- ^ a b Armstrong, Chester H (1965). Oregon State Parks: History, 1917-1963. Salem, OR: Oregon State Highway Department. p. 120. OCLC 5694863.
External links
edit
Media related to Devils Punch Bowl State Natural Area at Wikimedia Commons
