Fogarty Creek State Recreation Area, 3 miles north of Depoe Bay and 10 miles south of Lincoln City, is a productive and scenic rockhounding spot.

Fogarty Beach, part of the recreation area, is a scenic cove beach bisected by Fogarty Creek. This agate-rich beach features interesting rock formations and is sheltered by surrounding cliffs, which protect it from strong winds.

The beach is small and narrow at its edges, so it's crucial to watch for tide changes and sneaker waves. Sudden waves can catch you off guard, pushing you against the rocks or sweeping you into the ocean.

Fogarty Creek State Recreation Area sits right off Highway 101 and is easy to access. The beach has two access points from the south and north sides of the creek. Those two areas are marked as North Fogarty Creek and South Fogarty Creek.

The north parking area is the shortest hike to the beach, leading you under the highway bridge along Fogarty Creek.

Fogarty Creek Rockhounding

Fogarty Beach is made up of coarse sand with gravel bars at Fogarty Creek and the northern cliffs. Despite being mostly sandy, it's an excellent place to find agates. You can also find jasper, petrified wood, and invertebrate fossils.

The ideal time to hunt for gemstones is between November and April when winter storms and powerful tides remove the top layers of sand. However, interesting finds can be made year-round.

If you would be willing to get in the water, the creek-bed is also a very productive place. No any tools is needed to collect beach rocks but Sand Dipper Square Scoop might be helpful.

Check Rules and Rockhounding Regulations for Oregon Coast and Oregon State Parks before collecting. Note that a permit is required to collect vertebrate fossils.

Fogarty Creek State Recreation Area is not only a great spot for rockhounding but also offers other recreational activities, making it a wonderful destination for a day trip.

The beach is a good spot for surfing, picnicking, nature viewing, beachcombing, exploring tide pools, bird watching, and fishing.

The site has picnic tables and a covered picnic shelter in the shade of the coastal trees. The wooden bridge over the creek connects North and South Parking Areas.

Fogarty Beach is a popular and well-known spot, so it can get crowded during the summer months and weekends.

Located 10 miles away, Lincoln City is a charming coastal city offering a perfect blend of outdoor adventure and delightful dining experiences.