Located near the Oregon-California border, just a short drive south of Brookings, McVay Rock State Recreation Site offers access to a scenic rocky beach. The state park blends a well-maintained grassy area with rugged gravel terrain, alongside a coarse sand beach featuring basaltic lava formations, cliffs, and majestic sea stacks.
A distinctive attraction on the shoreline is a colossal redwood stump firmly embedded in the sand. Climb on top to see the growth rings, which indicate the tree's growth conditions. Widely spaced rings show periods of good conditions, while narrowly spaced rings indicate times of scarcity. Notably, severe winter storms in 2007 moved this redwood stump about 15 feet inland!
McVay Beach, known among avid rock collectors, is an extended gravel bar with some coarse sand areas, offering opportunities to find excellent specimens, including the rare Nephrite Jade.
Rockhounding at McVay Rock State Recreation Site
McVay Rock State Recreation Site is the place to find some of the best minerals on the Oregon Coast.
Agate is the most common gemstone here, coming in a variety of colors from red and orange to clear and blue. The sizes can range from marble-sized pieces to larger rocks, with a higher chance of finding big specimens after winter storms during low tide.
Jasper and Nephrite Jade are also found here, though less commonly than agate. Additionally, you might encounter quartz, chert, serpentinite, and chalcedony, but in much smaller quantities.
The rocky beach is productive for rockhounding year-round, but the best time for all gemstones is still on the low tide after winter storms.
Be sure to check Rules and Rockhounding Regulations for Oregon Coast and Oregon State Parks.
Beyond the Rocks: Exploring the Area
This site has a developed dog park with large manicured green patches of land, so it can be a good picnic spot after you get tired of jumping on slippery rocks.
Brookings, the southernmost town of the Oregon Coast, combines the charm of a small seaside town with incredible outdoor adventures.
The Chetco River, just a short drive away, is a paradise for rockhounding, swimming, kayaking, fishing, and hiking.
Secret Beach, a bit farther north, is a fantastic sandy shore with scenic sea stacks. While the trail to get there is short, it is challenging.
McVay Rock State Recreation Site | Facts
Material: Agate, jasper, quartz, chert, jade, serpentine, and chalcedony
Tools: Sand Dipper Square Scoop
Land type: Gravel and rocky beach
Best time to visit: Year-round
Open: Year-round for day-use
Land Manager: Oregon State Parks
Fees: None
Location: 4 miles southeast of Brookings • Oregon • USA
Road access: Any vehicle
Places to Stay Near McVay Rock State Recreation
Camping is not permitted at the McVay Rock State Recreation Site. The closest lodging options are available in Brookings.
Affordable vacation rentals for short and long term stay in Brookings
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McVay Rock State Recreation Site Directions & Contacts
From Brookings,
- Take US-101 South/Chetco Avenue
- Turn right onto Pedrioli Drive and follow it for 0.7 miles
- Turn left onto Oceanview Drive and follow it for 1.2 miles.
Once you reach a developed parking (accessible by any passenger car), you must take a short hike to the beach. While the trail is relatively steep, it is typical for Oregon coast beaches and should not be a challenge for most adventurers.
Phone: 541-947-2151
stateparks.oregon.gov