Nelscott Beach is a long, sandy stretch of coastline in Lincoln City, located between the Siletz Bay and the D River.
The beach extends for about three miles, offering a wide, flat shoreline ideal for walking, exploring, and ocean activities. This scenic stretch is popular for outdoor recreation, including rockhounding, beachcombing, tidepool exploration, surfing, fishing, and hiking along the coast.
As part of Lincoln City, Nelscott Beach also reflects the town’s lively coastal atmosphere, with nearby festivals, seafood restaurants, and local breweries.
Nelscott Beach Rockhounding
Nelscott Beach is a popular spot for rockhounding, known for finds such as agate, jasper, and occasional fossil fragments.
While some minerals can be found during summer, many of the beach’s treasures are buried under sand. Winter is the best time for rockhounding, when storms and strong tides shift the shoreline and reveal new material.
Both the northern and southern ends of the beach feature gravel bars, which are often the most productive areas for finding agates and other stones.
Things to Do at Nelscott Beach: Beyond the Rocks
Festivals and Events
Lincoln City hosts a variety of events throughout the year, with many taking place in summer and fall. Popular highlights include the Kite Festival, Clamming and Crabbing Clinics, and Taft Beach Sandcastle Contest.
Finders Keepers
The Finders Keepers Glass Floats program runs from mid-October through Memorial Day. During this time, 3,000 hand-blown glass floats are hidden along seven miles of Lincoln City beaches, including Nelscott Beach. Visitors are invited to search for and keep these unique treasures.
Wildlife Watching
This stretch of coast is a great place to observe marine wildlife, especially harbor seals near the mouth of Siletz Bay. Large groups of seals can often be seen resting on rocks or swimming nearby. Bring binoculars for a closer look at their natural behavior.
Surfing
The coastline around Lincoln City is popular with surfers thanks to consistent wave conditions. Nelscott Reef, located about a mile offshore, is known for producing powerful waves during major winter swells, sometimes reaching impressive heights.
When conditions align, the Nelscott Reef Big Wave Classic draws experienced surfers from around the world.
Nelscott Beach | Facts
Material: Agate, jasper, and sea shells
Tools: Sand Dipper Square Scoop
Land type: Sandy beach with gravel
Best time to visit: Year-round, most productive between November and April
Land manager: Lincoln City
Fees: None
Location: Lincoln City • Oregon • USA
Road access: Any vehicle
Places to Stay Near Nelscott Beach
Camping is not allowed at Nelscott Beach. The nearest campground is at Devil's Lake State Recreation Area, which offers a range of amenities and outdoor activities, including fishing, boating, and hiking.
For those seeking convenient access to the beach, Lincoln City provides a wide variety of lodging options.
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Nelscott Beach Directions
From Highway 101 in Lincoln City,
- Take 35th Street and go to the small parking area.
For Canyon Drive City Park from 35th Street the parking area,
- Follow north along the coastline on SW Anchor Avenue for 0.6 miles to SW Coast Avenue
- Bear right and continue 0.7 miles to the park.