Ona Beach at Brian Booth State Park is one of the most relaxed and scenic beaches on the Central Oregon Coast, with a dramatic natural landscape. It sits right off Highway 101, about 9 miles south of Newport and 7 miles north of Waldport, making it easy to reach while still feeling uncrowded.

Ona Beach is known among rockhounds for a chance to find blue-gray Newport agates, along with jasper, fossils, and other classic Oregon Coast treasures. It is one of several beaches, along with Beverly Beach, Lost Creek, and other areas near Newport, where blue-gray and translucent agates are occasionally found.

The beach features long stretches of cobbles and often gets good gravel exposure after storms. On a favorable low tide, you can walk more than a mile of shoreline, scanning the stones for smooth, glassy agates that catch the light.

If you enjoy rockhounding, Oregon Coast agate hunting, beachcombing, or want a quiet stretch of sand near Newport, this is a spot worth visiting.

Ona Beach Rockhounding

Here you can find agates, including carnelian and Newport Blues, jasper, sea glass, and fossilized clam shells.

Blue agates are rare everywhere, including at Ona Beach.

Most agates here are clear to milky, though carnelians and occasional light gray, blue-gray, or faintly blue pieces do turn up. Deep, vivid blue specimens are especially prized.

The best time for agate hunting is during low tide or after strong storms, when sand is stripped away and fresh gravel bars are exposed. That’s when new stones are easiest to spot.

Even if you don’t leave with a pocket full of agates, you’ll usually find a few good keepers and gain a better feel for this scenic stretch of the Oregon Coast.

Ona Beach offers much more than just rockhounding. Here are some of the best things you can do in and around Brian Booth State Park.

Tide and shoreline exploring - On lower tides, you can walk long stretches of sand, watch the waves roll in, and check the waterline for interesting driftwood and marine life.

Beaver Creek and wildlife - Just inland, Beaver Creek winds through tidal marsh and forest. It’s a great place to look for shorebirds (like sandpipers and sanderlings), larger birds (such as bald eagles and brown pelicans), as well as otters and even harbor seals.

Hiking - Short trails through Brian Booth State Park link the parking lot to the beach and Beaver Creek. The walk is about 0.25 mile to the sand, mostly flat and easy. Forested paths in the Beaver Creek Natural Area give you a quiet break under tall trees if you want to step away from the beach for a while.

Kayaking and canoeing - If you bring a kayak or canoe, Beaver Creek offers calm, scenic paddling, especially in summer. The park has a boat launch, and you can follow the creek for several peaceful bends, spotting birds and wildlife along the banks.

There is no camping at Brian Booth State Park itself, but you have several good options nearby.

Camping is available at Beachside State Recreation Site, about 10 miles south of Ona Beach, with around 32 campsites (some with electric hookups), restrooms with flush toilets and hot showers, picnic areas, and direct beach access.

Just 6 miles north near Newport, South Beach State Park offers over 200 campsites, including tent sites, yurts, and RV spots with full hookups. The park has restrooms and showers, nature trails, a playground, an amphitheater, and an RV dump station.

Newport also has plenty of motels, hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals, many of which are close to the bayfront or the ocean. It makes a great base if you want to combine Ona Beach rockhounding with visits to other nearby beaches and attractions.

Lodging in Newport

Affordable vacation rentals for short and long-term stays in Newport