Haystack Rock is protected as part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge as well as a designated National Wilderness Area.  This 235 foot tall basalt monolith is located in Cannon Beach and considered to be one of the largest free standing rocks in the world. 

The area below the rock is referred to as a Marine Garden.  The boundaries of this area are between the extreme high tide line and extreme low tide line within a 300 yard radius from the base of Haystack Rock.  That’s the length of three football fields!  The tide pools in the Marine Garden are dynamic areas rich with marine life such as sea stars, anemones, crabs, algae, and many others. 

Collecting is strictly prohibited and it is crucial to be aware and use extreme caution while walking in these areas.  The marine life in and around the Marine Garden is very vulnerable to human disturbance, and research shows that in a small area everything can be killed with just 200 steps an hour.  So please be careful and try to walk only on bare rock.  Barnacles are animals too!

In addition to the diverse ecosystem of the rocky inter-tidal, Haystack Rock is a vital habitat for an abundance of seabirds.  Here there over 2,000 seabirds that nest on Haystack Rock each year.  While viewing the rock from shore you might see the Tufted puffin, Pigeon guillemot, Black oystercatcher, Pelagic cormorant and others.  These birds are extremely sensitive to human disturbance.  Getting too close to them can result in nest abandonment, dead chicks, and failure to reproduce. 

Climbing is not allowed anywhere on Haystack Rock, not only for the safety of the birds but for your safety as well!  Federal and state law requires boats to remain at least 5oo feet away and any aircraft (including gliders) must stay at a minimum of 2,000 ft. AGL.