Whaleshead Beach represents the finest of Oregon beaches without the high winds of beaches to the north or the crowds of beaches to the south.
Our winter weather, moderated by the “Chetco Effect,” never allows the wind and the cold to settle on a beach overflowing with flowers and vegetation all year long. Offshore, within walking distance of the beach at low tide, lies the “sea stack” that looks like the head of a whale.
The giant sea stack is channeled with caves that give the appearance of whale spout whenever struck by a wave earning the sea stack its characteristic name. The moment of the whale spout creates a lasting memento for the lucky photographer. During the whale migrations, the sea beyond Whaleshead becomes a corridor for migrating grey whales (up to 46 feet).
Whaleshead Beach is walking distance from Whaleshead Resort and Spa and easily accessible from the public parking lot on the beach itself. Six miles of hiking trails provide great opportunities to see the local deer, the myriad of ocean birds, seals, medicinal and decorative plants, wild strawberry and huckleberry bushes with a stunning view of the long curved beach.
In addition, Rangers provide daily tours that discuss the plants and animals. Whaleshead Beach itself extends 2 miles to the House Rock Creek trail area and provides a great place for a photo of the ocean over the salmonberry bushes before you settle down for lunch on one of the picnic tables near the restroom area. Small children can play in Whaleshead Creek where it meets the beach or go exploring in the tidal pools for starfish, sea stars, sand dollars, crabs, an occasional octopus and shrimp.
Since our rental cabins are privately owned, each is unique. Some of our units have hot tubs. Some only sleep two, while others sleep up to 10. Many cabins offer a beautiful ocean or Mountain View, or lie nestled in the forest alongside our year-round creek. All our cabins have a TV with cable, coffee maker, toaster, cookware and utensils. Place settings, full sets of blankets for each bed, pillows and many other carefully chosen items make your stay with us as comfortable as possible and, if you need pet accommodations, tell our friendly office staff because we have units that allow pets. Please make our knowledgeable staff aware your preferences so that they will choose the perfect unit for you. Propane is available from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm in the park or the 76 station in Brookings just down the road.
Whaleshead had been in the McNeely family for generations. Homesteaded in the 1800’s by Delmar Colegrove, the property has seen many changes. The original ranch was over 17,000 acres and was mostly sheep and cattle. In the 1950’s the Oregon Highway Department under Samuel Boardman purchased several miles of the Oregon Coast from the Colegroves’ along Whaleshead beach to build this portion of the highway. In the 1964 the main lodge building and restaurant were built by Delmar Colegrove and operated as a restaurant and lounge. In 1983 the grandsons of Delmar Colegrove opened Whaleshead Beach Resort with 60 RV sites. The Resort now has 140 sites that include park model RV sites and regular RV sites.
The Colegrove heirs wanted to build “destination RVs” which remained in one place while the owners moved. Thus, Nor’Wester Park Models were born to take advantage of the existing codes that allowed large Park Model to be situated on RV sites. Although the Park Models at Whaleshead may not seem road worthy, they had to be built at the factory and transported here over the highway. It is said that these units could withstand an earthquake of 7.0 on the Richter scale and, if one can imagine a 60’ unit traveling on a mountain road, this isn’t hard to believe.
In order to provide an opportunity for people to own a Park Model at Whaleshead without having to pay the entire bank-loan, Whaleshead became a managing agent for owners who wanted to put their unit into a “rental pool” in order to take advantage of tax laws governing rental property. Park Models are like large RVs with multiple slides in every respect, the main units are the same size, the lofts are similar, the heating units and plumbing are identical. While many owners think of their units like classical houses, they are, notwithstanding, RVs and subject to the rules for RV construction. In addition, like any other RV park, the RV space is rented and not the property of the Park Model owner.
Rumors that Bigfoot lurks near the coastal areas have resulted from confusing the area with the Umatilla Indian Reservation to the north.
The coastal dunes and thick forest are habitat for the falcon, the American Kestrel, the Bald Eagle and the coastal Bobcat. With luck, one might see the Giant Pacific Salamander (15 inches) in one of the many creeks flowing into the ocean.
As one finds in any quality RV, the park models come fully-equipped but have decks added on the outside which often accommodate hot tubs and picnic tables.
The RVs are large enough to be pet friendly and many unit owners who rent their cabins allow pets. Please ask our Front Desk Agent about a particular unit.
SUMMER RATES APPLY MAY 1 – SEPTEMBER 30 AND ALL MAJOR AND THREE DAY HOLIDAYS
LATE CHECK-INS PLEASE MAKE ARRANGEMENTS PRIOR TO ARRIVAL.
For more information please contact us at 541-469-7446
