The cute town of Newport, Oregon, surrounded by jaw dropping scenery, is packed with great seafood restaurants, art galleries, gift shops, marinas, lighthouses and outdoor activities. For vacationers, exploring Newport, Oregon is an amazing experience.
For photographers, Newport is exhilarating but can also be a bit overwhelming since there are so many different subjects to photograph in a short time. For those of you visiting Newport, Oregon for the first time, this post will guide you to all Newport’s top photo spots at the best times for photography.
Here you will find an overview of the top Newport areas to photograph, how long to stay in the Newport area, when to visit and what photo gear to pack. I also include recommendations for my favorite chowder in Newport, Oregon.
Where is Newport, Oregon
Newport, Oregon is located on the Central Coast of Oregon on the Pacific Ocean and the Yaquina Bay.
Directions: Newport is 132 miles south west of Portland. Taking Interstate 5 south to Highway 20 west from Portland, it should be about a 2 1/2 hour drive depending on traffic.
About Newport Oregon
Newport, Oregon is a favorite destination of Oregonians and visitors from all over the United States, especially in summer due to its cooler temperatures. Even though the year round population of Newport is just over 10,000 people, that number can easily double in summer months.
Newport is also a world class fishing and crabbing center and also home to the Oregon Coast Aquarium, the Yaquina Bay Bridge and Marina, an historic and quant Old Town, mouth watering seafood, famous breuwery and two lighthouses.
Newport Oregon- Things to Know Before You Go
Weather
The weather in Newport can be foggy, cool to cold, and always damp year round. Even though June through September temperatures are generally warmer with less rain, don’t let that fool you. The Oregon Coast can still be very cold, even in July. I once spent an entire summer on Oregon’s coast and rarely saw a day above 61.
So please pack clothes that can be layered as I detail below.
Here is a chart of Newport’s average temperatures and rainfall by month.
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 51 | 39 | 10.24 |
| February | 53 | 39 | 8.7 |
| March | 55 | 40 | 7.76 |
| April | 57 | 41 | 4.88 |
| May | 60 | 45 | 3.66 |
| June | 63 | 48 | 2.72 |
| July | 65 | 51 | 1.02 |
| August | 66 | 51 | 1.02 |
| September | 65 | 49 | 2.4 |
| October | 61 | 45 | 5.16 |
| November | 55 | 42 | 10.67 |
| December | 51 | 39 | 11.38 |
Best Times to Visit
Summer– The summer months will offer the best temperatures and less rainfall as well as beautiful wildflowers. However, the coast is packed with tourists making it difficult to find lodging or camping spots. Also the fog layer due to inversion precludes most sunrise and sunset photo opportunities.
Early Fall- One will generally find fewer tourists and less fog in fall. Smoke from lingering summer wildfires, however, can be problematic. If the wildfires are not too bad, later September to early October can be a good time to photograph the Newport area.
Late Fall and Winter – Although it will be cooler and there will be more rain, winter can be a great time to photograph the Oregon Coast. Winter storms bring more dramatic skies and high crashing waves which are great for photography. Some services, however, are only open on limited hours in the off season.
So no, I did not give you a best time to visit as each season has something to offer photographers along with its challenges. Only you will know what works for you. Personally, after visiting in summer and very early fall, my next trip will be in winter.
How Long to Stay
Newport has so many amazing places to photograph that one could easily spend a month in this area and not run out of things to photograph. However, since many of you reading this may have time constraints, I recommend spending a minimum of 3 days and up to 7 days photographing the Newport, area.
This time frame should allow you to plan for weather delays and also photograph most subjects at the best time of day.
What to Bring
Photo Gear
Clothes
Other
Although some areas in Newport, Oregon such as the Old Town Harbor are walkable, other photo destinations we are going to explore will require a car. Additionally some areas such as the Yaquina Head Light and the Aquarium have an entrance fee.
As I discuss each area below, I will provide links to any fees or parking permits so you can be sure to have the latest information.
Newport Oregon- Best Photo Spots
Now let’s begin to explore Newport, Oregon and learn about all the best photo spots around the city. So let’s our photography tour of Newport in Newport’s Old Town and Harbor.
Newport Historic Bayfront
Located on the northeast side of the Yaquina Bay Bridge is Newport’s historic S.E. Bay Boulevard fishing village which is full of photographic opportunities for travel photographers.
Old warehouses have new life as seafood restaurants or beautiful art galleries. Boats of every size and shape dock at Newport’s Old Town marinas and their docks are filled with endless stacks of crab cages, buoys and ropes.
Amidst all this, sea lions are known to hang out on the docks.
For travel and nautical photographers, one could easily spend an entire day just in this one area. If time is limited, I suggest visiting the Old Town and Harbor area in the morning for the best photo light.
Photo Tip: As you enter the Old Town area of Newport, there is a Bay Street Pier that offers views of the harbor and Yaquina Bay Bridge.
Fees: Other than parking, one should not incur any fees to enter most shops or docks in this area.
Yaquina Bay State Recreation Area
Once you have finished photographing the Old Town section of Newport, head west to the Yaquina Bay State Recreation Area. This area includes the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse Park and the Yaquina Beaches along with good views of the Yaquina Bay Bridge. To learn more about this area, please visit Yaquina Bay Recreation Area.
Costs: Parking was free the last time I was there but be sure to check as this is a state park day use area.
How Long: Photographing this area should not take longer than 1 to 1.5 hours as long as you arrive in good light conditions.
Let’s start by photographing the bridge.
Yaquina Bay Bridge
The Yaquina Bay Bridge is one of 11 major bridges on the Oregon Coast and one of the most popular bridges to photograph. It is an arch span that goes over Yaquina Bay just south of the downtown area of Newport, Oregon.
Although the bridge can be photographed from a number of locations, Yaquina Bay State Park is one of the best areas from which to photograph the bridge. If coming from the Coastal Highway, take the state park exit and you will come upon a couple pull offs as well as a trail to the water’s edge all offering different vantage points of the bridge.
Note: You can also photograph the bridge from a pull-off on the east side of the Coastal Highway directly by the bridge.
I recommend parking on the west side of the bridge in one of the areas I have circled in red on the following map. Here you will be standing close to the edge of a steep cliff and may encounter areas with high shrubs you will have to work around. Please use caution as you move around this area to avoid falling.
Photo Tip: Note the red arrow. This is to let you know that the photo corresponding to this spot on google maps is actually taken on the east side of the Coastal Highway, not the west side as marked below.
Best Time to Photography: Photos of the bridge from this location are best shot in the afternoon light but avoid very late afternoon times when sections of the bridge will have shadows.
Best Lens: Be sure to have both wide angle lens and also lens in the range of 70-200mm. Wide angle lens are good for creating shots such as the above photo while longer telephoto lens will help you capture cool architectural shots from the underside of the bridge.
Yaquina Bay Lighthouse
The photo opportunities from this park do not stop here though as the area also has the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse to photograph. Do not confuse this lighthouse with the famous Yaquina Head Light that is just a few miles north of this location.
The Yaquina Bay Lighthouse is definitely not the most photogenic Oregon lighthouse but it’s uniqueness makes it a definite photo stop. In fact it is thought to be the oldest wooden structure in Newport and also the only lighthouse with attached living quarters in Oregon.
Did I mention it is free to tour?
Hours of Operation: Open from 12-4 p.m. during March through September except holidays. Winter hours: closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Best Times: The lighthouse is best photographed in the afternoon light from fall to early spring.
Parking: There is a large parking area that will allow you to access the lighthouse and beaches.
Yaquina Bay State Recreation Area Beaches
If you are still searching for more things to photograph after capturing the bridge and lighthouse, the beaches of Yaquina Bay Recreation Area are calling you. Short and well maintained trails will take you down to the beach from the parking lot for coastal photography opportunities.
Port of Newport Marina
Our third stop on our exploring Newport, Oregon photo spots finds us traveling south over the Yaquina Bay Bridge to the Port of Newport Marina and RV Park. This area is also known as South Beach and is home to a public fishing pier, an RV park, public marina, Roque Ales and Spirits, Oregon Coast Aquarium and a number of interesting cool shops.
Parking: Parking for vehicles is $5 a day. To find the latest information be sure to visit the Port of Newport Marina and RV site.
Things to photograph from the Port include:
Yaquina Bay Bridge (again)
As previously mentioned, the Port of Newport has one of the most popular places from which to photograph the Yaquina Bay Bridge. At sunset, walking along the Port’s Newport Municipal Crabbing and Fishing Pier will take you to good locations from which to photograph Yaquina Bay Bridge at sunset.
Note: Although this location is good for sunsets anytime of year, it is best photographed in fall or spring when the sun sets somewhere towards to middle sections of the bridge. The following photo was taken in July when the sun was too far north for a great image. See white labels for sun positions.
Boats and Docks
For you nautical photographers, the Port of Newport Marina has tons of great photo subjects.
Although this area has quite a number of locations from which to photograph the docked boats, I found the northeast side of the marina in morning light to be my favorite location. Also this is where you will find a pretty paddleboat called the Newport Belle as shown in one the below images.
Rogue Ale and Spirits Brewery
Yes, I have included the Rogue Ale and Spirits Brewery on a list of photo subjects. While you are on the fishing pier photographing the bridge at sunset, it is a great time to capture some local Oregon travel shots such as the one below.
South Jetty Park
South Jetty is an Oregon State Park directly by South Beach State Park which can be confusing. The park is west of the Coastal Highway across from the Port of Newport Marina and features a drivable road that follows the jetties on Yaquina Bay. In addition to providing another place from which to photograph the Yaquina Bay Bridge, the park is also a place to ride horses, fish and go clamming and photograph sunsets.
I should note that the one issue I have when photographing the bridge from this location is that images created from this location show that the bridge is not all one color. This may not bother you but I prefer the other photo locations for the Yaquina Bay Bridge for this reason.
Photo Tip: This is definitely a late afternoon to evening photo spot and best when the sun in not is the northern sky. I was there at the wrong time but decided to capture the bridge anyway which resulted in a OK but not great image as seen below.
Fees: Access to South Jetty requires a day use fee for $5 or an annual pass.
How Long: I would plan on about an hour to explore this area and again it is best visited in the late afternoon or at sunset.
Oregon Coast Aquarium
Close to the Port of Newport Marina and RV Park is the Oregon Coast Aquarium. I have only visited the aquarium once and made a very bad mistake. I did not take any pictures because I was rushing through it.
This Aquarium is a great place to photograph seashores, jelly fish and more so please make time to visit and allow enough time to take pictures. Here is a link to some photos of jelly fish by Tom Dempsey taken at the Aquarium that I wish I had seen before I visited it: Oregon Coast Aquarium jelly fish photos.
Photography Spots Just South of Newport
Seal Rock
About 10 miles south of Newport, Oregon is a beautiful beach area called Seal Rock that is a great photography spot in the mornings when the sunlight hits to rocks. This area is also a good place to photograph marine life in tidal pools a low tide or to catch a beautiful sunset.
Fees: If I remember correctly this is another day use area that is $5 a day or you will need a state park pass.
How Long: Plan on spending at least an hour or longer in this location, especially at low tide.
For photographers with longer lens, these rocks are also home to seals, sea lions, and a number of shore birds.
Photography Spots West and North of Newport
Nye Beach
Nye Beach -The historic town of Nye Beach is actually minutes west of Newport and is home to the arts, good restaurants, interesting shops, some photogenic victorian homes and also beach front lodging. On the north end of Nye Beach is a view across the ocean of the Yaquina Head Light. Although there are better locations from which to photograph this lighthouse, this location does offer a bit of a different composition.
Besides, the food at the Chowder Bowl Restaurant is so worth the visit to Nye Beach!
Yaquina Head Light
Just 5 miles north of Newport, Oregon is one of Oregon’s most spectacular lighthouse, the Yaquina Head Lighthouse. This lighthouse and it’s surrounding areas are so beautiful that I dedicated an entire post to how to photograph it. So instead of repeating information again, let me refer you to my Yaquina Head Lighthouse Photo Guide that goes into great detail about not only photographing the lighthouse but the entire Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area.
This lighthouse is a don’t miss photo spot which I recommend allocating at least half a day to photograph.
Devils Punchbowl
Devils Punchbowl is located in Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area about 8 miles north of Newport on 122 First Street in Otter Rock, Oregon. The area was named for the hollow oval shaped rock that resembles a punchbowl. The entire area is beautiful and definitely worth photographing especially from inside the punchbowl.
To learn more about this very cool area, please check out: Devils’s Punchbowl.
The best way to photograph Devil’s Punchbowl is to arrive at low tide on either a party cloudy day or around midway if at all possible. Upon arriving, first photograph the punchbowl from the overlook directly by the parking lot. From this vantage point you will need to sun to be high in the sky to illuminate as much of the inside to the rock as possible. I did find, however, there was no way to completely eliminate all the shadows.
Next take the stairs and trial to your south to head down to the beach and walk a short distance back north to go inside the punchbowl where you can photograph marine life and also portions of the rock. Again, let me remind you to only do this on a low outgoing tide and also be aware of sneaker waves that can occur at any time on the Oregon Coast.
Photo Tip: Bring the widest angle lens you own and also a macro lens if you have one to photograph this area. I find my 16-35mm lens worked best here.
Fees: This is another Oregon State Day Use Area.
How Long: If you are photographing at low tide, plan on spending about 1 1/2 to 2 hours in this area. If you are there at any other time, about 30 minutes will be all you need to capture the punchbowl.
Photographing Newport Oregon Final Thought
As you can tell, Newport, Oregon has many wonderful photography spots for photographers. If you can possibly spend a week in this area, I highly recommend it. Besides, anytime you visit the Oregon Coast, you should factor in additional time for it’s unpredictable weather.
Speaking of Oregon Coast weather, remember to pack in layers and include waterproof outer layers as well as warm clothes and waterproof footwear so that you can safely photograph all the amazing coastal subjects. Lastly manage expectations and be prepared to change photo subjects based on weather as the coast offers wonderful photo opportunities for all types of weather.
For those of you with more time to spend on the Oregon Coast let me suggest you also read my 6 Oregon Coast Lighthouse Photo Guide.
Oh, before I end this post, let me also mention that the coast can be very windy so be sure to bring weights of some type to secure your tripod so all your gear does not go swimming. For those of you that do not own a tripod you may want to check out my Guide to Selecting a Tripod as you will definitely want to bring a tripod.
As always thanks for visiting my site and be sure to check back often for new information about new photo destinations.
All information and images on this site are copyrighted and can’t be reproduced without my expressed written consent.
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Do you have pictures of the Newport Bridge like in your #1 comment? I am looking for a large canvas photo 30 x 90 inches. How do I access photos to use?