A unique sight on the Oregon Coast, the Spouting Horn in Cook’s Chasm is a geyser-like blowhole. Crashing waves shoot through a crevice in the rocky coastline, sending a mist of salt water shooting high into the air. It’s really quite a sight to see, but you have to time your visit just right in order to see it. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about how to see the Spouting Horn at Cook’s Chasm, as well as a few other can’t miss sights nearby!
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Cook’s Chasm & the Spouting Horn in Oregon
Cook’s Chasm is a narrow inlet made of jagged volcanic rock off the Oregon Coast just south of Yachats. The wave-battered rocky coastline is a dramatic sight, especially at high tide when crashing water creates a turbulent churn and loud, thundering sounds. The most notable geological feature is a blowhole known as the Spouting Horn, that resembles that of a geyser in Yellowstone when it “erupts”.
The Spouting Horn is a large crevice carved out of the volcanic rock that lines Cook’s Chasm. When the waves crash just right, water rushes through the hole creating a spray of salty water that shoots straight up into the air. As water hits rock, the loud echo followed by light whoosh as the Spouting Horn shoots up is a sight worth seeing.
Where is Cook’s Chasm & the Spouting Horn?
Cook’s Chasm and the Spouting Horn are located just south of Cape Perpetua and about 5 minutes from Yachats, a small town near the center of the Oregon coast. Other nearby towns include Waldport (20 minutes north), Newport (40 minutes north), and Florence (30 minutes south).
Cook’s Chasm and the Spouting Horn are part of the Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve, the largest marine reserve in Oregon that stretches from Yachats to Searose Beach. This means that harvesting of seaweed or gathering of animals is prohibited in the area.
If you’re taking a road trip along the Oregon Coast or staying in Florence or Yachats, Cook’s Chasm and the Spouting Horn are definitely worth a quick stop.
Nearby: Thor’s Well
The Spouting Horn is often overshadowed by its neighbor: Thor’s Well, a massive sinkhole where water bulges out and then appears to disappear underground. In fact, we visited the area looking for Thor’s Well and were pleasantly surprised to find the Spouting Horn!
From the viewpoint for the Spouting Horn, you can see Thor’s Well just to the north and it’s possible to walk out further on to the rocks to get up close. If you decide to do so, as getting too close to Thor’s Well can be dangerous.
Other oregon Resources
Looking for more to do on the Oregon Coast?! We’ve got lots of resources to help you plan your trip!
Highlights
- Unique geological formations
- Quick and easy stop
- Beautiful rocky coastline
Lowlights
- This popular area tends to be crowded
- You have to time your visit with the tides in order to see the Spouting Horn
Map of Cook’s Chasm & Spouting Horn
The map below displays the location of Cook’s Chasm, the Spouting Horn and other landmarks nearby.
- To view more details about each location, click on the marker on the map.
- To save this map for future use, click the star next to the title. From your phone, open the Google Maps app and click the “saved” tab, followed by the “Maps” icon. From your Gmail account, navigate to Maps –> “Saved” –> “My Maps” –> “Maps” tab.
- To email this map to yourself, click the three dots in the upper right corner.
When to visit the Spouting Horn at Cook’s Chasm
The weather on the Oregon Coast stays fairly mild year round, meaning Cook’s Chasm and the Spouting Horn are accessible any time of year. During the summer (June through September), you can expect slightly warmer temperatures but average high’s typically don’t exceed 70 degrees.
In the winter (November through February), average high temperatures top out in the upper 40’s and lower 50’s making for chillier, but still typically pleasant for outdoor adventures.
For the best chance at seeing the Spouting Horn “erupt”, you’ll want to plan your visit during high tide. When the tide is low, the waves typically don’t crash high enough to cause that burst of water through the Spouting Horn’s crevice.
Tip | Check high and low tide times at Cook’s Chasm before you go.
Tide Pools near Cook’s Chasm
The rocky coastline around Cook’s Chasm is ripe with tide pools. These tide pools are often home to unique sea creatures, like sea urchins, star fish, crabs and anemone. Although it’s best to visit Cook’s Chasm at high tide to see the Spouting Horn, the tide pools are best accessed at low tide.
Just remember that this is a protected marine area, so it’s prohibited to take any animals or seaweed.
How to get to the Spouting Horn
The Spouting Horn and Cook’s Chasm are easily accessible via a short hike. There are a few different variations of hikes that include the spouting Horn which we will cover below.
Captain Cook Loop Trail
- Distance | 0.75 miles
- Elevation gain | 100 feet
Find this hike on AllTrails: Captain Cook Loop
We would recommend visiting the Spouting Horn via the Captain Cook Trail, an easy 0.75 mile round trip loop that is paved and wheelchair accessible. There is a small parking area on the side of the Oregon Coast Highway that fits a few cars that provides the most direct access to the Captain Cook Loop trailhead. This parking area is sometimes labeled as Thor’s Well Trailhead.
From the parking area, hiking clockwise leads directly to the Spouting Horn. From the Spouting Horn, the trail continues past Thor’s Well and a number of beautiful tidepools before circling back to the trailhead.
Tip | Note that parking here is limited. If you aren’t able to secure a spot, it’s also possible to park at the Cape Cove Trailhead Parking lot, which adds just a short distance to the Captain Cook Loop. The Cape Perpetua Visitor Center also has plenty of parking and provides access to a trail that connects to the Captain Cook Trail, adding about half a mile round trip.
Spouting Horn Out & Back
- Distance | 0.25 miles
- Elevation gain | 80 feet
If you’re looking to just make a quick stop, hiking out and back to the Spouting Horn viewpoint (without completing the full Captain Cook Loop) is just a quick quarter-mile round trip hike from the Thor’s Well Trailhead.
This is a good option if you’re pressed for time, and also allows you to see Thor’s Well from a distance.
Devil’s Churn, Cape Cove & Captain Cook Loop
- Distance | 1.6 miles
- Elevation gain | 250 feet
Find this hike on AllTrails | Devil’s Churn, Trail of the Restless Way, & Captain Cook Loop
To see even more of the coastline near Cook’s Chasm, try this 1.6 mile loop trail that starts from the Devil’s Churn parking area and leads to the Spouting Horn viewpoint. The Devil’s Churn is another narrow rocky inlet on the Oregon Coast, where crashing waves produce an audible echo and create a swirling cauldron of foamy water!
This 1.6 mile loop combines the Trail of the Restless Way, Cape Cove Trail, and Captain Cook Trail, allowing you to see Devil’s Churn, Thor’s Well, the Spouting Horn and numerous tide pools along the way all in one short hike.
A $5 per day fee is required to park at Devil’s Churn. The parking fee is also covered by the annual U.S. National Parks pass.
Tip | This entire area from Cook’s Chasm and Spouting Horn to Devil’s Churn is prime territory for whale watching, especially during the whale migrations that occur from February to March and October to November each year. We saw multiple whales during our time exploring the area. Pack a pair of binoculars for the best shot at seeing them!
Things to know before you go
In summary, here are a few important tips before you visit the Spouting Horn at Cook’s Chasm.
- Plan your visit during high tide for the best chance at seeing the Spouting Horn blowhole. For tide pooling near Cook’s Chasm, visit at low tide.
- The trail to the Spouting Horn viewpoint is paved and wheelchair accessible.
- For the easiest access to the Spouting Horn, park here for a quarter mile round trip hike. For a longer 1.6 mile hike, along the coast park at Devil’s Churn.
- If you decide to venture off the trail onto the rocks, use caution as the waves in the area are extremely powerful and tides can come in quickly.
- Don’t miss out on seeing nearby Thor’s Well.
- The closest town to the Spouting Horn is Yachats, Oregon.
Other things to do nearby
There are plenty of other awesome hikes and things to do on the Oregon Coast in close proximity to Cook’s Chasm. Below we’ll highlight a few of our favorites in the area.
Cape Perpetua Lookout
The Cape Perpetua Lookout is a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the rocky shoreline, located just 5 minutes from the trailhead for Cook’s Chasm.
In fact, from the lookout, you can even see Cook’s Chasm and Devil’s Churn in the distance. You can drive up to the Cape Perpetua Lookout or take a 2.7 mile roundtrip hike from the Cape Perpetua Visitor’s Center.
Yachats
Yachats is a cute little coastal town just a few minutes from the Captain Cook Trail. For an ice cold beer and the best fish and chips we’ve ever tasted, be sure to stop by the Luna Sea Fish House in Yachats after your hike!
Heceta Head Lighthouse
Located about 15 minutes South of the Spouting Horn is the Heceta Head Lighthouse. Perched high up on the rocky coastline, the Heceta Head Lighthouse is a beautiful sight.
You can walk a short distance to see the lighthouse up close, or enjoy it from afar at a viewpoint along the Oregon Coast highway.
Hobbit Beach & Hobbit Trail
Located between Cook’s Chasm and Heceta Head Lighthouse, the Hobbit Trail is a short 0.5 mile round trip hike through a mossy green forest that leads to the secluded Hobbit Beach. The wide sandy beach features views of the Heceta Head cliffs and is certainly worth the quick strip.
Other Oregon Resources
Looking for more incredible hikes and things to do in Oregon? You may also be interested in the following:
- The Hobbit Trail in Oregon: Hike to a Secluded Beach
- 24 Can’t Miss Things to do in Bandon, Oregon
- How to Hike God’s Thumb: the Best Trail on the Oregon Coast
- 21 Amazing Things to Do in Coos Bay, Oregon
- How to Visit Thor’s Well: A Mysterious Ocean Cauldron
- Why Oceanside is Worth a Visit: Hidden Gem on the Oregon Coast
- How to Visit Secret Beach: An Off-the-Beaten Path Hike in Oregon
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