Cape Kiwanda opens new fenced trail to better views, hoping to limit deaths, accidents

One of the most beautiful but troubled places on the Oregon Coast opened a new fenced trail on Thursday that aims to allow hikers better views while keeping them safe from danger. 

Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area, which saw seven tragic deaths from 2009 to 2016, debuted a newly designed fenced trail that allows hikers farther out on the scenic but unstable cape in Pacific City. 

In the past, hikers frequently climbed a dune near Pelican Brew Pub and were met by an old fence that blocked access to the entire cape. The fence was widely ignored, with many people crossing it, and leading to a high rate of accidents in an area where waves crash onto sandstone cliffs being eroded by the ocean.  

The newly designed fence offers a narrow pathway out to views of the ocean and unique geology, in the hopes that it will lead to fewer people going into the most dangerous spots. 

“We want visitors to enjoy better views without being tempted to cross a fence,” park manager Jason Elkins said. The new design was approved in 2016 in the wake of public meetings and a report that examined the cause of so many accidents at the cape. 

Cape Kiwanda is also the site where the well-known Duckbill Rock, or Pedestal Rock, was knocked over in 2016. Police never made arrests following an investigation. 

In-depth:Mystery of Cape Kiwanda's Duckbill Rock destruction still unsolved after investigation

There have been no fatal accidents at Cape Kiwanda since 2016 and the number of rescues have declined, James Oeder, division chief for Nestucca Rural Fire Protection District, told the Statesman Journal in 2019, due partly to a ranger patrolling the fence. 

“It has improved drastically," Oeder said. “The changes that Oregon Parks made in having rangers out there made a big difference.”

Parking on beach at Cape Kiwanda officially outlawed

The new fence wasn't the only move toward safety at Cape Kiwanda.

In a move debated for years, officials also announced the official closure of driving and parking on the beach at Cape Kiwanda and clarified where it was allowed and not allowed in the surrounding areas. 

The reason for the move was the quickly-growing crowds at the beach that led to a number of close calls between beach walkers and drivers, officials said. 

More:Cape Kiwanda opens new fenced trail to better views, hoping to limit deaths, accidents

“This change moves nearly all the motor vehicles to designated parking areas off the beach on the south side of Cape Kiwanda,” said Park Manager Jason Elkins. “It’s great seeing families having a natural experience on the beach without dodging cars.”

New maps show that beach driving is outlawed around the main, popular area of Cape Kiwanda near Pelican Brew Pub, unless people are loading or unloading dory boats. Beach driving becomes legal south of Pacific Avenue to Porter Point.  

Beach driving also is legal north of the Cape Kiwanda dune, away from the heaviest crowds and then illegal from Tierra Del Mar north to Sand Lake. 

Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter, photographer and videographer in Oregon for 13 years. To support his work, subscribe to the Statesman Journal. Urness can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors.