Unofficial pullout on U.S. 101 north of Brookings closing June 22
 Several vehicles park in an undeveloped gravel area and on the shoulder of U.S. 101.
June 10, 2026
BROOKINGS – An unofficial pullout along U.S. 101 between Brookings and Gold Beach will be unavailable for parking beginning Monday, June 22. Officials from the Oregon Department of Transportation and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department say use of the area as an entry point to Secret Beach and the Oregon Coast Trail creates safety and environmental hazards.
In the past several years, the undeveloped gravel area along U.S. 101 at milepost 345.4 has seen an increase in visitors. Websites and social media posts encourage people to park on the land adjacent to the highway. However, the location is not maintained by ODOT or OPRD for parking or as an access point to nearby trails. Years of overuse have led to erosion, accumulation of litter and deterioration of the pavement edge.
“There are several reasons for making this change, but our main concern is safety,” said Glen Pederson, district manager at ODOT. “We have heard from local residents, law enforcement and community leaders about crashes and near misses on this stretch of highway, especially during busy times when people are walking and biking on the highway.”
The speed limit on U.S. 101 is 55 mph. Northbound drivers have limited visibility as they approach the area, making it difficult to stop in time to avoid pedestrians, vehicles turning into or out of the location, and overflow vehicles parked on the narrow shoulder. Cyclists using U.S. 101, part of the Oregon Coast Bike Route, must move into traffic to get around parked vehicles.
Crews will extend the guardrail to prevent access beyond the paved highway shoulder. “No Parking” signs will also be installed along both sides of U.S. 101 in the vicinity. Public access remains available from nearby parking lots and trailheads maintained by OPRD.
“Our facilities are designed and maintained for people to park and access the trail safely,” said Justin Helberg, South Coast District Manager at OPRD. “People wishing to hike to Secret Beach don’t have to travel far to reach a designated parking area.”
OPRD maintains four parking lots and trailheads nearby: Arch Rock (Mile 344.8), Spruce Island (Mile 345.0), Thunder Rock Cove (Mile 345.8) and Natural Bridges (Mile 346). There is no fee to park at any of these locations.
OPRD suggests having a flexible plan in case a parking lot is full and you need to continue to the next one. Make sure to check the tide tables and bring water and appropriate hiking gear.
For more information, visit the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor web page.
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