Oregon Coast Hiking Hotspot Closes Briefly: Saddle Mountain Near Seaside, Hwy 26 Traffic Affected

Published 04/28/25 at 6:55 p.m.
By Andre' GW Hagestedt, Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Seaside, Oregon) – A favorite Oregon coast hike will be down for a few days in May. Oregon officials will be temporarily closing the Saddle Mountain State Natural Area off Highway 26 near Seaside to remove hazardous trees in the area. (Photo OPRD)

The project also means intermittent lane closures on Highway 26 and Saddle Mountain Road for the first few days of the project. All this begins on May 6 with the hiking trail and natural area expected to reopen on May 10.

It's a project that combines the efforts of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) and Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) .

“The collaboration gives OPRD additional support in removing trees that pose a risk to park infrastructure, visitors and their property while providing an opportunity for ODOT sawyers to get tree felling training,” said OPRD.

OPRD said Saddle Mountain State Natural Area is headed for more closures in 2025 with several other projects planned for late summer and fall of this year.

OPRD

In August, ODOT will repair a bridge in the area, likely lasting about a week. In August and September, there will be a road project on Saddle Mountain Road that involves repaving or overlaying about nine miles of it, along with culvert repair and replacing the crushed stone along the road shoulders. That project will take about a month.

Later in the fall, more problematic trees will be taken down.

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“Crews will remove hazard trees and fire-damaged trees and thin some areas for forest health,” OPRD said. “The work is slated to last two to four months depending on the weather and construction schedules.”

Saddle Mt area under construction in recent years

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will share additional information and dates for the closures as they become available. For updates, check the park webpage at https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=140.

Near Port Orford, the Cape Blanco Lighthouse is in need of repairs and funds to do so.

A variety of other closures are in place along the Oregon coast because of rebuilding projects.

On the south Oregon coast, Bandon's Face Rock Scenic Viewpoint parking lot is temporarily closed, scheduled to reopen May 23. Work there involves closing the restrooms as well. However, beach access via the stairs on the south side of the property will remain open.

Near Depoe Bay, atop Cape Foulweather, the gift shop and at least some of the parking are shut down until some time in June. Otter Crest State Scenic Viewpoint will get work on its structural integrity, as well as restoration to preserve the building's historical character and increase its accessibility features. See South Oregon Coast Landmark Under the Knife: Bandon's Face Rock Viewpoint Closed for a Month

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