One of Oregon's Top Coastal Accesses Changes Hands: Lincoln City Takes Over D River Rec Site

Published 04/29/26 at 7:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Lincoln City, Oregon) – There are some changes going on behind the scenes at one of Oregon's top landmarks.

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, the City of Lincoln City and Explore Lincoln City recently announced a transfer of oversight for the D River State Recreation Site in the central Oregon coast town, sort of its center attraction. Management of the access and especially its welcome center will shift from OPRD to the City of Lincoln City. The no-cost lease took effect April 27 and is intended to support major improvements at one of the Oregon coast’s most heavily visited recreation areas.

Lincoln City City Manager Daniel Hunter said the city plans to build on more than six decades of state stewardship while expanding facilities and visitor experiences. He noted that the city intends to emphasize inclusivity, education, public access and responsible management as it takes on the beach access and surrounding area operations.

The city expects to complete a series of upgrades in early 2027, including a new $6.7 million Lincoln City Welcome Center. Look for improved parking and beach access, and expanded accessibility features. The site draws roughly 1.5 million visitors each year.

Preson Phillips, Central Coast District Manager for OPRD, called the transition a unique opportunity for collaboration and said the agency looks forward to seeing the project move ahead.

Planning and design work is already underway, with construction scheduled to begin later this month. Restrooms and portions of the site will close during construction, though the city plans to maintain beach access, parking and temporary restrooms when possible. Funding comes from a State of Oregon Lottery Revenue Bond Grant secured with support from local legislators, along with Lincoln City transient lodging tax revenue dedicated to tourism facilities.

“Not only is D River State Recreation Site one of the most beloved and visited attractions in Oregon, but it’s also a community gathering place that has hosted marquis events, including the Kite Festival, for many years,” said Kim Cooper Findling, Director of Explore Lincoln City. “Our partners at OPRD have generously given Lincoln City the opportunity to tell our story in our own words, and to do so in a way that educates, informs, and reinforces the importance of responsible, stewardship-based visitation.”

More information about Explore Lincoln City and updates on the Welcome Center project are available at explorelincolncity.com, with additional updates shared on social media at @lincolncityor.

D River State Recreation Site was purchased in 1969 with Land and Water Conservation funds and is still one of Oregon’s five most visited recreation areas, welcoming more than 1.3 million visitors each year. The site has served various roles over the decades, including as the location of an aquarium and later a go-kart track. Today it functions as a rest stop, interpretive area and primary beach access point along Lincoln City’s seven-mile shoreline, offering river and beach access, restrooms, paved parking and direct access to Highway 101.

It's also not a bad spot to find agates on occasions, which rather surprisingly can show up even in summer. That is not, however, a regular occurrence. Also See Metal Mystery Appears on Oregon Coast at Lincoln City's D River

Lincoln City is known for its seven miles of public beaches, the Finders Keepers glass float program, two internationally recognized kite festivals and Oregon’s only UNESCO Biosphere Region. The city promotes sustainability-minded travel and offers year-round coastal experiences ranging from summer beach outings to winter storm watching, all within an hour of the Willamette Valley.

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