South Beach Sandcastle Contest Returns to Central Oregon Coast's Newport

Published 07/10/25 at 7:15 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Newport, Oregon) - One of the few events of its kind organized by Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) returns this month to the central Oregon coast and promises a rollicking but artistically-engaging time for all ages on the beach.

South Beach State Park in Newport is set to host its annual sandcastle competition from 10 a.m. to noon on July 26.

The family-friendly contest has been a highlight at the park since 2001, drawing participants and spectators for its creative energy and coastal charm. Competitors may enter solo or as part of a team, with first, second, and third place winners receiving prize baskets. The top prize includes four tickets to the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

Not far from here is Yaquina Bay Lighthouse and its curious history.

Registration begins on site at 9:30 a.m. on the beach near the South Beach day-use parking lot. Ranger Patrick Newhall said the event offers a chance for visitors to showcase their sand sculpting skills and connect with park staff and volunteers.

In 2024, the event saw 20 teams and 65 competitors crafting castles and sea-themed sculptures, as nearly 200 spectators looked on.

The contest takes place on the beach at the southern edge of Newport’s South Beach district. Parking is free.

South Beach State Park is one of the largest parks on the Oregon coast, stretching nearly a mile down the southern shore of Yaquina Bay. It offers over 200 electric and water hookup sites, alongside biking and walking trails that wind through brush, marsh, and open dunes. The beach itself opens tup o about a dozen miles of shoreline from the South Jetty southward.

Also see Not THAT South Beach: Newport's South Beach Mix of Oregon Coast Whimsical to Atmospheric.

For more information, visitors can contact South Beach State Park at (541) 867-7451 Ext. 0.

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