Pistol River State Scenic Viewpoint
Pistol River, OR
Pistol River sits between Gold Beach and Brookings, home to a river mouth beach wide and consistently windy enough that it once hosted a well known windsurfing and kiteboarding competition. Beyond the watersports crowd, it's a long, mostly empty stretch of sand that draws locals looking for a beach without a town attached to it.
A genuinely great wind sport destination and a long, empty beach otherwise, held back only by having no services or town nearby.
How we score beachesIf the wind is up, expect kiteboarders and windsurfers working the river mouth. If you're here for a quiet walk instead, head north along the beach away from the launch area.
Free lot directly off Highway 101.
A flat, sandy path leads from the lot to the beach.
Spring and summer bring the most consistent wind for watersports; fall offers calmer conditions for a straightforward beach walk.
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