Whale Watching Center
Also known as Depoe Bay Whale Watching Center
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Wed–Sun noon – 4 p.m.
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- None listed
- Official site
- stateparks.oregon.gov(541) 765-3304
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Construction Construction advisoryPlanned construction will close the Whale Watching Center and the viewing area surrounding the building as early as August 17 – October 31. The… (more)
Planned construction will close the Whale Watching Center and the viewing area surrounding the building as early as August 17 – October 31. The center will remain open until construction officially begins. Call 541-765-3304 before visiting and check the construction advisories for the latest updates.
Posted by the park 2026-08-17. Official alert
Overview
Whale Watching Center is a park in Lincoln County, in Depoe Bay.
The park supports wildlife watching and picnicking.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park — Whale Watching Center | Wed–Sun | noon – 4 p.m. | — |
Official wording
Whale Watching Center Hours: The Whale Watching Center and viewing area around the building will close for repairs during the summer of 2026. You can read more about the planned construction here. Check the construction advisories on this page for the latest updates. Nearby parks such as Boiler Bay, Rocky Creek and Cape Foulweather also offer fantastic views for whale watching. The Whale Watching Center is open seasonally from March through December. During these months, the museum is open from noon to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Hours may change due to volunteer availability and weather conditions.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Los Angeles).
Pets
Pets must be physically restrained (held or on a leash no longer than six feet) except in designated off-leash areas or inside a vehicle, tent or pet-friendly yurt/cabin; owners pick up after pets.
Statewide rule from Oregon's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Fees and passes
'Oregon State Parks waives day-use parking fees at more than 150 parks'. Campers' receipts count as a permit. Oregon Coast Passports sold in 2026 are not accepted.
Statewide fee rule from Oregon's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
Oregon park passes
- 12-month day-use parking permit — $60 Oregon residents; $75 non-residents. Day-use parking at parks that require a day-use parking permit Details
- Daily parking permit — $10 per day per vehicle (residents); $12 (non-residents). Parking for the day at any state park that requires a day-use parking permit Details
From the Oregon state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveAmerica (oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com)
- Phone
- 800-452-5687
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Things to do
Wildlife viewing and birdingPicnicking
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Flush toilets
- Vault or pit toilets
- Picnic areas
- Nature center or museum
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Accessible amenities: Wildlife, Exhibit Information, Vault Toilets, Viewpoint, Picnicking
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Nearest town
- Depoe Bay
- Coordinates
- 44.8101, -124.0623
- Phone
- (541) 765-3304
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Oregon State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Jul 27, 2026
- Oregon State Parks park finder JSON (services/park.cfc?method=getAll), used by the Find a Park page
- Wikidata
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology