What to See in Lincoln City - Top Sights and Attractions

Bridge in Otis, Oregon. The Drift Creek Bridge is a covered bridge in Lincoln County in the U.S. state of Oregon. Built in 1914, the structure originally carried Drift Creek County Road over Drift Creek. The creek flows into Siletz Bay of the Pacific Ocean south of Lincoln City.

The original bridge, about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the ocean, once carried the main north–south route along the coast. Newer bridges later carried most of the north–south traffic and, after a concrete bridge bypassed the Drift Creek Bridge in the 1960s, Lincoln County preserved it as a pedestrian crossing and a monument to 19th-century pioneers. In 1988, however, county officials closed the bridge entirely after rot and insect damage made the structure unsafe.

The county dismantled the bridge in 1997 and gave the timbers to Laura and Kerry Sweitz, who owned land 8 miles (13 km) north of the Drift Creek site. In 2000, the Sweitz family rebuilt the bridge over Bear Creek and granted a permanent public easement at that site. Bear Creek is a tributary of the Salmon River, which it enters near Rose Lodge.

The original Howe truss bridge had board-and-batten siding, arched portals, and ribbon windows along the eaves. Before being dismantled, it was the closest covered bridge to the Oregon Coast. The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and removed in 1998.^[3]

Lake in Oregon. Devils Lake is a small lake in Lincoln County, Oregon, United States, along the Oregon Coast. It separates the northern part of Lincoln City from the Central Oregon Coast Range. It is 1/3 of a mile wide, three miles long, and up to 21 feet deep. The D River flows from the lake westward to the Pacific Ocean. At 120 feet, it is one of the world's shortest rivers, but for the definition of river used excludes estuaries. where the tides cause reverse flow....

According to Oregon Geographic Names, the name derives from a Native American legend. In the legend, a giant fish, giant octopus, or other large marine creature would occasionally surface, much to the dismay of anyone fishing in the vicinity.

The lake is managed by the Devils Lake Water Improvement District. The Preservation Association of Devils Lake (PADL) was founded in 1982. According to the organization's website, its mission is:

To correct, protect and preserve the water resources and other natural assets of Devils Lake from misuse and pollution. To encourage the improvement of the overall environmental and economic use of the lake as a recreational, scenic asset for all time to the entire Lincoln City area.^[5]

State park in Lincoln City, Oregon. D River State Recreation Site is a state park in the U.S. state of Oregon, administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. It is a sandy beach of the Pacific Ocean within central Lincoln City along the length of the 120-foot long D River, one of the world's shortest rivers.

The site provides public access to Wecoma Beach, part of Lincoln City's 7.5 miles (12.1 km) of beach. There is parking and day use facilities, and no fees. The site has access to river and ocean fishing.

Two of the world's largest kite flying festivals are held here, one in the spring and one in the fall, as well as a summer kite festival which features several professional kite fliers. It was named by Kitelines Magazine as one of the best places in the world to fly a kite. The area also has two year-round 10-kilometre (6.2 mi) Volkssport walking courses.

D River State Recreation Site is considered among the ten best places along the Oregon coast for whale watching. Whale watching guide volunteers are present one week in January and one in March to help visitors see and understand the whale migration.

The area of ocean where the D River enters the sea creates consistent year-round surfing conditions suitable for intermediate skills.

Like many Oregon coast locations, flocks of seagulls are frequently present in winter. The most common species are western gull, glaucous-winged gull, and California gull. Occasionally Thayer's gull and American herring gull are observed here.^[6]