Big Elk to Newport Loops

About Big Elk to Newport Loops

This page presents two loop routes between Big Elk Campground and Newport. 

The counterclockwise route uses Highway 101 for the return. The clockwise route features the "Backdoor to Newport route."


Big Elk to Newport Loop #1 - Counterclockwise via Highway 101

RWGPS route map: 76 miles; +3664'; 41% unpaved 

Big Elk to Newport Loop #2 - Clockwise via the Backdoor to Newport

RWGPS route map: 74 miles, +4400'; 55% unpaved

About "The Backdoor to Newport": This portion of the route is from mile 20 to 28.5. It crosses land owned by several private timber companies and requires a free permit from Emery Investments. As of September 2021, there were not any "no trespassing signs" along this route. The author of this website encourages compliance with the policies of private landowners and federal, state, and local laws and does not condone illegal trespassing. As of November 2022, I received a report that a culvert was removed on this route making passage difficult, but not impossible. Please see more information by following the link above.

Directions for the clockwise ("backdoor") route

From Big Elk Campground, travel east on Harlan Road for 0.6 miles. Turn south on Grant Creek Road (NF-3109) for 0.2 miles. Turn west on Hilltop Road (NF-31) (mile mark 0) and travel 12.9 miles to 3-way intersection where 1000 Line Road heads north toward Toledo. Continue west on North Beaver Creek Road and descend for 6.1 miles to Wolkau Road. (Note: This is the first 19.8 miles of the Big Elk to Ona Beach route).

Turn north on Wolkau Road to begin the "Backdoor to Newport" route. After 1.5 miles, turn left onto an unnamed road and continue 1.1 miles to what may look like a dead end. Continue on a single track trail for about a tenth of a mile to rejoin a logging road. Continue north for 1.3 miles to a gate and a four way intersection. (The road coming in from the west is SE 98th Street). Continue north via Road 200 for about 4.4 miles to the South Beach area of Newport. You will emerge from the final gate onto pavement on SE Harborton Street near the Oregon Coast Community College and the Wolf Tree Brewery Taproom. 

Cross the Yaquina Bay Bridge and head east toward the Newport Bayfront. Follow Yaquina Bay Road for 13 miles to Toledo. Take Elk City Road to Elk City. Head east on Harlan Road for 19 miles to return to Big Elk Campground.

Options: If you do not want to use the "Backdoor to Newport" route the alternative is to continue west to Ona Beach and take Hwy 101 north to Newport. Other Big Elk to Newport route options include the following: (1) At mile mark 13.7, take the 1000 Line Road route to Toledo and Yaquina Bay Road to Newport; and (2) using the Harlan Road Out-and-Back route.