More About Haystack Rock

Haystack Rock Awareness Program

In 1985 the Haystack Rock Awareness Program (HARP) was started. It's mission is:

To protect, through education, the intertidal and bird ecology of the Marine Garden and Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge at Haystack Rock."

The best way to learn about Haystack Rock is to talk with a HARP volunteer. HARP volunteers are at Haystack Rock most days at low tides from February through October. A current schedule is available online (click here).

What Made Haystack Rock?

Haystack Rock is a basalt monolith, meaning its origin is in a lava flow. Where did the lava come from? Would you believe Wyoming? The Yellowstone Super Volcano produced lava flows that spread over the Pacific Northwest, including the Ginko Flow which reached Cannon Beach. But that's not where the lava that made Haystack Rock came from. Around the Super Volcano secondary volcanoes erupted from the sea floor. One of these is the origin of Haystack Rock. It's throat filled with lava, the lava flow stopped and solidified and eventually became Haystack Rock.

Haystack Rock Is Eroding Away