South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve

If you find yourself in or around Coos Bay in Oregon, don't miss the opportunity to witness the most dramatic wave action you'll ever see. These gigantic waves are just mesmerizing! Shore Acres State Park is on the Cape Arago Hwy, 13 miles southwest of Coos Bay/North Bend and U.S. Highway 101. The park is open every day from 8 a.m. to dusk, and a daily vehicle parking fee of $5 is charged. Unfo...

The Whiskey Run mountain bike trail system features 9 interconnected trails of varying degrees and difficulty that can be added together to create at least an 11 mile loop. There are 6, 9, and 11 mile loops for beginner, intermediate and advanced riders. There are two main parking areas for the trail network about a half mile apart, and to get there take Highway 101 north out of Bandon for 14 m...

Bandon, Oregon, located on the Southern Oregon coast, is about 90 miles north of the California border and about five hours south of Portland. In other words, it's just far enough away so that it has not become a touristy, seaside destination. And that's good news for all of us.This sleepy seaside town, with a population of about 3,100 people, is relatively undisturbed. The beaches are quiet an...

The Bandon State Natural area is a wide, mostly undeveloped section of the South Coast that is perfect for beachcombing, exploration, and fat tire biking with fun driftwood for tricks and jumps along with large flat shallow areas extending far out into the ocean.  Sure you will get wet and always be aware of sneaker waves and ocean conditions, but where else can you bike around feeling like you...

I think the greatest appeal of the John Dellenback area is its diversity.  The varied coastal ecosystems, including a creek and forest with moisture-loving souls like the newts and gigantic slugs contrasts significantly with the expansive sand dunes just beyond the edge of the tree line.  In one direction, there is a coniferforest and rare red fescue community.  In the other, you’llfind empty d...

Getting here was half the adventure. Google led us in quite the wrong way. Whatever you do, approach this park from Allegany, outside of Coos Bay. From Allegany there are signs to the park. The road is about 9 miles from here. Drive until the road dead ends with cement blocks. Here you will have to walk 0.5 miles along a gravel road to the park entrance. Once in the park there is a sign that sh...