Oregon’s South Coast has a remarkable number of what might be called specialized recreation opportunities. We have places specifically set aside for everything from horseback riding to mountain biking to disc golfing to gold panning. Many of the places also welcome casual visitors just out for a bit of fresh air and exercise.
There are lots of f fun indoor activities as well, ranging from North Bend’s synthetic skating rink to an ongoing array of dancing get-togethers in a variety of venues.
But the beaches and dunes top most activity lists.
We’re probably best known as a destination for riding all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and other motorized conveyances in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area (ODNRA). There are dozens of ATV accesses throughout the 40-mile dunes system between Florence and North Bend. Thousands of people flock here in the summer months, many bringing their own “toys” for dunes riding. Rental places and tour operators do a brisk business with folks who haven’t brought their own rigs. There are hugely popular annual dunes events featuring competitions, vendor booths and other attractions.
The ODNRA also has a handful of vehicle-free areas for hikers, equestrians and the latest craze – fat-tire bicyclists. Likewise, there are stretches of beach open to vehicles and others hiker/biker only.
Sometimes the places are side-by-side. For example, vehicles are allowed on Whiskey Run Beach near Bandon, but not immediately north at Seven Devils State Recreation Site.
Equestrians can find miles of trails and beaches, beginning just north of Florence, with other horseback riding near Coos Bay, Bandon and Port Orford.
The Bureau of Land Management Blue Ridge trail system east of Coos Bay attracts horseback riders, ATVers, mountain bikers and hikers. Dirt bikers can ride the Winchester trails system on Coos County Forest land between Coos Bay and Bandon.
The popular Whiskey Run Mountain Bike Trails system is also located in the county forest.
Road-riding bicyclists can check out the officially-designated Wild Rivers tour in Port Orford that takes in the prized Elk River as well as beautiful Cape Blanco State Park .
For the younger crowd, there are professionally-designed skateparks in every South Coast community, as well as disc golf courses such as those in Coos Bay’s Mingus Park and North Bend’s Winsor and Ferry Road city parks.
With so much water – ocean, bays, estuaries, lakes, rivers – the waterway possibilities are numerous, and include the wonderful Siltcoos River Canoe Trail in Dunes City south of Florence. The Sough Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve near Charleston has miles of waterways and terrestrial trails for exploration. Birdwatch at the Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Reserve just north of Bandon and the BLM New River preserve 7 miles south of Bandon. The Dean Creek Elk Reserve viewing area outside Reedsport is impressive.
Duck hunters can set their sights on the Coquille Valley Wildlife Area near Coquille.
The South Coast is also a go-to golfing destination, topped by Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, and with public golf courses in every South Coast community.
As for the aforementioned gold panning, visit the BLM Sixes River campground and day-use area near Port Orford. You won’t find nuggets, but even a tiny flake of “color” in your pan can generate excitement.. The creek feeding down to Whiskey Run Beach north of Bandon has drawn gold seekers for decades, although it’s generally too floury.
This is just a partial list of the specialized places in this diverse region of Oregon. Best of all, you don’t have to go far to enjoy them – they’re just “out our back door.”
(Shopper columnist Tom Baake is author of regional guidebooks.)
