RV Adventure on the Oregon Coast

Coos Bay consists of a tri-city area that’s big on activity, scenic State Parks and of course, RVing.

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Words by Rick Stedman

Heading south or to warmer climates during the colder months is never a bad idea. From the West Coast, while driving to California, Arizona, or other warm destinations, Coos Bay, OR, is worth an extended visit along the way. Located on the southern coast of the Beaver State, approximately 160 km (100 mi) north of the California border, its neighboring towns of North Bend and Charleston offer a variety of offerings in a laid back atmosphere.

Combined, this trio of cities is marketed under the moniker – Oregon’s Adventure Coast – and for good reason. These communities collectively offer spectacular natural beauty, great scenery, delightful restaurants, and plenty of RV parks. In fact, there are more than 20 in the tri-city area.

From Vancouver, Coos Bay is 866 km (538 mi) via Interstate 5, which is always the quicker route but over on the coast, U.S. Highway 101 offers a slower pace, much better scenery with the ocean views, and periodic small towns dotted along the shoreline.

One of the jewels of Coos Bay is the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. In 1972, U.S. Congress had the foresight to designate this spectacular 31,500-acre portion of the Siuslaw National Forest as a National Recreation Area in recognition of its unique values. Stretching 64 km (40 mi) north from Coos Bay to Florence, Oregon, the dunes offer ample opportunities for solitude or thrilling experiences like off-roading; you can rent dune buggies and similar motorsport vehicles for playing in the sand. Other activities include hiking, picnicking, as well as camping.

RV Options are Plentiful

Within Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area are several campsites that are trailer and motorhome-friendly. For all the details visit www.recreation.gov and perhaps search for the following popular RV parks like Bluebill Campground, Horsfall Campground, Spinreel Campground, or Wild Mare Horse Camp. For a more comprehensive list and camping options in Coos Bay, North Bend, or Charleston you can also visit oregonsadventurecoast.com.

A few miles south of Coos Bay is Sunset Bay State Park. It offers an incredible backdrop that includes crashing waves and a protected beach for swimming. Less than 16 km (10 mi) away is Shore Acres State Park and Cape Arago State Park. Though camping is not allowed in either, both offer some of the most spectacular sights you will see along the Oregon coast. Waves crash into the craggy shoreline, then shoot skyward as much as 90 m (275 ft).

Shore Acres State Park offers a unique setting throughout the year including hundreds of spring bulbs and daffodils, an abundance of rhododendrons and azaleas, 300 dahlias, and more than 800 rose bushes. During the holidays, the park is transformed into a winter wonderland as it features over 300,000 holiday lights.

All three of these parks can also be enjoyed on the 14 km (8.5 mi) trail that connects them. This short stretch is actually part of the 615 km (382 mi) long Oregon Coast Trail, which starts at the Washington border, through Oregon and ends at the California state line.

Area Golf is Plentiful

If you always manage to bring along your clubs no matter where you go, Coos Golf Club and Sunset Bay Golf Course are both public courses and open for play all year. Coos Golf Club is a challenging 18-hole track that has served the public since 1923. The par 72 courses stretch to 5,869 m (6,419 yds).

Sunset Bay Golf Course near Sunset Bay State Park is a unique 12-hole course, which has been around since the early 1980s. The unique design and challenging holes measure 3,003 meters (3,285 yards), is a par 47, and features two par 5s.

Serious RV golfers staying in and around Coos Bay may also want to play nearby Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. This world-class establishment has been on most serious golfers’ bucket lists since it opened in 1999. Over the years, the resort has added several spectacular courses, all reminiscent of golf in Scotland. The last to open was Sheep Ranch Golf Course, which debuted in June. The par 72 measures 6,636 yards (6,067 meters) from the tips, and features .6 km (1 mi) ocean frontage with scenic coastal views on every hole. Bandon Dunes’ legacy is simple “golf as it was meant to be” on the Pacific Coast.

In addition to golf, visitors can take in the dramatic views of the ocean and golf courses from several restaurants around the property. The Gallery Restaurant, located in The Lodge, offers the finest in Pacific Northwest cuisine and specially-prepared dishes, complemented by an incredible wine list. The Pacific Grill is located upstairs in the Pacific Dunes Clubhouse, and offers a casual setting for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Here, you can also enjoy a Pacific Northwest seafood dinner accented by incredible views of the courses and the ocean.

If you just want to explore some of the beauty of Bandon Dunes, pick up a hiking trail guide at the lobby inside The Lodge. The four trails range from 1.2 km to 4 km (¾ mi to 2.4 mi) in length, and offer more scenic views of the property.

Runner’s Delight

One of the main attractions in Coos Bay is the honoring of hometown hero Steve Prefontaine, the premiere distance runner in the U.S. during the 1970s. Pre, as he was known by runners the world over, died in a tragic car accident at the age of 24. At the time of his death, he had set 15 American middle- and long-distance running records. He also competed in the 1972 Summer Olympic Games in Munich, Germany taking a disappointing fourth place. Prefontaine was and still is an inspiration to thousands of runners worldwide. In Coos Bay, you can’t help but admire the two-story tall murals on a South Broadway Street building that depict Pre at various stages of his running career, including high school, college, and the Olympics.

The Coos Art Museum also has a gallery devoted to Prefontaine’s many accomplishments and there’s a stone memorial right outside the entrance of the visitor’s center in downtown Coos Bay. Steve’s sister Linda has been offering for the last few years an extended Steve Prefontaine Tour with personal anecdotes about her brother. Though very popular, the tours are on hiatus due to COVID-19.

At last count, there were nearly 130 restaurants/eating establishments throughout the Coos Bay – North Bend – Charleston area. A few that are off the charts include the Blue Heron Bistro, Noster Kitchen, and Restaurant O.

For a more detailed description of other restaurants and general information on the Coos Bay area, visit OregonsAdventureCoast.com. More information can be found at http://coosbay.org/visiting.