Coquille Point, Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, and the Coquille River showcase different sides of Bandon’s coastal and natural landscape. There are also beach trails, activities on the water, and insights into the town’s history. When planning your trip, it’s worth deciding first whether wildlife viewing, the coast, river activities, or culture will be your main focus.
Nature and Wildlife Viewing
Coquille Point is a mainland section of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge and is open to the public year-round. You can watch seabirds and seals there. Please follow the rules for protecting wildlife.
Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge also offers opportunities for wildlife viewing year-round. Its landscape includes mudflats, salt marshes, and wooded wetlands where the Coquille River flows into the Pacific Ocean. The refuge has two public trails and viewing platforms. So, in addition to coastal wildlife viewing, you can explore a natural area shaped by wetlands.
Beach Access and Coastal Activities
Bandon State Natural Area has several beach access points along Beach Loop Road in Bandon. The China Creek site has ample parking, but it is not recommended for large RVs. If you’d like to visit another stretch of beach, nearby Bullards Beach State Park offers 4.5 miles of beach for mountain biking or walking.
Face Rock Wayside in Bandon is the home beach of Circles in the Sand. The organization creates sand mazes surrounded by elaborate patterns and artwork. This adds a designed form of beach art to the natural coastal scenery. Bandon combines beach access and wildlife viewing with a distinctive art project in the sand.
River, Tides, and Activities on the Water
A particularly scenic trip on the Coquille River can begin in Old Town Bandon on a rising tide and go around Randolph Island. Take the tide and wind into account when planning. Tidal influence on the Coquille River Water Trail extends more than 30 miles upriver. The trail has eight launch sites between the river’s outlet near Bandon and the inland city of Myrtle Point. If you plan to paddle, consult tide tables and local safety guidance.
Fishing and crabbing are also among the activities on the water. Shops along the Old Town waterfront rent equipment and prepare visitors’ catches. You can fish from Webber’s Pier in Old Town Bandon; fishing or crabbing excursions are also available. These are two different options: fish from the pier or choose an excursion for fishing or crabbing.
History, Art, and Events
The Bandon Historical Society Museum features exhibits on the town’s maritime history and cranberry farming. Another historic landmark is the Bandon Lighthouse, built in 1896. Together, these topics trace the region’s connections to life by the sea and one of its important agricultural products.
The annual Port of Bandon Boardwalk Art Show is a public art exhibit on the Old Town waterfront. It showcases work by amateur and professional artists. The Port of Bandon waterfront also features a collection of maritime-themed sculptures and has an enclosed picnic shelter.
The annual Bandon Cranberry Festival celebrates local cranberry farming with educational activities, entertainment, and activities for all ages. The program includes a parade, a festival marketplace, and an evening street dance; the program may change from year to year. The Cranberry Kitchen cooking competition dates back to the festival’s second year, 1948. If you’d like to plan your trip around an event, check the dates and that year’s program in advance.
Planning Your Stay
Bandon’s compact geography makes it easy to get around on foot or by bike. To choose what to focus on, you can weigh coastal access and wildlife viewing against river activities or attractions related to art, local history, and cranberry farming. This makes it easy to plan your trip around the topics that interest you most.
Discover more destinations: Coos Bay, Powers.
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