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Coos Bay and Charleston, Oregon
The Coos Bay / North Bend area is centrally located and Coos Bay is the largest town on the coast, with a population of about 16,000. But don't let its industrial look persuade you to skip it and move on. Take some time to explore the area and be certain to take a side trip over to charming Charleston, the surrounding State Parks, and the lighthouse. The area around Charleston is one of the prettiest areas along the south coast of Oregon. The Bandon Golf courses are a short distance south. The magnificent Oregon Dunes National Recreation area is located just to the north.
The Southwest Regional Airport (OTH) is located in North Bend. Southwester Oregon Community College (SWOCC) is located in Coos Bay.
The three towns together, are known as the Oregon Bay Area. North Bend and Coos Bay are located immediately next to each other and, collectively, are frequently referred to as Coos Bay. Charleston is located a short distance to the southwest at the mouth of the bay.
Coos Bay Map and Surrounding Attractions
View Coos Bay Sightseeing in a larger map
Sightseeing
Charleston, a working fishing village, is located 10 minutes away from Coos Bay, to the west and is well worth the visit. Major attractions include the nearby Cape Arago, Shore Acres and Sunset Bay State Parks, which offer camping, beaches, whale watching, hiking, and views of the ocean. Just north is the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area with ATV trails and rentals available ... more
ATVs
There are Class I (dune buggy) opportunities to the north, with Class III (motorcycle) trails to the east and south. Campgrounds especially tailored for off road enthusiasts are located in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Are. The Oregon Dunes feature ATVs, tent camping, hiking, horse trails, and RV sites; a great place ... more
Lodging
In the Oregon Bay Area, the majority of the hotels and motels are located in the Coos Bay area. North Bend is immediately north of Coos Bay and has a smaller number of motels. There is one small hotel in Charleston ... more
RVs
There are several private RV parks near Coos Bay - North Bend. Near Charleston there are two additional parks for RVs. There two located further south on the coast. There are two public RV / ATV parks just to the north in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area ... more
Camping
Camping is available to the north in the vast Oregon Dunes National Park. Or travel to the west and south to visit the beaches and cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean near Charleston for the many excellent County or State Parks. While the Dunes are oriented towards ATVs and Dune Buggies, there are several camps that are set up exclusively for horses or quiet tent camping. Some of those are near freshwater lakes. Those campsites to the west and south, near Charleston, do not allow ATVs and are oriented more towards ... more
Restaurants
Coos Bay and North Bend are sister cities in that they are immediately next to each other. Although fresh fish are available most anywhere up and down the coast, it is a special treat to travel to Charleston and enjoy ... more
Hiking
To the north are the Oregon Dunes with their miles of sand hiking. The Oregon Coast Trail generally hugs the shoreline in this area, then moves inland to cross the bridge into Coos Bay. In the dunes, there are three day-hiking trails: The John Dellenback Trail, Bluebill Lake Trail, and the North Split Hike. To the south, the shoreline changes dramatically as cliffs rise and the dunes disappear. The most scenic hiking is west of Charleston, through Sunset Bay State Park, Shore Acres and Cape Arago State Parks. This is not technically part of the Coast Trail ... more
Bird Watching
Birders are in for a special treat. In addition to several trails and state parks in the area, Charleston is the home to the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve ... more
Bicycling
North Bend and the town of Coos Bay are immediately next to each other and, to the outsider, appear to be one city. Coos Bay / North Bend is the largest metropolitan area on the Oregon coast and offer those cycling all the challenges and advantages of a city. There is more traffic yet there are more stores, restaurants and hotels to choose from. The only bicyclists not taking the side trip out to Charleston are those who are trying to set a cycle speed record to travel the coast. The trip out to Charleston offers some of the best scenery ... more
Fishing
The Oregon Bay Area features freshwater fishing at Lakeside (Tenmile Lake) and Riley Ranch (Butterfield Lake); saltwater fishing and clamming in Coos Bay; and surf fishing along the coast on Bastendorff Beach or off the dunes to the north. For information on ... more
Casinos
There are three casinos along this portion of the coast. One of the three, The Mill Casino, is located in ... more
Whales
Plan a side trip from Coos Bay out to visit the Charleston area to look for whales. Cape Arago and Shore Acres are excellent places for whale watching ... more
Dunes
Coos Bay / North Bend mark the south end of the Oregon National Dunes Recreation Area. The dunes start immediately across the US Route 101 bridge to the north. For information about renting ATVs, or using your own off road vehicle in and around the dunes, see the ... more
