Sightseeing in the Gold Beach -
Port Orford Area

Rogue River

The best way to experience the Rogue River is to take a ride on one of the Jet Boats. Fishermen should make plans to stop and fish, either by renting a boat, or signing up with one of the highly skilled river guides. For those looking for an alternative, take a short 22 mile scenic loop on the north and south banks of the Rogue. The round trip crosses ... more

Cape Blanco Lighthouse and State Park

The Cape Blanco Lighthouse is a favorite location for whale watching and offers spectacular views. Built in 1898, the historic Hughes House is also located at the park with tours available while the lighthouse is open. There is fishing access to Sixes River from the State Park. The Cape Blanco State Park has over 8 miles of hiking trails, beach walks, and 7 miles of horse trails ... more

Port Orford Heads State Park and Museum

The Port Orford Lifeboat Station and Museum was constructed in 1934 and remained in service until 1970. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The park has excellent hiking trails and beach access affording spectacular views up and down the Pacific Coast with opportunities for picnicking and marine wildlife and whale watching. There is a short (0.3 mile) trail from the museum out to the site of the former spotting tower. A slightly longer trail (0.4 mile) returns from the tower site to the museum and offers views of the former boathouse that is worthwhile if only because the challenges of launching a boat becomes readily apparent.

The Port Orford Lifeboat Station and Museum is free and is open April-October, Thursday-Monday, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Admission is free. A 36-foot motor lifeboat used at this station is on display outside of the museum.

The biggest challenge is finding the turn to drive to this hidden gem. From US 101, turn west on 9th street, then left on Port Orford Highway / Coast Guard Hill. The turn off of US 101 can be spotted from the "Tsunami Evacuation Route" sign - one of the few that points towards the ocean. The museum parking lot is at the end of the short up-hill, winding road.

Port Orford, OR

Rocky Point

Rocky Point is a scenic pull off with views of Humbug Mountain to the south. It is also a favorite place of locals to dig up butter clams at low tide. The area is popular with whale watchers, windsurfing and scuba diving.

Rocky Point is located 2 miles south of Port Orford, Oregon, along US Route 101.

Port Orford, OR

The Isaac Lee Patterson Bridge

The Isaac Lee Patterson Bridge was constructed in 1932 and is a prominent example of the designs of the Oregon bridge designer Conde McCullough. The bridge is a fine example of strong Art Deco influences and was designated a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1982.

The Isaac Lee Patterson Bridge is located on the Rogue River in Gold Beach, OR.

Otter Point

This little secret is a must see for those who travel along the Oregon Coast. Park your car and take a short walk out to the point and gaze at the waves crashing below, the surf at the cove to the north, or the broad long Bailey Beach to the south. If you have time, there is a 10-minute hike to the south. For the adventurous, there is a short but challenging trail on the north ... more

Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor

The stunning Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor is a 12-mile stretch along the coast, of forested park with its spectacular coastline, rocky outcroppings, and smooth, sandy beaches. Marvel at Arch Rock, the Natural Bridges, and the shore birds or position yourself to watch the migrating whales. These breathtaking views are easily accessed from US Highway 101 for the casual traveler to what might be the most amazing scenery on the Pacific Coast. Hike portions of the 27-mile Oregon Coast Trail that starts just north of Brookings near House Rock and continue to Arch Rock. Harris Beach State Park with yurts, cabins, camping and full hookups is also just north of Brookings. Enjoy the California sea lions, Harbor seals, and go tide pooling at the rich marine gardens.

The Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor starts just north of Brookings Harbor and continues to about half way to Gold Beach.

For more information, download a brochure of the park.

Ophir Beach

Ophir Beach is a 7-mile stretch of uncrowded beach with soft sand where long relaxing strolls are the rule. The northern end is a good place to dig for clams at very low tides. Euchre creek cuts through to the ocean near the northern end of the beach, but during the summer and early fall, the creek disappears into the sand prior to reaching the ocean.

At the southern end is the unincorporated area known as Nesika Beach.

The Oregon Coast Trail travels along the beach, but follows US Route 101 north and south of the beach.

The Ophir rest stop is located along US Route 101 and offers ample parking as well as picnic tables and restrooms.

Ophir Beach is a few short miles north of Gold Beach.

Ophir, Oregon 97464

Bailey Beach

Bailey Beach is a lonely stretch of soft gentle sand that is a favorite for a relaxing stroll. It is not unusual to walk the three miles and not see a single person. The beach is bordered by the shear cliffs of Otter Point on the north and the Rogue River on the south. On a clear day, it is possible to see the light from the Cape Blanco Lighthouse to the north. During low tides, it is a favorite of the locals to dig for razor clams. Access to Bailey Beach is easy, with parking off the Old Coast Road just north of the Rogue River Jetty, at the gravel parking lot a mile north, or at Otter Point Park. Dogs are ... more

The Mary D. Hume

The wreck of the Mary D. Hume is on sad display in the Port of Gold Beach, OR, in the harbor just off the Rogue River.

The Mary D. Hume was a steam boat built in Gold Beach in 1881 and survived as the oldest serving commercial vessel on the West Coast retiring in 1978.

During an attempt to restore her, there was a mechanical mishap and she slid off the sling to the bottom of the Gold Beach Harbor where she rests today. When driving on Route 101, please take a few moments and turn into the Port of Gold Beach south of the Rogue River and pay your respects to the Mary D. Hume.

View Larger Map

Cape Sebastian

Cape Sebastian offers stunning views to the north and south on a clear day. This is a "must" for anyone traveling the Pacific Coast Highway Route 101 through Oregon. From the south parking lot, there is a spectacular view of the Pistol River, 3 miles (5 km) to the south. The Point Saint George Lighthouse and Crescent City are 34 miles (55 km) due south. Don't stay in your car, but venture out a short distance on the trail on the west side of the parking lot for views ... more

Pistol River

Pistol River, OR, is one of the most scenic stretches along any coast in the world. There are numerous scenic viewpoints along Route 101 to pull over and watch the Pacific Ocean. Meyers Beach and Hunters Cove are a favorite of surfers, wind surfers and equestrians, and is a wide, kid and pet friendly beach to walk along. At night, it is not unusual ... more

Gold Beach beaches

The beach immediately west of the town of Gold Beach is known as Agate Beach. It stretches from the south jetty of the Rogue River, down to Cape Sebastian. Towards the center is a landmark rock outcropping known as Kissing Rock which itself is located along Hunter Creek. To the north of the Rogue, and outside the city limits of Gold Beach is Bailey Beach. This beach is listed on some maps, ... more

Agness

Agness is a charming tiny (population: 113 in 2007) community located near the confluence of two Wild and Scenic Rivers—the Lower Rogue River and the Illinois River. The Agness area is popular for fishing and hiking. Agness is in the Siskiyou National Forest and was threatened by the Biscuit Fire in 2002. Agness is served by one of only two rural mail boat routes still operating in the U.S. (The other is on the Snake River in Idaho). The mailboat runs on the Rogue River between ... more

Kissing Rock

Kissing Rock, located just south of Gold Beach, OR, on US Route 101, next to Hunter Creek, and is a short walk to the kid and pet friendly wide beach. Stop and enjoy and watch the sunset or take a fairly long hike south to Cape Sebastian.

Sisters Rocks

For the more adventurous, looking for views, a sea cave and remote beaches, don't miss the Sisters Rocks. Sisters Rocks is a Oregon State Park but without any improvements. Sisters Rocks are three outcroppings, two of which are connected to land. Middle Sister is a short distance off shore. Sisters Rocks is also known as the Devil's Backbone Rocky Shore Area and consists of 2.7 miles of offshore rocks and sandy beaches. The offshore rocks and islands are part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge and contain colonies of seabirds. Sea lions are common in the area. Activities include tidepooling, beachcombing, bird watching, ... more

Port of Port Orford

The port of Port Orford, OR, is an active home of commercial fishermen. No visit to the area is complete without a quick drive to the port. Turn towards the ocean on Washington or Oregon Street for a quick tour of the port of Port Orford.

After a tour of the port, don't miss out on the other activities around Port Orford. There is Cape Blanco and the lighthouse, just to the north. The Port Orford Heads State Park and Museum is in town, while Battle Rock is just south of the Port, on the southern edge of town. Then some of the most amazing views are right on Route 101, the Pacific Coast Highway, south of Port Orford through to Humbug State Park.

Arch Rock

Arch Rock is a natural bridge located just off shore in the blue Pacific ocean. A convenient parking lot just off Route 101 offers ample parking and a short paved walk is just the place to try out that digital camera.

Arch Rock is the near the northern end of the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor and is also the northern end of a long stretch of the Oregon Coast Trail that rarely touches US Route 101. This portion of the trail offers stunning views and is well worth hiking. This unbroken portion of the trail continues south to House Rock and is excellent for day hiking.

Arch Rock is located about midway between Brookings and Gold Beach, on the Oregon coast.

Secret Beach

Secret Beach is a very small beach located on a trail just south of Spruce Island Viewpoint and north of Thunder Rock Cove. There are two theories as to how this beach got its name. One is that there is not an official parking lot or designation. The other is that the furthest of the three beaches is only accessible during exceptionally low tides and was visited by only a few people each year. Secret Beach is hardly a secret anymore and, although very pretty, it is visited by tourists. The first beach is accessible at any tide. Follow the path down to the parking area, then there is a steep and somewhat challenging climb down a rock, across a small stream to a beach. At low tide, it is possible ... more

Spruce Island

The Spruce Island Viewpoint is located north of Brookings near US Route 101 mile marker 345. It is also a favorite parking lot for those hiking to Secret Beach.

South from the parking lot, there is about a 0.3 mile hike along the Oregon Coast Trail to a view of Spruce Island. Continue along the trail and visit the not-so-secret picturesque Secret Beach and Miner Creek.

North from the parking lot, the coast trail leads to Arch Rock Park. The hike is about 1/2 a mile and is fairly easy.

View Larger Map

Schrader Old Growth Trail

Frances Schrader Old Growth Trail 1172 (alternate spelling: Shrader) includes old growth Douglas fir and hardwoods trees all in a compact, easy to hike 1 to 1.5 mile (2.4 km) gravel trail. These majestic trees rival the California Redwoods in stature. A guide is available near the trailhead directing the hiker to numbered posts for areas of special interest along the trail.

The trail is suitable for all ages, is extremely well maintained and includes two benches and two picnic tables. There is a suitably large parking lot and a restroom.

To reach the trail, from US Route 101 at the Rogue River, travel east along Jerry's Flat Road (County road 595) for 10 miles. Just before the Lobster Creek Bridge across the Rogue, is a right turn up Forest Service road 33 (Spur Road 060). There is a sign for the trail at this turn. The first portion of the road is paved, but it soon gives way to gravel but it is easily traveled by car. It is 2 miles (3 km) to the parking lot. The trailhead is immediately across the gravel road.

For more information, consult the Gold Beach Ranger District Office.

Jerry's Rogue River Jet Boats
800-451-3645
(541) 247-4571
29985 Harbor Way
Gold Beach, OR 97444

Map of Gold Beach

View Gold Beach - Port Orford Sighseeing in a larger map