Highway 101 on the South Oregon Coast on northwestplaces.com

This page covers from the Lane County / Douglas County line at mile post 198 to the Oregon / California state line along the Pacific Coast Beaches on US Highway – 101.

This area is known for its rugged coastline with beautiful beaches scattered among the cliffs.

	Highway 101 continues north on our Central Oregon Coast Page
Mile 198	Lane County / Douglas County Line Carter Lake Campground – USFS Campground with 23 sites. This campground accepts reservations
Mile 200	Dunes View Point – This view point is about ¼ mile from Highway 101. There is an accessible ramp up to the view point which overlooks miles of sand dunes. There is also a trail to the beach that is about a mile long, so they say but trails through the sand dunes always seem longer than they really are.
Mile 203	Tahkenitch Lake area. Tahkenitch Trailhead just north has several trails along the creek Tahkenitch Lake Boat Ramp and Landing – USFS Campground with 27 camp sites and no drinking water. Tahkenitch Campground – USFS has 34 camp sites with no hookups or drinking water. This campground is across Highway 101 from the lake.
Mile 209	Gardiner – This Village is located on the Mouth of the Umpqua River. The village is named after the captain of a ship that was wrecked here in 1850. There is a County Boat Launch located on the river here.
Mile 210	Smith River Boat Ramp – A County Parks Boat Ramp into the Smith River. Turn east on County Road 48 and the ramp is less than a block.
Mile 211	Umpqua River Bridge – This bridge is one of the famous historic bridges on the coast. Just south of the bridge is the Junction with Highway 38. It is a 58 mile trip to Interstate 5. Highway OR-38 Reedsport also lies south of the bridge. Reedsport has a population of around 5000 The Reedsport / Winchester Bay Chamber of Commerce and the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area office are in the same building. They can answer all your questions and have a wide variety of brochures about local activities and places of business. Hospital – The Lower Umpqua Hospital is located at 600 Ranch Road. 541-271-2171
Mile 215	The Village of Winchester Bay Salmon Harbor is a 900 boat marina at Winchester Bay. This is a unique tourist facility with shops, restaurants, art galleries, and lodging located in the marina area. The Umpqua Lighthouse loop begins here and loops back to Highway 101 at Mile Post 217. The original lighthouse was the first lighthouse in Oregon Territory. It was lower and by the river. In the flood of 1861 it was undermined by the river and destroyed. It was rebuilt in its current location from 1891 to 1894 when it again cast its light to mariners. The light has 800 prisms that were hand cut in Paris, France in 1891. The lens is 5 ft. in diameter, 10 feet high and weighs two tons. Original illumination was oil and it was converted to a 210,000 candlepower electric light in 1934. The tower is 65 feet tall and the elevation at its base is 165 feet above sea level. It can be seen from 19 miles off the shore. Information courtesy of a U.S. Coast Guard plaque at the base of the lighthouse. Umpqua Lighthouse State Park The campground is on Lake Marie, which is less than one mile from Salmon Harbor on Winchester Bay. They have 20 full hookup sites, 24 tent, 8 yurts, and two log cabins. Visit their web site. http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_121.php
Mile 217	Winchester Bay View Point – You can see the bay and the lighthouse from here (photo above). You can see the jetties at the Umpqua River entrance in the sea below.
Mile 220	Douglas County / Coos County Line
Mile 221	William Tugman State Park This park offers full services for RV’s and campers and has Yurts. It is on the Oregon State Parks Reservation System. Visit their web site http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_98.php
Mile 222	The Northern road to the Town of Lakeside, which is one mile to the East to city center. Eel Creek Campground – USFS is located here and has 52 sites for RV’s and campers. This park is a favorite for dunes lovers. Umpqua Dunes Trail head is also located here with a one mile loop and a 5 mile trail to the beach. Some of the highest dunes on the coast are located in this area. Approximately ¾ of a mile south is the southern entrance to the Town of Lakeside.
Mile 224	Spinreel Campground – USFS campground with 36 sites. This is a ATV favorite for dunes access.
Mile 232	Horsfall Dunes ORV Area Horsfall Campground – USFS Sandtracks Picnic area Bluebill Campground – USFS with 18 sites. Wild Mare Horse Camp – USFS horse camp with corrals. Horse fall Beach Campground and Day use area – USFS parking area which accommodates up to 70 larger RV’s. This is an ORV haven.
Mile 234	McCullough Bridge – built in 1936 this is the largest historic bridge on the coast.
Mile 235	North Bend The population here is over 9000. This City is locate on Coos Bay and runs together with the City of Coos Bay. North Bend The Cape Arago Loop on Highway240 – the Village of Charleston and the parks at cape Arago are on this page. Coos County Historical Museum Simpson Park North Bend Information Center
Mile 237	The City of Coos Bay – Coos Bay is the largest city on the Oregon Coast. It was founded by J. C. Tolman in 1854. In 1944 the city changed its name to Coos Bay from its original name of Marshfield. The port here is very busy and is one of the busiest timber products ports on the coast. Coos Bay The Coos Art Museum is located at 235 Anderson Avenue. It shows both local and national exhibits.
Mile 244	Junction with Highway 42 east to Roseburg, Coquille, Myrtle Point, Winston, and Interstate 5. It is a 75 mile trip to Interstate 5. Highway OR-42
Mile 253 Mile 256	Seven Devils Loop Road – This loop road is the southern end of the Cape Largo Highway.
Mile 259	Bullards Beach State Park – 190 campsites with electrical and water or full hookups. They also have Yurts. This park is in the Oregon State Parks Reservation System. Visit their web site: http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_71.php
Mile 270	Jct. with OR-42S Highway OR-42S Bandon Bandon, OR – Bandon has a great harbor and beaches making this a popular vacation destination. It has become somewhat of an artist’s colony which has lead to several good art galleries locating here. Major industries in the area are cranberries, fishing, timber, and dairy products. The town of Bandon is made up of two parts. The first is the town which is up on a flat plain above the Coquille River and the Ocean Beach. The ocean beaches west of town have cliffs or very steep banks down to the beach. The City has built hiking trails and a stairway structure down to the beach. You can see the top landing of the stairway at the left in the photo. The photo was taken on a rainy winter day with the surf pounding the rocks and beach. The other section of town is “Old Town” located at the north end of the city. The Chamber of Commerce has a well stocked and friendly staffed visitor center at the entrance to “Old Town”. Old town fronts on the Coquille River with its marina for both commercial and pleasure craft. Charter boats and other activities are available here. “Old Town” is full of interesting gift shops, candy shops, restaurants, and other stores of interest to the tourist. The Coquille River Museum operated by the Bandon Historical Society is located at 270 Fillmore S.E. It features exhibits of the cranberry, cheese, fishing, and timber industries. It displays over 1000 photos of the history of the area.
Mile 275	Ocean Spray Cranberry facility. This factory is not open to the public
Mile 277	Bradley Lake – There is a free boat launch here.
Mile 281	West Coast Game Park Safari – They are one of only two wildlife parks in Oregon. They say they are America’s largest petting park. Over 75 species are housed in the park. This is a private park that charges an admission.
Mile 283	Cranberry Bogs – These bogs are where the cranberries for your turkey dinner come from.
Mile 285	The Coos County / Curry County Line
Mile 287	Langlois – This small village has very limited tourist facilities.
Mile 288	Floras Lake - Boice-Cope County Park – camping
Mile 290	Denmark – This small village has no tourist facilities
Mile 295	Sixes River – The Sixes Hotel is located on the east side of the highway
Mile 296	Road to cape Blanco heads west for five miles to Cape Blanco. Cape Blanco State Park – 54 RV and camping sites with electricity, four cabins, a hiker/biker area, and a horse camp. This park is in the Oregon State Parks Reservation System, their web site have more information. Visit their web site. http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_62.php The Historic Hughes House – This 1898 historic Victorian home is open for tours from May to September, Thursday through Monday from 10 AM to 3:30 PM.
Mile 300	Paradise Point State Park – Beach access with no facilities.
Mile 301	Port Orford – Population of 1000. Cranberries are the area’s main crop with the timber industry running a close second. Port Orford is a natural deep water port. This town is the continental US’s most westerly city. There is a Visitor Center at the Chamber of Commerce in Battle Rock Park. Port Orford
Mile 395	Humbug Mountain State Park – It has 30 full hookup campsite and 78 tent sites. It also has a hiker/biker camp. This park is in the Oregon State Parks Reservation System. The day use area with picnic tables and restrooms is south of the campground along a creek. The park has ocean beach access. This 1800 acre park also has a 3 mile long trail to the top of the mountain. Visit their web site http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_56.php
Mile 313	Prehistoric Gardens – life-sized dinosaur models and other things fun for children are located in this private attraction that charges a fee to attend. This is a great place to take a break from driving with the children.
Mile316	A view point with an ocean view.
Mile 317	The small village of Ophir. The village is located to the east of the highway.
Mile 321	Nesika Beach – A small residential village.
Mile 322	Geisel Monument State Heritage Site. A wayside dedicated to the memory of John Geisel and his three sons.
Mile 327	Wedderburn – A small village on the north side of the Rogue River where highway 101 crosses the river. It is host to one of the companies that run jet boats up the Rogue River. The Rogue River – Highway 101 crosses the famous Rogue River here. The bridge is interesting but the river has been made especially famous because of the jet boat trips up this beautiful river. Most rivers you can see on a map, some rivers you can drive along for a while, but this river offers spectacular views of the river from jet boat rides up the river for miles and miles.
Mile 328	Gold Beach, OR – This city is a vacation Mecca. Year round fishing is one of the main tourist attractions. There is also whale watching, hiking, golf, beachcombing, and of course ocean watching. Gold Beach
Mile 329	South Beach Park – Beach access
Mile 330	Hunter Creek – Beach Access
Mile 334	Cape Sebastian Scenic Overlook<

Tahkenitch Lake Boat Ramp and Landing – USFS Campground with 27 camp sites and no drinking water.

Sandtracks Picnic area

Coos County Historical Museum

North Bend Information Center

The Historic Hughes House – This 1898 historic Victorian home is open for tours from May to September, Thursday through Monday from 10 AM to 3:30 PM.