One does not need to travel far to find quality hikes in and around Bandon. Whether you’re looking for a short stroll, a multi-day backpack trip or something in between, you’re bound to find what you’re looking for. Hiking in Bandon is a wonderful way to see the many beautiful sites as well as get fresh air and exercise.

Many of the nearby trails are listed here, but for a more complete list and guide, you may want to get a copy of the book 100 Hikes/Travel Guide Oregon Coast & Coast Range by the prolific Oregon hiking writer William L. Sullivan.

Local author Tom Baake‘s book Out Our Back Door, Oregon South Coast Driving Tours and Day-Hikes is another great resource for hikes in the South Coast area.

Interested in hiking in Bandon with a group? The South Coast Striders, based in Coos Bay, organizes regular hikes to many of the interesting places in the South Coast area.

The following hikes are organized from north to south.

Hiking in Bandon, Oregon

Shore Acres

This .6 or 4.4 mile hike begins at Shore Acres State Park 26 miles north of Bandon near Coos Bay. Features include ocean cliffs, sea lions and formal gardens. You hike can take you through two neighboring State Parks as well: Cape Arago State Park and Sunset Bay State Park. You’ll enjoy the beautiful gardens, rich history, and of course the views. Be sure to bring your camera! Shore Acres is wheelchair accessible, and camping is available at the park.

South Slough Estuary

A total of about 5 miles of hiking trails start at the South Slough Estuarian Reserve, approximately 21 miles north of Bandon. Here, several acres of pastureland are being reclaimed by natural wetlands. Features include wetlands, edible berries, and young trees. The paths are wheelchair accessible. Be sure to visit the Interpretive Center to learn more about the wetlands, get a hiking map, and look at the most recent display of local art.

Fivemile Point and Whiskey Run Beach

A 1.6 or 3.5 mile loop begin at Whiskey Run Beach, about 10 miles north of Bandon. From the parking area at Whiskey Run Beach, head north up the beach .8 miles to Five Mile Point and return, or continue .7 miles to the beginning of a forest where you will walk on a path through the forest leading to a dirt road, then back to the parking area. Features include sea birds, tide pools (at low tide), and sea lions. The forested part includes Sitka spruce trees, native salal plants, and viewpoints.

Bandon Dunes Trails

Bandon Dunes isnt just for golfers anymore! They have created several trails for anyone to enjoy. All are invited to explore the trails and experience wildlife sightings, watching golfers, The Labyrinth, and stunning views, all within a few miles of Bandon.

Bullards Beach

Just 3 miles north of Bandon is Bullards Beach with several walking paths and beach access for as much hiking as you want. Features include dunes, sea birds, and a lighthouse to explore when open. Some paths are wheelchair accessible, and many of the trails are open to both horses and hikers. Camping which includes horse camps is available.

The Bandon Beaches/Bandon Islands

Some of the best hiking in Bandon is right on its beautiful beaches. Accessed from several places along Beach Loop Drive or from Old Town, the wide beach allows for several miles of walking to the north, the south, or both. At high tide, hikers may have to climb the stairs near the Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint, but the tide does not affect the vast majority of the walking. Features include sea birds, photography, beachcombing, huge rocks, Face Rock, picnicking, starfish, sea anemones, a jetty, the Coquille River, and shallow fresh water streams.

New River

12 miles south of Bandon is the New River of Critical Environmental Concern, which, according to local legend, was named when someone observed this new river formed after a flood in the late 1800s and pointed it out by saying, Hey! A new river! It is a protective habitat for hundreds of birds, reptiles, and other animals and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. An easy 2.3 mile loop takes hikers from the Learning Center past a few views of the river as well as some interesting natural and man-made sites. Trail maps feature this and shorter walks as well as information about what you will see while there. Features include sea birds, photography, river bank, forested dunes, Muddy Lake, an old cranberry bog and viewpoints.

Blacklock Point andFloras Lake

One of the lesser known hikes in the area is Blacklock Point, starting about 23 miles south of Bandon near the community of Langlois. A few loop options of the moderate and difficult levels and ranging from 4 to 9 miles are available, one of which takes hikers to nearby Floras Lake, popular among birders and windsurfers. Depending on the chosen loop, features include rhododendrons, flowers, edible berries, tidepools, forest, the lake and a waterfall. Possible backpacking.

Cape Blanco State Park

Cape Blanco State Park, a 28 mile drive south from Bandon, is the westernmost point in Oregon and is, as a result, sometimes the windiest place in Oregon. Several loops are possible here from an easy 1 mile walk to a difficult 7 mile hike. Features include a beautiful lighthouse with excellent photo opportunities, wildlife, beachcombing, viewpoints, picnicking, and wildflowers. Camping is available and at certain times of the year is difficult to come by, so make your reservations early!

Port Orford Heads

A quick drive up the hill from Port Orford, approximately 28 miles south of Bandon, is the former Coast Guard lifeboat station and Port Orford Heads State Park. An easy 1.2 mile loop from there allows hikers to enjoy both the natural surroundings and the stations interesting history. Features include windswept hillside, crashing waves, viewpoints, forest, historical sites. While you’re there, be sure to tour the museum and check out the lifeboat.

Humbug Mountain

Humbug Mountain, a 33 mile drive south of Bandon, is one of the areas most strenuous hikes, but the scenery and the view from the top make it well worth the effort. A 5.5 mile loop trail takes hikers to the top and back. Features include maple, Douglas fir and the famous myrtlewood trees, ferns, and views. Some is wheelchair accessible, and camping is available at Humbug Mountain State Park. See our other blog post all about a hiking adventure on Humbug Mountain.

Oregon Coast Trail

For those interested in a backpacking excursion or day hikes on sections, the Oregon Coast Trail is something to look into. Divided into 10 sections, the trail extends for 382 miles, beginning at the northernmost point of the Oregon Coast at the Columbia River and ending in the Crissey Field State Recreation Site at the California border. The majority of the trail is on Oregon’s beaches, and the remainder is along city streets, county roads and the shoulder of Highway 101.

For even more information and ideas for hikes, check out the handy Coos Regional Trails website. With the South Coast’s mild climate, any time of year is a good time for hiking, so get out there and enjoy it!