Coos Bay cape arago · Cape Arago in Coos Bay
All Destinations | Europe | Asia | North America | Africa | South America | Oceania | Hotels
Cape Arago in Coos Bay
Cape Arago in Coos Bay
Located just minutes West and then a few more south, Cape Arago boasts three of the greatest State Parks, not just great in Oregon, but in the Nation.
- Sunset Bay State Park is the residential area with an outstanding camp ground. As it's name implies it is near a bay of the same name which has a nice beach and water tens of degrees warmer that on the open coast. The North shore of the bay has what probably are the most accessible tide pools on the Oregon coast.
- Just south is Shore Acres State Park with the stunning botanical garden of the same name. A spectacular Christmas light display event; see pictures at The Gardener's Cottage and the garden around it are all that remains of the Simpson Estate. Oh! but what a remainder; every season is glorious, Rhododendrons in the spring, Roses in the summer and Dalias in the fall.
- At the southern boundary of Shore Acres State Park is the Simpson Reef Viewing Platform, financed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and built by Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). The offshore rocks, including Shell Island, are part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge and are a valuable resource for the four species of Seals and Sea Lions. The two Sea Lion species, California Sea Lions and Steller (or Northern) Sea Lions only loaf and rest here. Both of the Seal species give birth to pups here and mate to start the next years pups. Friday through Monday of most weeks from Memorial Day until Labor Day there are Docents of Shoreline Education for Awareness (SEA) at the viewing platform with powerful spotting scopes offered by knowledgeable wildlife interpreters who offer informative brochures. More details are found on SEA's web site
- From the south end of the viewing platform to the turn around loop at the south end of the road is Cape Arago State Park. With views of Shell Island and Simpson Reef from another angle as well as a view of rocks south of the cape it is a better place to look for the Gray Whales who remain here through the summer and fall instead of continuing to the feeding grounds on both sides of the Aleutian Islands. There is also a steep but paved path down into South Cove where there is a much richer tide pool area; richer because it is harder to access.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Coos Bay
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Coos Bay - updated May 2024
SAVE up to 75% on Last Minute deals! Search for discount Coos Bay hotels, motels, apartments, hostels, guest accommodations and vacation resorts. Book now and pay at the hotel. Instant email confirmation!
>>> SEARCH FOR DEALS <<<
WHERE TO TRAVEL NEXT IN 2020
Coos Bay Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.