Established in 1983, Bandon Marsh NWR is located along the picturesque
southern Oregon coast near the mouth of the Coquille River and the city of
Bandon. Its invertebrate-rich mudflats fuel the migration of tens of thousands
of shorebirds every spring and fall, making it an important stopover site
along the Pacific Flyway. Young salmon and trout find sanctuary in the
estuary's steep-banked tidal channels and anchored driftwood.

The freshwater and intertidal marshes, forested wetlands, grasslands, and
upland forest of Bandon Marsh NWR are the ancestral home of the Coquille
Indian Tribe, whose members reside in the area and continue to use and enjoy
the many resources of the Refuge.

<p>Established in 1983, Bandon Marsh NWR is located along the picturesque southern Oregon coast near the mouth of the Coquille River and the city of Bandon. Its invertebrate-rich mudflats fuel the migration of tens of thousands of shorebirds every spring and fall, making it an important stopover site along the Pacific Flyway. Young salmon and trout find sanctuary in the estuary's steep-banked tidal channels and anchored driftwood.</p><p>The freshwater and intertidal marshes, forested wetlands, grasslands, and upland forest of Bandon Marsh NWR are the ancestral home of the Coquille Indian Tribe, whose members reside in the area and continue to use and enjoy the many resources of the Refuge.</p>

Bird's eye view of the park

Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge

South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve is located in a sheltered arm
that forms the southern end of the Coos estuary in southwestern Oregon. The
Reserve and its watershed protect a relatively undisturbed area representative
of coastal ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest. Its uplands are characterized
by steep slopes supporting conifer forests with stream systems supplying fresh
water to the estuary. The lowlands support freshwater wetlands and ponds, high
and low salt marshes that have experienced varying degrees of disturbance and
recovery, emergent islands including Valino Island, sand and mud flats, and
beds of eelgrass (both native Zostera marina, and the introduced Zostera
japonica) which cover a significant portion of the Coos estuary substrate. The
reserve is important habitat for salmon, great blue herons, bald eagles,
migrating ducks, elk, sea otters, oysters and crabs.

South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve is located in a sheltered arm that forms the southern end of the Coos estuary in southwestern Oregon. The Reserve and its watershed protect a relatively undisturbed area representative of coastal ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest.  Its uplands are characterized by steep slopes supporting conifer forests with stream systems supplying fresh water to the estuary.  The lowlands support freshwater wetlands and ponds, high and low salt marshes that have experienced varying degrees of disturbance and recovery, emergent islands including Valino Island, sand and mud flats, and beds of eelgrass (both native Zostera marina, and the introduced Zostera japonica) which cover a significant portion of the Coos estuary substrate.  The reserve is important habitat for salmon, great blue herons, bald eagles, migrating ducks, elk, sea otters, oysters and crabs.

Forest in South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, Oregon

Kayaker paddling in South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, Oregon

Chmoosh paddling in South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, Oregon

South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve

Running parallel to the Pacific Ocean for nine miles, New River is separated
from the ocean by only a thin strip of sand. Many rare birds, animals and
plants depend on New River's estuary, forest, meadow, wetland, and shrub
habitat for survival. The area remains secluded and primitive and is a perfect
area to watch wildlife or hike on the five miles of self-guided loop trails.
There are four main access points to the New River Area of Critical
Environmental Concern: Storm Ranch, Floras Lake, Lost Lake and Fourmile.
Visitors can also view state of the art displays about the area at the Nature
Center at Storm Ranch.

## Know Before You Go:

  * Open Year Round.
  * Vault restrooms.
  * Day-use only; open sunrise to sunset.
  * No drinking water available.
  * Please keep pets on a leash.
  * Small boat launch for non-motorized watercraft.

## Point of Interest:

The threatened western Snowy Plover calls the New River area home. Please
observe posted closures on the Storm Ranch road and beach March 15 to
September 15.

<p>Running parallel to the Pacific Ocean for nine miles, New River is separated from the ocean by only a thin strip of sand. Many rare birds, animals and plants depend on New River's estuary, forest, meadow, wetland, and shrub habitat for survival. The area remains secluded and primitive and is a perfect area to watch wildlife or hike on the five miles of self-guided loop trails. There are four main access points to the New River Area of Critical Environmental Concern: Storm Ranch, Floras Lake, Lost Lake and Fourmile. Visitors can also view state of the art displays about the area at the Nature Center at Storm Ranch.</p>

<h2>Know Before You Go:</h2>

<ul>
	<li>Open Year Round.</li>
	<li>Vault restrooms.</li>
	<li>Day-use only; open sunrise to sunset.</li>
	<li>No drinking water available.</li>
	<li>Please keep pets on a leash.</li>
	<li>Small boat launch for non-motorized watercraft.</li>
</ul>

<h2>Point of Interest:</h2>

<p>The threatened western Snowy Plover calls the New River area home. Please observe posted closures on the Storm Ranch road and beach March 15 to September 15.</p>

View of Floras Lake at the southern portion of New River Area of Critical Environmental Concern

View of the exterior of the New River Nature Center at Storm Ranch.

New River Nature Center at Storm Ranch

New River at sunset.

New River at 4-Mile Creek

Fore dunes and beach grass at New River Area of Critical Environmental Concern.

New River Area of Critical Environmental Concern

Ten miles of Easiest to More Difficult trails and gravel roads open to Class
III (motorcycles) vehicles with Oregon all-terrain vehicle permits and all
non-motorized modes of travel. Limited to designated roads and trails. Riding
conditions are best in fall and spring. Areas may be snowed out in the winter
months. Trails get dusty during the summer months and may be closed due to
fire restrictions. Please avoid using the trails when wet (October – June) to
prevent unnecessary damage and erosion to the trail system.

<p>Ten miles of Easiest to More Difficult trails and gravel roads open to Class III (motorcycles) vehicles with Oregon all-terrain vehicle permits and all non-motorized modes of travel. Limited to designated roads and trails. Riding conditions are best in fall and spring. Areas may be snowed out in the winter months. Trails get dusty during the summer months and may be closed due to fire restrictions. Please avoid using the trails when wet (October – June) to prevent unnecessary damage and erosion to the trail system.</p>

Start of the Jigiyat trail at Blue Ridge Trail System

Multiple use trail at the Blue Ridge Trail System

Forest view at the Blue Ridge Trail System

View along eh Mud Bog Alley Trail at the Blue Ridge Trail System

Blue Ridge Trail System

## Notice:

**Sand roads on the North Spit are closed until December 2025 to protect
public safety while the Army Corps of Engineers uses the area to make repairs
to the Coos Bay's North Jetty. The boat launch and hiking trails remain open;
however, public access to the beach will be closed during this time period.
Pleasesee this map for more details.**

## Overview:

Made up of open sand dunes, forested islands, and wetlands, the North Spit of
Coos Bay is at the southern-most end of a series of sand dunes extending along
the Oregon coastline from Florence to Coos Bay. There are 10 miles of
hiking/horse trails, sand driving roads, an undeveloped staging area and miles
of beach waiting for you to explore. The North Spit boat launch also offers a
full-size boat ramp, ample trailer parking, restrooms, and running water.

## Know Before You Go:

  * Open year-round.
  * Open fires are prohibited during fire season (July 1 - Sept. 30) including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires, and warming fires. Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed.
  * Dispersed camping allowed for up to 14-days; no overnight camping at the North Spit boat launch.
  * Site host at the North Spit boat launch.
  * OHVs allowed on designated routes. Vehicles must display a safety flag and Oregon State OHV sticker.

## Point of Interest:

The North Spit of Coos Bay is home to the threatened western snowy plover.
From March 15 to September 15 each year, access restrictions are in place on
the dry sand along the ocean shore to protect the nesting birds. Beware of
sneaker waves and never turn your back to the ocean!

<h2>Notice:</h2>

<p><strong>Sand roads on the North Spit are closed until December 2025 to protect public safety while the Army Corps of Engineers uses the area to make repairs to the Coos Bay's North Jetty. The boat launch and hiking trails remain open; however, public access to the beach will be closed during this time period. Please <a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blm.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fdocs%2F2023-03%2Fnorth-spit-jetty-access-map.pdf&data=05%7C01%7Cczwemke%40blm.gov%7C51df550e92a243b3506508db26e80db6%7C0693b5ba4b184d7b9341f32f400a5494%7C0%7C0%7C638146550319285025%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Th%2BoZLvuBqaqxeHosUbGs51Ufi6UPs5y%2FbPz5WPMjFs%3D&reserved=0" rel="nofollow">see this map for more details</a>.</strong></p>

<h2>Overview:</h2>

<p>Made up of open sand dunes, forested islands, and wetlands, the North Spit of Coos Bay is at the southern-most end of a series of sand dunes extending along the Oregon coastline from Florence to Coos Bay. There are 10 miles of hiking/horse trails, sand driving roads, an undeveloped staging area and miles of beach waiting for you to explore. The North Spit boat launch also offers a full-size boat ramp, ample trailer parking, restrooms, and running water.</p>

<h2>Know Before You Go:</h2>

<ul>
	<li>Open year-round.</li>
	<li>Open fires are prohibited during fire season (July 1 - Sept. 30) including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires, and warming fires. Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed.</li>
	<li>Dispersed camping allowed for up to 14-days; no overnight camping at the North Spit boat launch.</li>
	<li>Site host at the North Spit boat launch.</li>
	<li>OHVs allowed on designated routes. Vehicles must display a safety flag and <a href="https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/ATV/Pages/ATV-permits.aspx" rel="nofollow">Oregon State OHV sticker</a>.</li>
</ul>

<h2>Point of Interest:</h2>

<p>The North Spit of Coos Bay is home to the threatened western snowy plover. From March 15 to September 15 each year, access restrictions are in place on the dry sand along the ocean shore to protect the nesting birds. Beware of sneaker waves and never turn your back to the ocean!</p>

Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve

New River Area of Critical Environmental Concern

Blue Ridge Trail System

The North Spit