Explore Sunset Bay State Park

One of our other favorite campgrounds on the Oregon Coast is Sunset Bay. The park is located off US 101, 12 miles SW of Coos Bay.

This park is located in one of the most scenic areas on the Oregon coast.

The campground has sites for tents and RV’s as well as cozy and comfortable yurts.

The sites are mostly private and leveled with tall trees surronding the camp sites.

The great thing we like about this park is the beautiful sandy beach that is protected by towering sea cliffs. There is easy access for beachcombing, fishing, swimming and boating.

The park is located right next to Shore Acres that was once the home of a lumber baron named Louis Simpson.

You don’t want to miss this site as it is spectacular. The gardens are fabulous!

Fishing and Crabbing

While you are at the beach why not go take in that great pastime of fishing or crabbing.

I have found that when I am fishing I forget all about my worries and just enjoy myself. It is very relaxing!

The park offers a great place for cleaning your catch. There are some great places around to go fishing and the crabbing is great at Charleston.

You can either rent a boat or there are some great charter boats.

Yurts At Sunset Bay

There is a network of hiking trails. Hiking these trails will give you a chance to see costal forests and spectacular ocean views from atop the rugged cliffs and headlands.

Another nice thing is the seasonal wildflowers. On one point of the hike you can even see Cape Arago lighthouse .

Oregon Coast Trail

If you like to hike you can explore the 4 mile trail from Sunset Bay to Cape Arago.

There is some beautiful scenery on the hike as well as wildlife.

There is a shorter ½ mile hike that you can follow.

Follow the signs from the mouth of Big Creek to the viewpoint overlooking Sunset Bay.

To find out more about Sunset Bay contact

Oregon State Parks
Website
http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/PARKS/index.shtml

Tidepools At Sunset Bay

Tide pools are home to many marine invertebrates such as sea stars, limpets, urchins and hermit crabs.

Please remember that it is prohibited to remove any of these interesting creatures.

I remember when I was a little girl we use to see sea stars (we use to call them star fish) all the time but they aren’t as abundant as they were then.

Thousands of visitors each year enjoy exploring the tide pools.

The picture below is of the tide pools at the park.

sunset bay tide pools

Watch the wildlife

When you visit the Simpson Reef wildlife viewing area you can see four species of fin-footed marine mammals on Shell Island and the offshore rocks.

The area is a resting place for Harbor Seals, Stellar Sea Lions, California Sea Lions and Elephant Seals.

Oregon’s offshore rocks are part of the Oregon Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Interpretive Theater

This is a picture of the Interpretive program theater.

There is always something going on here.

The really nice thing about this park is they regularly have interpretive programs in their outdoor theater.

There different programs all the time and you can learn a lot about the area you are in and also about safe camping.

There are programs that show you the different wildlife and plants in the area.

It is a lot of fun and the kids love them.

The picture above shows the screen that some of the programs and shown on.

Remember, Let The Waves Tickle Your Toes.

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