Cape Arago State Park - Oregon

Cape Arago was first sighted by Europeans on one of the Drake Expeditions in the 1500s but was used before that by Native Americans. The park is located on a 134-acre promontory which juts half a mile into the ocean, and its beauty lies in its coastal element. There are two main trails available to park-goers; the south cove, which leads to a sandy beach and tide pools, and the north cove where visitors can fish, comb the beach and view marine life including seals and sea lions. One can enjoy a picnic amidst the bluffs and, when here, make sure to keep your eyes peeled for distant ships and a variety of bird species that call Cape Arago home. With its abundance of untouched natural beauty, a visit to Cape Arago promises to be a day trip not soon forgotten.

Cape Arago may be the end of the road (the road out of Coos Bay goes no further), but it's really only the beginning if you want to explore the southern Oregon coast.

Located at the end of Cape Arago Highway about 15 miles southwest of Coos Bay, Cape Arago is a scenic headland jutting into the Pacific Ocean. Long used by native Americans, Cape Arago was first sighted by Europeans during one of Sir Francis Drake's expeditions in the late 1500s. Modern visitors can scan the horizon for migrating whales and other marine mammals, as well as fishing boats and ships entering and leaving nearby Coos Bay. The south cove trail leads down to a sandy beach and superior tide pools where you can visit intertidal plants and animals (but please enjoy them with your eyes only). The north cove trail provides access for fishing, beachcombing, and viewing the off-shore colonies of seals and sea lions at Shell Island -- a designated National Wildlife Refuge. The trail is closed March 1- June 30 to protect seal pups. Picnic tables, restrooms and a gazebo shelter are available for daytime use.