OREGON ISLANDS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
If you ever questioned just how rocky the Oregon coastline is, you need only look at the number of offshore rocks protected as part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge - 1,853. The refuge also protects offshore islands and two headlands. Although all offshore areas and the Crook Point headland unit are closed to public access, Coquille Point in Bandon, Oregon is open and provides beautiful viewpoints from its interpretative trail. Bring binoculars and you may see Common Murres, Brandt's Cormorants and Western Gulls on the rocks, with rarer sightings of Tufted Puffins. Take the stairs to the beach, and look for harbor seals, Black Oystercatchers, turnstones and a variety of intertidal life. (The main staircase to the beach is currently closed, but there is a secondary staircase at the opposite end of the trail.) And even though other areas of Oregon Islands NWR are closed to protect seabird colonies, you can find viewpoints at other state and federal parks, including Cape Meares, Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, Heceta Head, Cape Arago and Harris Beach State Park.
USFWS Watchable Wildlife Map of the Oregon Coast
PFF Map of Coquille Point Unit
Directions: To reach the main entrance to the Coquille Point Unit in Bandon, Oregon, drive to the end of 11 Street SW. If you prefer a more direct route to the beach (given the closure of the main staircase), you can park in a much smaller parking area at the end of 8th Street SW.
USFWS Watchable Wildlife Map of the Oregon Coast
PFF Map of Coquille Point Unit
Directions: To reach the main entrance to the Coquille Point Unit in Bandon, Oregon, drive to the end of 11 Street SW. If you prefer a more direct route to the beach (given the closure of the main staircase), you can park in a much smaller parking area at the end of 8th Street SW.
