Comments on: Oregon Coast Trail Backpacking Guide – Bandon to Port Orford

By: Marci Ebur-Perrott

Marci Ebur-Perrott — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 18:41:09 +0000

My husband and I are hoping to do this hike in the beginning of August. We have backpacked the coast in Olympic National Park before and rogue waves were an issue. Campsites were tucked away in the woods off the beach. Since it doesn't sound like there are many wooded options on this hike, I was wondering the best way to protect ourselves and our tent at night from sneaker waves. Thank you for all the info!

By: Meredith T

Meredith T — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 20:53:56 +0000

What resources did you find for checking current river levels and conditions? I've talked to the local BLM and state parks, and looked around online and haven't found anything. We have a trip planned for this coming weekend and have had lots of rain the past few days, so we're a little concerned about the river crossings.

By: Dave Collins

Dave Collins — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 18:58:13 +0000

In reply to Joe McManus.

Hi Joe,

Ground tarps are actually more important for protecting the bottom of your tent from abrasion, so the tent will last longer. They don't really add water protection. We mostly don't backpack with tarps under our tents (they're also called ground sheets, ground cloths, or footprints). If your tent is waterproof already, you should be good to go, but you're more likely to get wear and tear on the bottom of your tent. Hope that helps,

By: Joe McManus

Joe McManus — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 21:39:29 +0000

Hey! This page is great -- really helpful!

Question: did you need a ground tarp in addition to your tent? (Trying to gauge how dry the camping areas are...) I'm aiming for a very light pack, so if I can leave the tarp at home that would be great, but since this is coastal it seems like there might be a lot of moisture? Thanks for advice!

By: Carl R

Carl R — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 21:48:08 +0000

Trying to do this over the 4th of July weekend coming up. Thanks for all the great information. If heading south (Brandon to Port Orford) and want to spend two nights on the trail where would you suggest are good spots to camp and break the hike up nicely (2 nights 3 days)? Thanks

By: Dave Collins

Dave Collins — Tue, 29 May 2018 20:09:26 +0000

In reply to kevin backpacker.

Thanks for the update Kevin! Good info. Glad to hear you had a nice trip.

By: kevin backpacker

kevin backpacker — Thu, 24 May 2018 03:27:25 +0000

Hiked this last weekend, Bandon to Port Orford, very nice. Negative tides and wind at my back. For the 12 mile restricted section, did not encounter another human being. I can see why they allowed it to become the home of the snowy plover, it is quite desolate. There is a BLM campsite in the middle of it (due west of New Lake), where you can access the New River for filtered water refills. All signage says you can camp there, too, but not really worth it unless you are just sleeping. The river crossings were not hard, but you will get wet. The Sixes went to about 3 feet deep.

By: Mary "Fireweed" Kwart

Mary "Fireweed" Kwart — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 02:56:04 +0000

Hi: We just hiked this section last week. The 4 mile river did not have an outlet to the ocean, but to the New River. And we couldn't access fresh water until Floras Lake. Where did you find fresh water between Bandon and Floral Lake?

By: Keri

Keri — Wed, 30 Aug 2017 22:42:38 +0000

Great info! I will be hiking with my dog so unfortunately will not be hiking south from Bandon. I plan to do an out and back with two nights camping and I'm wondering, is primitive beach camping okay between Agate Beach (Tseriadun State Recreation Area) and Cape Blanco?

By: Kip

Kip — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 17:58:18 +0000

In reply to Capri.

No, that piece of property used to be owned by Coos County, but now has been sold and is in private ownership. The only legal camping site is on BLM land 9.5 miles south of China Creek. There is a post on the foredune south of BLM's Snowy Plover Habitat Restoration Area marking the camping site.