I’m embarrassed to admit it took about fifteen years of living in Oregon before we ventured down to the Southern Oregon Coast, and boy were we missing out. Bandon has all of the quintessential artistic Oregon beach town vibes, otherworldly sea stacks and rock formations, four of Oregon’s lighthouses within a short drive, and much more.
Bandon is a charming town located in Coos County on the mouth of the Coquille River in the heart of Oregon’s South Coast. Like much of the coast, it experiences cool, wet winters, and mild, dry summers. Bandon is located about 2.5 hours from Eugene, 3 hours from Medford, and 4+ hours from Portland.
While many prefer to escape to the coast in the hot summer months, we’ve had great experiences year-round, and I find the shoulder seasons of spring and fall to be a less crowded and more economical time to travel. All ideas below are free or by donation.
5 Interesting Things To Do in Bandon Oregon
Walk the labyrinth at Circles in the Sand.
If you can plan your visit around Circles in the Sand, do it, you won’t be disappointed! Circles in the Sand, located on the Face Rock Wayside, began in 2015 as a way for labyrinth artist Denny Dyke to share his passion with others. Together with a team, Circles continues to create ephemeral art as a walkable labyrinth in the sand at low tide, with the mission to share love, joy, and kindness. Everyone – even well-mannered leashed dogs – are welcome to walk the sand path. If you’d like, you can make a tax-deductible gift online, to support their work. The summer 2024 schedule runs from April 26 – August 23.
Experience an American Indian legend at Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint.
There are many photogenic sea stacks along the Oregon Coast, and quite a few of them reside in Bandon. If you’re participating in Circles in the Sand, you’ll already be at the Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint, and in the shadow of Face Rock which is a beautiful sight to behold and one with a very interesting story too. (And, if not, it makes an easy stop right near town.)
At first, I simply did not see the face, because I was looking for an upright face and had not read the legend until after our visit. I’d encourage you to read the legend before you explore the rock, and you will see Ewauna clearly!
According to the legend, Princess Ewauna, daughter of Chief Siskiyou, was warned not to take a moonlit swim or the evil spirit Seatka might grab her. She had never seen the ocean, ignored the warnings, and headed down to sea with her dog Komax and pet kittens. There, she was snatched up into his evil grasp, and for the rest of the time she refused to meet his gaze and looked upward to the friendly moon instead. (Source: http://www.thebandonguide.com.)
Witness the impact of plastic pollution on our oceans at Washed Ashore Gallery.
While in downtown Bandon, you must visit Washed Ashore Gallery – “Art to Save the Sea”, and learn about the impact of plastic pollution on our oceans and waterways. Large sculptures, made entirely from debris collected from surrounding beaches, represent the marine species that are most impacted and help educate the public on this troubling aspect of modern life. Hands-on projects at the gallery also help visitors think twice about the many ways that we are being buried in plastics through our choices (toothbrushes, combs, shoe soles, and more), and hopefully will inspire you to re-examine your own plastics consumption. To date, volunteers have collected 60,000 pounds of debris!
Hours: Monday – Tuesday: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. and Wednesday – Sunday: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Located at 250 1st Street, Bandon, Oregon
Explore the Coquille River Lighthouse.
The historic Coquille River Lighthouse, in Bullards Beach State Park near the Coquille River, is cute and very photogenic (although a bit neglected looking). Built in 1891 and first lit in 1896, it guided mariners across dangerous bars, and the signal room is open Thursday – Monday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Tue. – Wed.) from mid-May through September. Bullards Beach State Park is a large and family-friendly park with a campground (including yurts), 4.5 miles of beach, and adjacent to the Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge.
Discover Cape Blanco State Park with a 19th-century lighthouse and historic Victorian farmhouse.
Spectacular Cape Blanco State Park, located about ½ hour by car south of Bandon, is well worth the drive. In our short time there, we toured the circa 1898 Victorian ranchers’ house the Historic Hughes House, walked the Mouth of the Sixes River Trail down to the ocean, and wandered the short stretch of road (closed to traffic) to admire Cape Blanco Lighthouse. (Built in 1870, Cape Blanco is the oldest lighthouse on the Oregon Coast and is on the National Register of Historic Places.)
The Sixes River Trail is a short and lovely easy family-friendly trail through a meadow to a rugged stretch of beach. If you time it right, this area is awash in wildflowers in the spring, making it all the more special. (We visited in about mid-May.) The short road to the lighthouse was also dotted with wildflowers, and the panoramic coastal views reminded me of Ecola State Park up north.
Bonus, Cape Blanco State Park has a great campground including yurts, and although we have not yurt camped there yet ourselves it has long been on my ideas list for an economical place to stay along the Oregon Coast. Just make sure you snag your yurt six months in advance if you are aiming for fairer weather or more popular slots.
How To Get To Bandon Oregon
The Bandon Guide has a great overview of the best routes to take to get to Bandon depending on your location. Check it out!
I hope this post inspired you to add charming Bandon to your Oregon Coast bucket list. If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy Spend a Budget-Friendly Family Weekend in Astoria on the Oregon Coast, Our Unforgettable Yurt Camping Trip on the Oregon Coast, and 7 Fun Things To Do in Family-Friendly Newport, Oregon This Spring (or Anytime).
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