Airstreams near North Bend with showers

On the outskirts of Coos Bay, North Bend is the gateway to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and while taking an ATV or dune buggy out on the 500-foot heaps of sand is one of the top attractions here, there’s plenty more to see and do. Popular activities range from crossing Coo's Bay on the gorgeous McCullough Bridge to exploring Sunset Bay and Shore Acres State Park. The Mill Casino & Hotel, run by the local Coquille Indian Tribe, is also in town and there are numerous wooded campgrounds within a short drive, both on the beach and slightly inland.

Oregon’s South Coast

North Bend offers easy access to other spots on the picturesque South Coast, arguably the prettiest part of an already gorgeous coastline. Popular spots include the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, with its numerous Pacific-facing viewpoints, and Cape Blanco State Park, the westernmost point in the state.

Central Coast Dunes

While North Bend offers easy access to some of the best dunes in the land, there are even more to be found up north on the Oregon Central Coast. Florence and Reedsport both have massive dunes. Those in Florence can be easily accessed from the massive Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park.

Umpqua National Forest

East of North Bend, the Umpqua National Forest offers beautiful old-growth stands, rivers, waterfalls, hiking trails, and plenty of campgrounds. It’s also home to numerous crystalline lakes and is directly connected to Crater lake, Oregon’s only national park.

Summer is by far the most popular time to visit North Bend, owing to generally warmer, dryer weather. However, this season can also get crowded, particularly during July and August, so be prepared to book in advance. Summer is also ideal if you want to take an ATV or UTV out on the dunes; daily rain is common from October through May and wet dunes can be difficult to drive on.