Where the famous Rogue River hits the ocean, you'll find river adventures such as rafting trips, mailboat and jetboat trips, guided fishing trips, kayaking, canoeing and more. There's also horseback riding, cycling, pedal boats and trail rides... or go play 9 holes of golf nestled between the mountains on the floor of the lush Squaw Valley.

This is the place for people who think nature is the greatest show on earth. Wilderness is still wilderness, and fiercely protected. And limited access to the wild and scenic sections of the Rogue makes perfect sense once you're gliding downriver between sheer basalt canyon walls.

Gold Beach is also a place with many great restaurants and wonderful shopping.

Where the mountains meet the ocean, Port Orford feels a little like Big Sur did before it was clogged with traffic.

It's about 60 miles north of the California border, and halfway between Gold Beach and Bandon.

Small, friendly, with great art, a gentle energy and spectacular views... Port Orford is filled with nice people, an unhurried atmosphere and no stop lights.

It has eight art galleries that are owned and operated by working artists, some charming gift shops, a motorcycle museum and a very comfortable movie theatre (with a generous selection of candy).

There are a series of restaurants where you can enjoy fresh seafood, steaks, creative, experimental cuisine, with a New-York-style Italian trattoria, and of course the best fish and chips and chowder on the coast.

You can enjoy a diverse collection of historical and naturally beautiful sites and attractions. And, you'll find all sorts of options for recreational activities.

The best part... you can enjoy all it has to offer without the crush of traffic or tourists that mark so many vacation spots.

Here, you can get from it all while you're getting away.

Bandon is home to some exceptional artists, the beautiful Coquille River Lighthouse, Tillamook's Bandon Cheese Factory and Bandon Playhouse, where you can see community theatre that's fun and entertaining.

It also offers the world-renowned Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, which offers two amazing golf courses each rated among the top 100 courses in the world, behind only Pebble Beach and Pinehurst.

You can even arrange for horseback riding on the beach...a great way to enjoy a spectacular sunset.

Wade the tidepools, where you can gather mussels and clams in season. Spot birds, or sea creatures such as starfish, limpets, dogwinkles, Oregon Tritons, hermit crabs, and sea urchins.
Wind, surfboard, and body surfing are said to be the best on the Oregon coast. The bay offers sets of head-high face waves for surfers with wetsuits about any time of year, and kayaks and canoes are popular in calm weather.

The Orford Reefs host the 2nd largest Stellar sea lion rookery, the kelp beds are among the largest on the Pacific Coast and twice a year, trained volunteers teach whale watching as thousands of gray whales, some as large as 45 feet, feed near shore during summer and fall migration. Orcas, or killer whales, have also been spotted near Port Orford.

Windsurfing, kayaking, and scuba diving are popular along this coastline.

Humbug Mountain (elevation 1,756 feet) dominates the park and campground with its switchback trails leading to the top. Hiking to the top of Humbug Mountain is a major activity, ideal for bird watching among native plants and animals. There are nearby forests, canyons and wetlands for further exploration.

There is a Day Use area in the Park with a Myrtlewood grove that you can picinic in or stroll by the creek and read the interpretive signs.

It wasn't until 1898 that Patrick had P.J. Lindberg build the stately Victorian home on the terrace above the river. Framed with Port Orford cedar, it is quite solidly built, and featured running water upstairs and down, gas lights in the kitchen, a newfangled built-in stove with warming oven and water heater. The bath featured an oak-rimmed tub in the bathroom, where one could admire the handsomely painted ceiling. Today, the home stands as a tribute to the family who left their mark in Oregon's pioneer history.

It is a great place to visit if you would like to see a beautiful house that has been lovingly restored to its original, Victorian elegance, and retains many original fixtures. You’ll also learn about the farming, mining and housekeeping practices of that era. At Christmas, it is spectacularly decorated for visitors.

Take the 64-step climb to the lanternroom, learn the cape's intriguing history and geology, experience the wind and watch for whales, which are often spotted between the offshore rocks. Bring your binoculars and spend an afternoon. Cape Blanco offers many other outdoor activities to fill your day: hiking, horseback riding, beachcombing and fishing are a few possibilities.

Cape Blanco Lighthouse is open to the public through a cooperating agreement between the United State Coast Guard, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department, Oregon State Historic Preservation Office, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and the Coquille Indians.

Lighthouse, Greeting Center & Gift Shop Hours: April through October, 10:00 - 3:30, Thursday through Monday.

Standing at the edge is like standing in a wind tunnel, where winds easily range from 35 to well over 100 mph. Be the last people in the lower US to see the sun set! You can also access the beach through the State Park campground and look for driftwood and agates. There is also a horse camp, Hughes family pioneer cemetery and all sorts of hiking trails.

Commissioned on July 1, 1934, the Port Orford station was unique in its layout. The crew quarters, officer's cottage and garages were located on the Port Orford Heads, a rocky outcropping almost 300 feet above the ocean, and the boathouse was located in a cove below the Heads, connected to the main station by a staircase of over 530 steps. The "Coasties" carried fuel for the motor lifeboats in five-gallon jerry cans down the steps - difficult under the best conditions, near impossible in a strong Pacific storm.

The station served the coast until its closure in 1970. During its 36 years of operation, it performed numerous rescues, including three major shipwrecks and casualties of Japanese submarine attacks in World War II. From 1970 to 1976, the station was used as a maritime research facility and finally turned over the Oregon State Parks Department.

Restored as a museum, displays include a Lyle gun, shipwreck artifacts, a 36-foot motor lifeboat, photographs and other memorabilia. Visitors can also experience lifting two full jerry cans, and are invited to participate in the annual Jerry Can Race.

You have a choice of three connecting trails that lead to the headlands where incredible views of surf and sea stacks will take your breath away. There are lots of different wildflowers and plants on either side of the well-maintained chip trails. Steep cliffs overlook the ocean, offering unparalleled views of the coastline, including the coves between the cliffs where seals sun on the rocks. Whale watching from the numerous benches is a favorite of locals.

Nelly’s Cove, viewed from the south trail, is where the Coast Guard boats were once docked. The Tower Trail ends at a log-pole fence and a half circle viewing area where a watchtower for the Coast Guard was once located. Humbug Mountain and Cape Sebastian can be seen from this area.

It is also unique, one of only six "dolly docks" in the world, where the hoists at the port lift the vessels that park on the dock in and out of the water each day.

To capture the full essence of this remarkable port, late afternoon visits on good weather days are recommended. This is a time when many vessels return to port to unload their catch. Four small product hoists lift the fish out of the boats in huge metal containers. They are then iced down and moved quickly to processing and the marketplace. You might also see divers bringing in a catch of urchins or watch dock personnel and sport fishermen fillet their catch on special tables.

There are several areas on the dock where you can do some angling. You may fish, at your own risk, on the jetty, on the lower Sport Dock, or over the side of the dock when there is light activity by the commercial fishermen. You might catch smelt, sardine, herring, bottom fish, snappers, lingcod, halibut, and perch to name a few. Plus beach fish on the Dock Beach. You must posses valid fishing licenses and or permits and must comply with Port staff and management regarding safety regulations at all times.

The day starts with an exuberant truck - with loudspeaker! - that travels the length of the town, telling people to rise and shine and start the day with the famous Rotary pancake breakfast. Then, the town gathers along Hwy 101 for a parade at mid-day and a spectacular fireworks exhibit at night - one of the best on the entire coast. You'll enjoy sand sculpture, dingy races, pet show, Port Orford Fishermen's and Fishermen's Wives' Association Salmon Barbecue, Senior Center Spaghetti Feed, quilt show, co-ed slow pitch softball tournament, photography show, Jerry-can races, knot tying contest, flower show, square dancing and a radio-controlled plane demonstration in the famous Cape Blanco winds.

The fireworks show is a truly amazing display and WildSpring offers a great view of the fireworks from the outdoor sculpture garden. Join us for wine and treats.

• Wind Festival - May 28 this year. Elaborate kite flying demonstrations, wind surfing, wind art and festival food.
• Arts Festival - This year, the Port Orford Arts Council is planning a month-long event showcasing all the artists who live and work in our area. It starts July 2, with a Friday night gallery walk and a craft emporium at the Community Building. There will be events, classes and workshops throughout the month, and the Festival ends July 31, with an Art Gala. For details, see portorfordart.org
• Halloween party at the Community Building on 11th Street.
Annual event features prizes and lots of food.
• Christmas Arts and Crafts Bazaar - An extremely popular annual event featuring local artists, crafters, food specialties and other gifts. Usually the first week of December.

WildSpring is available for guests to explore the grounds and birdwatch at any time during their stay. We have binculars you can borrow at any time. Ask the office.

It is open to the public 7 days a week, from 10am to 5pm; please call the office before coming, and use the intercom in the checkin gazebo in the entrance to let us know you're here. Please be sure to respect the peace, quiet and privacy of the cabin area for our guests.

Some of the species recently spotted on property (within a 5-minute period): Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Tree Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Swainson's Thrush, Wrentit, Orange-crowned Warbler, Hermit Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch, American Goldfinch, Wild Turkey, Osprey, Steller's Jay.

Oregon Coast Birding Trail
This will be a self-guided driving tour highlighting more than 150 prime birding destinations along the Oregon coast. The trail will trace more than 700 miles of coastal scenery, with almost 400 species of birds.

The coastal trail is the second major project endorsed by the Oregon Birding Trails Working Group, which received its initial funding from the Oregon Parks and Recreational Department and the Audubon Society of Portland.

Port Orford is well positioned in the new coastal trail, offering central, easy access to the Kalmiopsis Loop, Coquille River Loop and the Cape Arago Loop. The coast trail will be dedicated in May 2006, on International Migratory Bird Day.

Bandon Face Golf Course (half hour north) – A scenic 9-hole course overlooking the ocean, with a great clubhouse. Rated one of the most challenging 9-hole courses in the Pacific Northwest.

Cedar Bend (20 minutes south) – Where nine holes play like 18, and the greens are among the best on the coast.

Salmon Run Golf & Wilderness Preserve (hour south) – A championship 18 hole course with five sets of tees on every hole. Incredible views as you golf through a quiet forest.

Visit the websites of Jerry’s Rogue Jets and Mail Boat Hydro-Jets for more information.

Elk and Sixes Rivers – Both rivers are pristine and the Elk boasts the some of the best salmon fishing in the contiguous US. When the rains start (October or November), fall chinook salmon and coho salmon run (also known as silvers). After Thanksgiving, sea-run cutthroat trout (also known as bluebacks) and winter steelhead lure fishers from near and far.

Elk River Fish Hatchery – In early June, the Elk River Fish Hatchery sponsors a free fishing weekend for children 10 years old and younger. Fish caught can be 10 inches to 9 pounds and include chinook salmon, winter steelhead, and rainbow trout. Rods, reels, bait, and tackle are provided. Call 541.332.7025 for exact date and times.

Rogue River – From March through June, you can try for the famous “springer” chinook salmon. From July through winter, first chinook and coho salmon and then steelhead. Ask for guides in the Gold Beach area.

Garrison Lake – With 130 acres of lake in the middle of Port Orford, everybody gets a chance to catch their limit. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and chinook salmon (also known as king or blackmouth) are plentiful year round.

Laird Lake – This small isolated lake, on the way to Powers, has been stocked with trout in the past. Wily and hard to catch, only experienced fishers need make the trip up the Elk River. Four-wheel drive vehicles recommended.

The Pacific Ocean – In a kayak, canoe, or rowboat, you can catch bottom fish, including lingcod, kelp greenling, red snapper, cabezon (a rockfish), and black snapper just waiting to snap up your bait around Nelly’s Cove. Or charter a boat at the dock for bigger fish. There are more than fifty species of fish in the deep waters off shore.

Port Orford Dock – Fish off the Port Orford dock or the jetty for smelt, sardine, herring, bottom fish, snappers, lingcod, halibut, and perch to name a few. Plus beach fish on the Dock Beach.

Shoreline fishing – Pinkfin perch and serfperch can be caught from any beach in the area.

You can find Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations handbooks at McNair’s True Value Hardware in town, where licenses, bait, tackle and fishing supplies are also sold. The Dock Tackle Shop also sells 1-day licenses and fishing supplies. For additional fishing information, seasons, regulations, restrictions, visit the Oregon Fish and Wildlife website or call 503.872.5263.

Cape Blanco – Visit the westernmost point in the 48 states, where winds can easily exceed 100 miles per hour. Ocean views, dramatic headlands, historic lighthouse. 3.6 mile loop, shorter segments possible. Moderate difficulty.

Port Orford Heads – Starting at the Coast Guard boat, the Headlands trail takes you through a Sitka spruce forest with sword ferns and dorps onto headlands with views of the ocean and Cape Blanco. Spectacular ocean views to reefs and Cape Blanco lighthouse, giant spruce trees. Coast Guard history, chances to see marine mammals, sea birds and peregrine falcons. 1 mile loop, shorter segments available. Easy.

Humbug Mountain – Starting under a lush canopy of myrtlewood trees an climb up steep switchback to a 1,761 ft summit. Lush forest, big trees, glimpses of coast, 6 miles loop. Moderate to difficult.

Old Coast Highway – Walk a flat, easy road around Humbug Mountain with unbroken views of the ocean. About an hour. Easy.

Barklow Mountain – A narrow trail through dense stand of fir trees, into an older forest with an understory of canyon live oak and rhododendron, into a dark forest of old-growth trees. Views of coastal mountains, distant ocean and old-growth forest. 4.5 miles round trip. Moderate.

Iron Mountain – Starting with an old rocky road through iron-rich red clay-like soil. Mountain views, ultramafic soil influence, spring wildflowers. 1.5 miles round trip. Moderate.