Planning a trip?

Oregon's South Coast is your destination. Check out these wonderful Bay Area activities.

71 Hook up your horse trailer Hook up your horse trailer

Hook up the horse trailer and head out into the wilds of Coos Cou ...

continue
72 Sandboard on down the hill Sandboard on down the hill

Dunes are great for climbing to a view, but who hasn't thought ab ...

continue

70 Wheel chair access trails

For those traveling with people who use wheelchairs or who have other physical disabilities, there are several easily accessible locations on the South Coast to take in views of the spectacular scenery or explore interpretive trails.

Starting north of Florence, at the Darlingtonia Gardens Wayside, the trail from the parking lot is paved and a wooden walkway over the bogs allows visitors to get close to the insect-eating plants that grow there. The Darlingtonia californica, also known as a pitcher plant, blooms with a hanging blossom and seed pods. Insects lured to the carnivorous plant often become its meal. The Darlingtonia Wayside is about three miles north of Florence on U.S. Highway 101.

On U.S. Highway 101 between Florence and Gardiner, the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area has handicap-accessible walkways at the Dunes Overlook, offering views of the spectacular dunes and the Pacific Ocean. It is one of the day-use fee areas of the Siuslaw National Forest, so visitors will be asked to use their Northwest Forest Pass or pay a one-day permit.

The Dean Creek Viewing area a couple miles east of Reedsport on state Highway 38 offers a good area for the whole family to get out at a viewing facility to walk elk in their own environment.

Going south again, in Coos Bay's Eastside area, the Millicoma Marsh may not be appropriate for all physical abilities, but the trail is fairly level with gravel walkways out to and around fresh and saltwater marshes. This is a prime birdwatching area.

Just outside of Charleston, all three popular state parks ” Sunset Bay, Shore Acres and Cape Arago ” are easily accessible to people with various disabilities.

Just north of Bandon on Riverside Road, the Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge walkway is easily accessible by wheelchairs and keeps feet dry for people venturing out for a look at the Coquille River and surrounding marshland as the river widens and mixes with tidewater from the Pacific Ocean. There is also an overlook for viewing the upper marsh along North Bank Road.

Farther on in south Bandon, the Oregon Islands overlook at Coquille Point has paved and wooden deck walkways to view national wildlife area refuges. To reach Coquille Point, turn west on 11th Street at the traffic light and head toward the ocean, or ask for directions at the Bandon Chamber of Commerce Visitors' Center in Old Town.
In Port Orford, there is a short interpretive walkway over one of the marsh areas in town. The boardwalk shows visitors how wetlands filter water flowing off U.S. Highway 101 before it flows into nearby lakes. The parking, short trail and wooden structure over the marsh is handicap accessible. To reach the Port Orford Wetland Interpretive Walkway, turn west on 18th Drive. Follow it for one block then turn left.

There are many other such trails and walkways on the South Coast. Ask at local chambers of commerce for more information.
69 Pick a peck of berries 71 Hook up your horse trailer
 

Publication Advertisers