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Oregon Coast Trail Backpacking Guide – Bandon to Port Orford

Last Updated: September 24, 2024
Dave Collins, a hiker standing in front of huge snowy mountain peaks with a big valley and a turquoise lake in the background in Nepal. By Dave Collins

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backpacker overlooking the expansive view of the oregon coast with haystacks and wide sandy beaches.
The Oregon Coast Trail (OCT) is a 362-mile thru-hike that crosses sandy beaches, coastal forest corridors, jaw-dropping headlands and 28 coastal towns. The selected a 30-mile stretch that didn’t dissapoint. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

Exploring this beautiful section of the Oregon Coast Trail was a spectacular reminder of how rewarding and diverse backpacking can be. The pristine seclusion of this 30-mile stretch of Oregon coast blew us away. We highly recommend placing this trip on your Oregon backpacking to-do list. You will not be disappointed.

Here’s a quick trip report and some helpful planning tips to make your trek more straightforward. If you have any thoughts or questions, please leave a comment below.

a perfect pacific ocean sunset over the oregon coast with white sandy beaches, beachwood, and abrupt cliffs.
The sunsets and solitude of this hike was a soul-nourishing experience. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

Highlights

  • Pristine beach scenery
  • Surprising solitude
  • Rugged rock formations
  • Magnificent sunsets
  • Abundant ocean wildlife (bring binoculars)
  • Cape Blanco Lighthouse
  • No permits needed
  • Walking on hard-packed sand

Lowlights

  • 3 large river crossings
  • Some camping restrictions
  • Shuttle or hitchhike necessary
  • Possibility of strong storms and wind
  • Walking on soft sand
lighthouse in Cape Blanco State Park on a sunny day
Cape Blanco Lighthouse in it’s namesake’s state park on the oregon coast. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

Trip Timing

We spent 3 days and 2 nights hiking this 30-mile stretch of beach. We packed light, so the pace of the trip was quite relaxing. It was almost too relaxing actually – we kind of wanted more walking and ended up taking a couple of side trips to add mileage. If you think you’d enjoy a lighter pack (who doesn’t?), check out our article on ultralight backpacking basics.

We completed this trip at the beginning of April. This trek is open year-round, but it will be best in the spring, summer, and fall when the weather is warmer and river levels are lower. April could have been a tough time for us to cross the rivers, but we didn’t have any issues. Also, pay close attention storm warnings before your trip. The sea can get very angry on the coast when heavy storms roll in, so don’t take any chances.

Beach campfire on the oregon coast trail just after sunset with rich blue and orange skies
In a state that has strict fire restrictions, beach fires are usually allowed most of the year along the Oregon Coast. know the rules and restrictions before striking a match! – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

Difficulty – Moderate

This trip is about 30 miles with very little elevation gain and three large rivers to ford. When the tide is low, there are large sections of hard-packed sand that make walking easy. When the tide is high (and on some narrow beach sections), you’ll have to walk on softer sand, which will wear out your calves. You’ll only have to walk in soft sand for about ¼ of the trip, and it’s not that bad. Print out a tide timetable for the dates of your trip. Be aware of king tides (exceptionally high tides from new moons or full moons) and storm swells that can bring in massive and rogue waves.

backpacker on the oregon coast trail looking out at the massive sea stacks.
Sea stacks were fantastic features of this backpacking trip. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

River Crossing

The other possibly challenging element of this trek is fording rivers. The Elk River, the Sixes River, and Fourmile Creek will all require getting your feet wet – likely up to thigh level. We considered these moderate to advanced crossings, depending on the conditions. They will be easy when the river levels are low (summer, early fall) and more challenging when the rivers are high. But don’t be dissuaded from this trip just because of these crossings. Learn or refresh the skill of river crossings with our backcountry river crossing skills tutorial. Check on conditions before you travel, scout out a safe ford, cross a wide section of the river, and turn back if it ever feels unsafe.

cliffs plunge down to the sandy beach and blue waters of the oregon coast
Dramatic cliffs and coastlines urged us onward. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

Shuttle / Bus / Hitchhike

You could plan a shorter out-and-back hike on this section, but it’s more common to hike from Bandon to Port Orford (or vice versa) and then shuttle/bus/hitchhike back to where you started. Heading south or north will both be rewarding routes, so choose what’s easiest for you.

The obvious challenge with this strategy is getting back to where you started. You could take two cars, but that rarely makes sense. The Curry Coastal Express is a bus system that runs between the two towns. The stops are at Ray’s grocery store. Alternately, you could hitchhike, which is what we did. The 101 runs directly through both towns and is less than a mile from the beach in either town. For that reason, it was very easy to pick up a ride. We got a hitch in about 15 minutes, and the drive took about 30 minutes.

Note: If you’re hitchhiking, don’t get in the car if it doesn’t feel right. Tell the car to go on without you and walk away.

We loved beach camping, even though it was a little tricky to keep sand out of the tent. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

Snowy Plover Restrictions

In general, you can camp anywhere on the Oregon Coast as long as you’re not in a state park, you’re not within view of any houses, and you’re not in a restricted area. In the Bandon to Port Orford section (see this state park-provided map), some clear restrictions delineate where you can hike and camp on the beach. Additionally, the Oregon State Parks notices page has information on temporary changes, restrictions and closures.

There’s an 11-12 mile section where you won’t be able to camp starting at Bandon and heading south. The area is restricted due to an endangered bird species – the Western Snowy Plover. It’s a neat little bird, so the hassle is worth it.

Snowy plovers nest in dry open sand, in tiny, shallow scrapes that are very well-camouflaged. Not only are nests easy to miss (or step on), but the bird will abandon its eggs if disturbed too frequently. Restrictions in this stretch limit you to hiking only on wet sand. Fires, dogs, and camping are also prohibited during the nesting season (March 15-Sept 15).

If you plan on hiking south from Bandon, start out early so you can get past this section. If you are heading north from Port Orford, don’t expect to camp anywhere within 11-12 miles of Bandon before your last day of hiking.

a backpacker on the oregon coast trail walks under a natural bridge.
Wandering through the low tide bridges of the oregon coast trail. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

Campfires

Oregon continues to have severe forest fires. While backpackers rarely start them on the coast, there might be strict seasonal campfire/flame restrictions in place when you go to hike the Oregon Coast Trail. When beach fires are permitted, please follow the rules. Practice extreme caution if you plan on having a campfire, even at a campground. It’s an extreme rarity that forest fires are started on purpose. Most of the time, people who start forest fires are outdoor enthusiasts who make simple mistakes.

Campfire Rules From: stateparks.oregon.gov – Use small pieces of wood only and keep the fire smaller than 3 cubic feet. Fires using large driftwood is prohibited. The fire must be west of the vegetation line, NO EXCEPTIONS. Build your fire away from shoreline vegetation & piles of driftwood. Never build a fire upwind of shoreline vegetation or in the dunes. Extinguish the fire with water. Don’t bury it. Doing this will allow the fire to remain hot and continue to smolder for hours. This could also cause someone to get burned.

northern red legged frog
An Oregon Native, the northern red-legged frog is recognized by the state as a sensitive species. They can be found active throughout the year in the coastal forests of Oregon. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

Water / Bugs / Animals

Water is readily accessible along this route. Bring a good water filter, and don’t drink the salt water.

Coastal breezes provided us with no bug issues at all. You never know, though, so be prepared. A combination of Permethrin on your clothing and a VERY small amount of 30% DEET on exposed skin will keep you 100% protected. It’s like wearing a frickin’ mosquito forcefield.

We had no problems with animals either. However, that doesn’t mean that they aren’t out there. The Pacific Coast has some well-fed and clever raccoons. Review how to properly store your food with our essential skills tutorial so your rations don’t tempt the wildlife.

a backpackers backpack and trekking poles resting again a driftwood log on the oregon coast trail
The trail is simply where land meets the ocean. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

Maps & Guidebook

Maps aren’t really required for this section because you mostly follow the coast with a couple of bluff walk-arounds. That said, Oregon State Parks has a helpful informational page with maps of all the sections of the Oregon Coast Trail, including the Bandon to Port Orford section. It is always good backpacking sense to carry a printed map and download a map (we like Gaia GPS and Topo Maps+ to your phone so you know all the mileages and landmarks on the trail. There are a few places you could get confused, and that’s always a bummer. Oregon State Park also publishes an annual tide chart that we suggest taking a picture of.

The Backpacking Oregon Guidebook is an excellent guide for this hike, as well as many other Oregon backpacking adventures. It provides detailed descriptions of the trail and includes a straightforward, easy-to-read map. I strongly suggest grabbing a copy—along with any of the other state-specific editions in the series.

A barefoot backpacker posing in front of a shorline rock formation with a natural bridge on it on the oregon coast trail.
Barefoot backpacking is a rare treat and we didn’t hesitate to get some sand between our toes. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

Getting There

It’s pretty easy to get on this “trail” which is mostly beach walking. If you head to Bandon or Port Orford, hit the beach, and start walking toward the other town. You might find parking restrictions in either town if you’re looking to park next to the beach, but if you drive a short distance away, you’ll find a place to stash your rig.

backpacker standing on a tall cliff providing expansive oregon coast views, bright blue pacific ocean, and bluebird skies.
Pack gear for all weather conditions. The wind, fog, and rain can be bone chilling on the Oregon coast. Luckily some summer conditions graced our trip. – casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

Gear List

Make sure to check out our Ultimate Backpacking Checklist so you don’t forget something important.

Below you’ll find our current favorite backpacking gear. If you want to see additional options, our curated gear guides are the result of many years of extensive research and hands-on testing by our team of outdoor experts.

BACKPACK

TENT

SLEEPING BAG/QUILT

SLEEPING PAD

CAMP KITCHEN

WATER & FILTRATION

CLOTHING

FOOTWEAR & TRACTION

NAVIGATION

FOOD

FIRST-AID & TOOLS

MISCELLANEOUS

rugged coastline and wide rippled beaches in southern oregon
Golden hour on the Southern Oregon Coast. – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

Oregon Code of the Coast

You’re probably familiar with the principles of leave no trace (LNT) as a code of conduct to reduce human impact on wild places. Beyond practicing LNT, visitoregoncoast.com created 15 things to keep in mind while recreating on the Oregon Coast. This Code of the Coast is a social contract intended to respect each other and the coast. From how to explore tidepools, to protecting Oregon’s Silverspot Butterfly, to seal pups and sea stacks, this is your guide on how to enjoy and protect the rich landscape of the Oregon coast.

Additional Resources

This vlogger made two YouTube videos of his Bandon to Port Orford hike in January 2013. Warning: In the first video, he spends a lot of time discussing a river crossing that gives him trouble, and he’s carrying a much heavier pack than a lightweight backpacker would. The second video shares some good shots of the area’s scenery, and it’s inspiring to witness his guts to get out into the wild and hike.

The Oregon Coast Trail runs the length of Oregon along the coast with some walk-arounds for big rivers and tough sections. Oregon.gov has some helpful info on the OCT as does the National Coast Trail Association.

More Information

We hope this guide helps you plan an unforgettable journey along the Arizona Trail. For more popular CleverHiker content, check out the following links:

footprints on the sand along the oregon coast
We hope you make a plan to visit the oregon coast trail, you won’t regret it! – photo credit: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

Why trust us?

We understand how tough it is to find trustworthy gear advice, and that’s one of the main reasons we built CleverHiker. We live for outdoor adventure, and we take these guides very seriously.

  • Our recommendations are completely independent and based on hands-on experience.
  • We test outdoor gear for a living – we’ve logged over 20,000 trail miles and 1,000 nights in the wilderness.
  • Our team has thru-hiked some of the most iconic long trails, including the Continental Divide Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, Colorado Trail, Long Trail, Oregon Coast Trail, Arizona Trail, Pinhoti Trail, Superior Hiking Trail, as well as extensive peak bagging, and international treks.
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