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Top Ten Oregon's Adventure Coast Summer Bucket List

**Please note: all scheduled events mentioned in this blog post are subject to change without notice. Please call ahead or visit our Events Page and Calendar for the complete list**

Oregon’s Adventure Coast: Coos Bay, North Bend, Charleston features the very best of the Pacific Northwest natural beauty, a rich history, community festivals, performing arts, food, and more family-friendly adventures than we can list in one post…but we'll try.

​Oh, and if that isn't reason enough, we are literally giving visitors who book qualifying 2-night or longer stays a $75 VISA gift card to help fill their gas tank! Applies only to participating lodging properties through September 20, 2026. Must call participating hotel directly to book by July 31, 2026 - visit our $75 Summer Fuel Freebie page for full details.

A family of four enjoys a coastal trail among beach grasses with ocean views in the background. Text reads: Stay 2 Nights, $75 Summer Fuel Freebie. Details online. Book Your Stay Now. Oregon’s Adventure Coast, Coos Bay, North Bend, Charleston.

Don't miss the blissfully cool, comfortable temperatures that average in the mid-high 60s, the beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean, the family-friendly events and festivals for all ages, and the arts and cultural celebrations!

Here are some adventures to add to your Summer Bucket List!

1- Explore the Oregon Dunes

A child sandboards down a steep sand dune at the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, with rolling dunes, patches of greenery, and a misty tree line visible in the background.

If there’s one thing that belongs on your Oregon summer bucket list, it’s a visit to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, the largest expanse of coastal dunes in North America and our region’s most iconic landscape. Many visitors say the dunes are the highlight of their trip and describe the experience as stepping into another world. One of the more popular ways to explore the Oregon Dunes is on a pulse-pounding ATV or OHV ride. And if you don't own one, there are multiple businesses that offer rentals. Hiking and/or biking through sections of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is a one-of-a-kind experience, and some visitors even like to go sandboarding or sledding! Read our post, Top Ways to Experience the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, for more information.

2 - Get Out on the Water

A silhouetted kayaker paddles across calm water toward a vivid orange and gold sunset, with a treeline reflected on the surface along the Oregon Coast.

For the ultimate summer adventure, nothing beats getting out on the water on Oregon’s Adventure Coast: Coos Bay, North Bend, and Charleston. With so many lakes, rivers, bays, estuaries, and more, visitors can choose anything from kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, to surfing, and even water skiing! You can kayak and paddle through calm bays and estuaries, or ride the waves at Bastendorff Beach. If swimming is your thing, we recommend the beautiful sandy beach at Sunset Bay State Park, where you can swim, make sand castles, enjoy a picnic, and more. If you don't have your own kayak, paddleboard, or surfboard, there are several places where you can rent one and get expert advice. Find more information and tips in our blog post, Surf & Paddle Your Way Through Oregon's Adventure Coast.

3 - Visit all Three Oregon State Parks Along Cape Arago Highway

A couple stands with their arms around each other on a coastal overlook, framed by windswept pine trees, gazing at dramatic ocean cliffs and blue water along the Cape Arago Highway in Oregon.

Most Oregonians know that one of the best ways to experience the beauty of our state is by exploring its state parks. Shore Acres State Park, the crown jewel of Oregon’s South Coast, is known for its dramatic cliffs, formal gardens, and panoramic ocean views. Nearby, Cape Arago State Park and Sunset Bay State Park offer more opportunities to experience Oregon’s rugged coastal beauty, from tide pools to scenic hiking trails. To make the most of your visit, download our Cape Arago Beach Loop PDF Guide. Please note that a $ 10-day pass or an Oregon State Park season pass is required for parking and is valid at all three parks.

Tip: Watch hundreds of seals and sea lions in their natural habitat from the Simpson Reef overlook on Cape Arago Highway (between Shore Acres State Park and Cape Arago State Park. Binoculars recommended.

4 - Hike to Golden and Silver Falls

An aerial view of Silver Falls in Coos County, Oregon, with a tall waterfall cascading down a mossy rock face into a misty pool, surrounded by dense evergreen forest.

Discover two magnificent waterfalls tucked deep within the old-growth forests at Golden and Silver Falls State Natural Area. Hike through scenic canyons and lush greenery to reach these twin cascades, a perfect destination for a hiking adventure or a peaceful day trip. Note that this is not to be confused with Silver Falls State Park outside Salem. Golden and Silver Falls are among the most beloved gems on Oregon’s Adventure Coast and promise a memorable escape from everyday life. Read our post, Exploring Golden and Silver Falls: A Guide to Hiking this Natural Wonder on Oregon's Adventure Coast, for more information.

5 - Go Mountain Biking

A mountain biker in a blue helmet and shirt navigates a winding dirt trail through a dense forest of tall evergreen trees and lush ferns at Whiskey Run Mountain Biking trails in Oregon.

One of Oregon’s highest-rated mountain biking destinations is right here on Oregon’s Adventure Coast. The Whiskey Run Mountain Bike Trails, just 15 minutes south of Coos Bay off Highway 101, offer more than 30 miles of purpose-built trails winding through scenic coastal forest. With a mix of moderate climbs, fast-flowing descents, and sweeping views, the system is designed for riders of all skill levels.

6 - Go Fish!

Two anglers in rain gear fish from a charter boat on a foggy morning off Oregon’s Adventure Coast, with a second fishing vessel visible in the misty background.

With no less than 30 freshwater lakes and rivers in Coos County alone, plus countless locations for bay and ocean fishing, Oregon's Adventure Coast is your gateway to premier Oregon Coast fishing. Our local sporting goods stores make it easy to gear up, offering rentals, licenses, and expert advice*. Remember: a license is required for fishing, crabbing, or clamming unless it is a designated Free Fishing Day.

Consider booking one of our local guides and charter fishing excursions, including the newer program: Salty Sisters All Women Tuna Adventure, designed to be welcoming, fun, and accessible for women of all experience levels!

*Check with the Oregon Fish & Wildlife Commission (ODFW) for more information, and be sure to download our Fishing Information Rack Card here (PDF).

7 - Find Inner Peace

A person sits alone on top of a sand dune at the Oregon Dunes, gazing up at a dramatic sky with a large, glowing golden cloud formation surrounded by sweeping storm clouds at sunset.

These days, we could all use less noise and more peace and quiet. Oregon's Adventure Coast is an excellent destination for forest bathing, or Shinrin-yoku, a Japanese practice that involves immersing oneself in nature and engaging all five senses to foster a deeper connection with the environment. This practice inspires a sense of awe, which has been shown to lower stress, improve mood, and boost the immune system. Research confirms that time in nature reduces cortisol (the stress hormone) and increases serotonin (the happiness hormone), promoting overall mental and physical health.

Forest bathing can be done from just about anywhere, but some of the more popular spots include Sunset Bay State Park, Cape Arago State Park, Shore Acres State Park (mentioned above), and other great spots include Horsfall Beach, South Slough Reserve, and John Topits Park, among others. Download this Complete PDF Guide to Forest Bathing on Oregon’s Adventure Coast to get you started!

8 - Join a Community Celebration

Colorfully costumed musicians playing accordion, violin, and guitar perform on a festive, tinsel-decorated float during the Bay Area Fun Festival parade in Coos Bay, Oregon, with crowds lining the street in the background.

Something is always happening, whether you are a local looking for weekend fun or a visitor planning a trip. We celebrate everything from food and wine to fireworks and ATVs!

Here are just a few highlights you might enjoy this summer; click here to view our full event calendar. You can also follow the Coos Bay Visitor Center for local event info.

9 - Experience Oregon Coast Art, Culture, and History

A pianist performs on a grand piano on an outdoor stage overlooking the Pacific Ocean at sunset during an In a Landscape classical music concert at Shore Acres State Park in Oregon, with small groups of audience members visible on either side.

Summer on Oregon’s Adventure Coast means live music, a celebration of the arts, and cultural events worth gathering for. Visit our calendar to see more and plan your visit. You can also follow the Coos Bay Visitor Center for local event info.

*Free Admission, donations may be accepted in some cases

Visitors can frequently catch live local and regional musicians performing at various venues across Coos Bay, North Bend, and Charleston, like Ko-Kwel Casino Resort, 7 Devils Brewery, North Forty Brewing in North Bend, Wildflour Public House, Front Street Food Trucks, and NoBe Taphouse and Food Cart Pod, to name a few. The Captain’s Cabin and Coney Station are other spots to catch live tunes.

10 - Get Moving at an Athletic Event

A female runner wearing a race bib, blue visor, and hydration vest crosses a green metal bridge over the bay during the Circle the Bay 30K race, with forested hills visible in the background

With its mix of hilly trails, flat roads, and wide open beaches, Oregon’s Adventure Coast is known for being a runner’s paradise and the hometown of international track and field star Steve Prefontaine. Explore Pre's legacy at the Coos Art Museum or through the Tour de Pre, led by his sister Linda. Connect with the South Coast Running Club, gear up at Wild Coast Running Co.! Join us this summer for these athletic events:

There is an adventure for everyone on Oregon’s Adventure Coast. Whatever brings you to Oregon’s Adventure Coast this summer, unforgettable experiences await. Book your accommodations in Coos Bay, North Bend, and Charleston early, and feel free to reach out to the Visitor & Convention Bureau with any questions. We are happy to help!

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