Cape Arago State Park sits at the end of Cape Arago Highway southwest of Coos Bay, where rugged sandstone cliffs drop into the Pacific. Three distinct cove beaches — North Cove, Middle Cove, and South Cove — offer tidepooling, beachcombing, and views of Shell Island, a protected offshore rock where sea lions, harbor seals, and elephant seals haul out year-round. On a quiet morning, you can hear them barking from the overlook.

The park’s trail system connects to Shore Acres State Park and Sunset Bay State Park along the coastal bluffs, forming a roughly four-mile stretch that ranks among the best shoreline hikes on the Oregon Coast. Wildflowers line the path in spring, and gray whale spouts dot the horizon from December through June. The trails are well-maintained but involve some elevation change — sturdy shoes are worthwhile.

Cape Arago itself doesn’t have camping, but Sunset Bay State Park, just a mile and a half north along the trail, offers full-hookup RV sites, tent camping, and yurts in a sheltered cove that’s unusually calm for the Oregon Coast. It’s an easy walk or short drive between the two.

Summer brings the driest weather and warmest temperatures, but winter storms make for dramatic wave watching from the overlooks. The shoulder months — May and September — balance mild conditions with fewer crowds.

Come for the wildlife viewing, stay for the tidepools, and don’t skip the connecting trail to Shore Acres, especially if the garden is in bloom.

Explore Nearby

• Cape Arago Light — Lighthouse in Oregon
• The North Spit — Public Land in Oregon
• Coquille River Light — Lighthouse in Oregon
• New River Area of Critical Environmental Concern — Public Land in Oregon
• Pacific Coast Scenic Byway-Oregon — Scenic Byway in Oregon