Photo by Nicholas T. Martin

When would-be campers arrive, they usually seek out immediately the best spot still available then dash back to the main gate and pay the over-night fee using the appropriate self-serve envelope. Then it’s back to the site to get the fire going in the designated grill pit, an L-shaped concrete wall with a triangular grate that works like a shelf. Most of the sites are best suited for ‘car-camping.” Some sites have picnic benches and others grassy areas under the trees for tents.

New this summer there is a $2 day use fee for those planning on using the area for more than half an hour. ‘We’re really not enforcing it, but we need it to off-set the cost of toilet paper,” says camp host, Wynona Golden with a smile.

Golden is pleasant and easy to talk to, sitting on the front steps of her RV camper where she will spend the summer handing out bundles of campfire wood, collecting fees and making sure the bathrooms have enough supplies. ‘I had the idea that we charge fifty cents per vehicle when they enter the park and then we give them a roll of toilet paper, but I was told that wouldn’t even cover what it costs the county to buy it, from whoever they buy it from.”

When state and county budgets are tight, funding issues become a question of, paving roads or stocking the supply closet of the county park. It goes without saying the Coos County budgets have more demand on them than supply to give. Golden says, ‘I worked here five years ago and the supply shed, up on the hill, was full. I went up there recently, and it’s empty. We’re forced to buy supplies as we need them.” Golden smiles and tongue in cheek suggests the county should make a run to Costco to buy toilet paper for the park.

‘This is the first year (we) have had to buy wood to sell to campers, ” Golden said. Seasoned campers likely bring their own wood to burn, but the BLM has set restrictions about what people can take off public lands in the way of deadfalls and other materials. Those who don’t bring in their own wood can buy small bundles from the host.

In the day use section of the park, visitors will find a playground with swings, a frontier style kid-fort complete with a slide, teeter totter, merry-go-round, and what county park wouldn’t be complete with out some old tractor tires stuck half-way in the ground.

This unique day use area can support groups of 300 or more. The large picnic shelter supports an electric stove, outlets, flush toilets, cold running water, charcoal grills, seemingly everything a group of hardy ‘Picnickers” could want, even the kitchen sink. Adjacent parking can hold easily over fifty cars. There is a softball field with a backstop, but the grass in the infield looks more like the outfield. In other words, the emphasis is more on ‘field” than ‘softball.” Still, it’s a great place to play catch, or run around. Dogs need to be on a leash and aren’t allowed down by the river where the swimming hole is, past the restrooms.

Photo by Nicholas T. Martin

Golden continued, ‘I said, can’t you just lift it up?” Imitating the caretakers voice and making a wide arm carry motion Golden said, ”Sure. It’s only this big around.’” The silt issue with the intake pump as since been cleared up and the B group sites are ready for the summer influx.

‘We typically leave the group section of the park alone,” said Golden. ‘Up here, it’s 10 o’clock lights out down there, the park rules are different. We pretty much leave them alone.” Involvement of the rangers and the host in camp B is on a request basis. Golden goes on to say, ‘We really only get involved down there if there is violence.” Rake in hand, her maintenance cart overflowing with cleaning supplies, Golden waves then gets back to the task at hand.

By Nicholas T. Martin
Special to The World
Nicholas T. Martin is a freelance writer who lives in Bandon. Reach him at nickmartin@ntmphoto.com.

Photo by R.J. Guyer

Tahkenitch Lake & Coastal Diversity

Hiking the Tahkenitch Dunes/Three Mile Loop trail is like walking through a topography classroom. This 6.5-mile trails showcases the amazing diversity of the geography and wildlife along the Oregon Coast, winding through forests, over dunes and along a secluded section of beach.

The hike begins and ends at the parking lot near the Tahkenitch Campground, located on the west side of Highway 101. It’s approximately 7.5 miles north of Reedsport, or 12.5 miles south of Florence.

The well-defined trail begins through a thick carpet of underbrush. In a quick quarter-mile, you come to the loop junction. Veer left to take a clockwise loop.

In spring and early summer, rhododendrons explode with a kaleidoscope of colorful flowers. This brilliant display blends wonderfully with the seemingly endless deep green ferns along the trail.

Later in the season, huckleberry and serviceberry bushes offer a beauty of their own. Birds flit from tree to tree: woodpeckers, warblers and even hummingbirds.

A bench sits next to the overlook of Elbow Lake as conifers begin forming an umbrella from the sun. The trail meanders around drainages and upward along a short ridge.

You’ll hear waves crashing and then glimpse the beach through gaps in the trees. The trees open up as the ridge transitions into sand dunes.

In the distance you can spot the small freshwater Three Mile Lake to the south, in contrast to the saltwater of the ocean.

Photo by R.J. Guyer

You can turn around here and retrace your steps, or take a one-mile stroll along the beach, keeping an eye open for a brown sign displaying a hiker insignia. This marks the returning trail.

Leaving the beach, orange trail markers hang from the trees as the trail weaves toward an enclosed area for the Western Snowy Plover.  This small plover was listed as a threatened species in 1993.

This habitat area is one of several set aside for the shorebird to nest as part of a federal recovery plan. If you wait quietly, you might get a good look or picture of these rare and beautiful birds.

The trip back is over a shorter stretch of trail. Follow the signs and blue-banded posts over the dunes as you transition back to forest.  Soon, the sounds of highway traffic will thrust you back into reality.

By R.J. Guyer
Special to The World
R.J. Guyer is a freelance writer. He can reached at renadvent12@hotmail.com.

Traveling this route all the way to Eugene, though interesting and beautiful, can be treacherous. It’s not recommended for winter travel.

But even in winter, there’s much to see along the route’s western end.

The 75-mile Smith River is a major tributary of the Umpqua River. The two rivers meet just north of Reedsport before meandering southward into Winchester Bay and into the Pacific Ocean. 

Traveling by car, cross the bridge and turn northeast (right) just outside Reedsport. Lower Smith River Road follows the broad river around oxbow corners and canopies of trees.

Waterfalls abound during the rainy season, rolling down out of the hills and under the road. It’s a pastoral drive, with cattle, horses and sheep dotting the landscape from the road to the river.

A sign reads, ÒCattle on road, 8 to 11 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m.Ó

Working barns seem to be around every turn. After a particularly large red and white barn, Lower Smith River Road becomes simply Smith River Road. It transitions out of the lower river basin and begins to climb up into the hills of the Coast Range.

Sixteen miles from Reedsport is the Smith River Grocery Store and Tavern. From there it’s 55 miles to Eugene, through the heart of the Oregon Coastal Mountain Range. The upper tributaries of the Smith River support wild trout populations, and the main stem supports one of the few wild coho salmon populations.

The lower Smith is typical of Oregon’s coastal rivers, influenced by the tides and is home to runs of stripers as well. The Smith supports populations of steelhead and Chinook salmon as well.

A little further up the road, roughly 20 miles from Reedsport, is the Smith River Falls. Rather than providing breathtaking drama, the curtain falls transects the entire river in a modest fashion. The eye is drawn more to the many smaller falls along the road, the blankets of moss, and the glistening cliff rocks that line the way. The river occasionally peeks through the thick undergrowth and brambles.

Just past the falls is the Smith River Falls Recreation Site, offering campgrounds, a  boat launch, picnic tables and fire pits. There is a common toilet but no potable water or RV hookups. It’s perfect for tent camping, with a good chance of total solitude in winter.

A few of the campsites have access to the river and fishing. Always read the current regulations that pertain to the time of year and the species of fish.

When the season allows it, the route carries travelers all the way to the Willamette Valley.

Just past the Haight Creek Picnic Area, North Sister Road becomes the Siuslaw River Road for a short distance before veering left onto Wolf Creek Road. Wolf Creek Road travels over Territorial Road for a moment, then turns right onto Crow Road.

This is the Crow Road that eventually leads back to the Mapleton Eugene Highway, which becomes West 11th Avenue in Eugene.

By Nicholas T. Martin

Contributed Photo

The campground offers 70 campsites, 40 RV sites with electrical and water hookups, 30 tent camping sites and three cabins available by reservation. Visitors can expect handicap accessible restrooms with flushing toilets and warm showers.

‘The park and rural community of 700 people are surrounded by mountainous beauty and lush ranch land,” the park’s Web site reads.

The day-use area of the park includes three picnic shelters, tennis courts, basketball and volleyball courts, a fish cleaning station, horseshoe pits and a softball field. The south end of the park is bordered by a 30-acre manmade lake, which is stocked with trout, bass, catfish and crappie.

‘A pleasing part of Powers County Park is the willingness of the staff to always find room for one more camper,” according to the park’s Web site.

During the summer, campsites with hookups are $16 per night or $11 without. In the winter, campsites are $12 per night with hookups or $10 without.

Cabins require a $10 non-refundable reservation fee and are $30 per night or $180 per week.

For more information or to reserve a cabin, call (541) 439-2791.

By Andy Rossback

These yurts are perfect for protecting campers from the moisture that comes in on the marine air.

Some people love the outdoors but prefer not to sleep amid the weather that gives Bandon its nickname, ‘The Storm Watching Capital of the World.”

There is a unique middle ground.

Located two miles north of Bandon, nestled between the Coquille River and the Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, Bullard’s Beach State Park is ideal for biking, camping, hiking and horseback riding.

Park officials invite people to explore the 4.5 miles of beach as they ride their bikes on the hard-packed sand. Horses are allowed on the beach and trails.

While the Coquille River Lighthouse and Bandon By the Sea are a few of the main attractions, a growing trend is attracting outdoor enthusiasts from across the country.

More comfortable than you might imagine.

The yurt camping program began in 1994 for campers without RVs or tent trailers. Each yurt site contains a domed, waterproof tent with wooden floor, electricity, heat, coffee table, skylight, windows and locking door, along with all the comforts of home, such as padded bunk beds and a fold-out couch.

Yurt camping gives campers a way to enjoy their vacations in any kind of weather. The whole family can have fun even if the weather rains on the parade.

Reservations can be made up to nine months in advance and at least two days prior. Yurts cost between $27 and $30 a night. For reservations call toll free (800) 551-6949 or visit www.oregonstateparks.org.

By Nia Towne

These riders take a little break to fill up and discuss their next ride. Photo by Lou Sennick

Want to wake up to the smell of two-strokes? Hang out with ATV enthusiasts at Riley Ranch campground near Hauser.

The Coos County campground boasts 53 full water and electricity hookup sites and miles of ATV tracks. The 135-acre former ranch is open to all three classes of ATV traffic.

The site also has hiking opportunities and is home to the 30-acre Butterfield Lake. Camping access varies in price per night depending on hookups. Cabin camping is $40 per night with a $10 non-refundable reservation fee.

Riley Ranch is located off Highway 101 between Hauser and Spinreel.

Want to know more? Call (541) 396-3121, Ext 354.

Photo by Lou Sennick

Honeyman State Park is a jewel for several reasons. The park is one of the largest campgrounds in Oregon, with two freshwater lakes: Cleawox Lake and Woahink Lake.

Woahink is open for water sports, so bring your canoe or fishing boat and enjoy a day between the beach and the Coast Range.

A note of interest to ATVers is that the campground restricts ATVs during the high season, beginning the first of May and continuing until Sept. 30. So bring some quiet things to do.

Camping can be quite an adventure. Select from a cabin, yurt or a tepee for your family outing. Make reservations for these coveted spots by logging onto www.reserveamerica.com.

Photo by Lou Sennick

Photo by Alex Powers

Some people just need to unplug. Loon Lake Lodge & RV Resort employee Brian Kruse said it’s the lake’s lack of cell phone coverage that attracts many families each year.

‘Kids can’t spend the trip texting,” he said.

In the tech-savvy, communications-driven culture of the 21st century, he said, some families are looking for a chance to focus on themselves.

‘We’re a huge family destination,” Kruse said.

Janis Lloyd, manager of the federal Loon Lake Recreation Site, estimates as many as 50,000 people visit the shores of Loon Lake each year.

Photo by Alex Powers

World Graphic by Jeff Trionfante

Visitors commonly can be found on the lake waterskiing behind fast boats, inner tubing or picnicking on its shores.

Lloyd believes the lake’s temperate weather attracts locals and tourists looking for a change from cool coastal winds.

‘It’s because it has such beautiful weather,” she said.

Just 7.5 miles inland from the Umpqua River, air temperature around the lake — protected by trees and surrounding hills — climbs to 70 to 90 degrees during the summer.

BLM maintains a boat ramp at its day-use area. The nearby lodge offers a full-service marina that rents a ski boat, pontoon boats, Jet Skis, paddle boats, kayaks and canoes.

And for those who just have to be in touch with the outside world, wireless Internet and cable TV hookups are available in the resort’s RV park.

By Alex Powers

World File Photo

Smith River is just 75 miles long from start to finish. Its origin is the Oregon Coast Range near Cottage Grove, unlike the Umpqua, which originates in the Cascades.

The river dumps into the Umpqua near Gardiner before flowing into the Pacific Ocean. Tides affect the lower part of the river, and it makes for great fall Chinook salmon fishing.

The falls are a popular destination for locals to escape summer heat. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management campground offers a peaceful riverside setting in the shade of towering trees.

The campground is past the falls themselves, with eight tent or trailer sites and vault toilets, but no water.

The Smith River is paralleled by aptly-named Smith River Road for much of the way, then by Douglas County Road No. 48, which is mostly gravel past the falls. Smith River Road intersects with U.S. Highway 101 just north of Reedsport, before Gardiner.