A Complete Hiking Guide To North Bend, Oregon
North Bend, Oregon, sits on the edge of the Coos Bay estuary, surrounded by sand dunes, thick coastal forests, and Pacific Ocean cliffs. If you’re a casual walker, a seasoned backpacker, or someone who just wants to stretch their legs between this area offers awesome hiking opportunities—from easy boardwalk strolls to the more challenging dune climbs.
This guide covers the top hiking trails near North Bend, with directions, trail highlights, tips, and seasonal recommendations to help you plan your adventure.
1. John Dellenback Dunes Trail
Distance: 5.5 miles round trip (shorter options available)
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard
Highlights: Sweeping dune fields, solitude, forest-to-dune transitions
The John Dellenback Trail is the ultimate dune hike on the Oregon Coast. You’ll begin in a shaded Sitka spruce forest before the trail bursts out into a vast expanse of sand. The dunes here are huge—sometimes over 100 feet tall—and hiking them is a workout. The official trail reaches the ocean, but many hikers turn back partway after exploring the shifting sandscapes.
Tips: Bring sunglasses—bright sand can be blinding on sunny days. Hiking poles help in the soft sand. Stick to wooden posts marking the trail to avoid getting lost.
Directions from North Bend: Take US-101 north for about 10 miles and look for the trailhead near Eel Creek Campground.
Seasonal Note: Best in spring and fall when cooler weather makes the sand easier to hike. Summer afternoons can be hot on the open dunes.
2. Sunset Bay to Cape Arago Trail
Distance: 6 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Highlights: Ocean cliffs, tidepools, whales, sea lion colonies
This is one of the most scenic hikes on the southern Oregon Coast. The trail begins at Sunset Bay State Park, then winds along bluffs to Shore Acres State Park, where manicured gardens sit dramatically on a cliff edge. Continue on to Cape Arago, where you’ll find viewpoints overlooking rocky offshore islands full of barking sea lions and seabirds.
Directions from North Bend: Take Cape Arago Highway (OR-540) south for about 12 miles. Park at Sunset Bay State Park to start.
Seasonal Note: Spring is prime for whale watching as gray whales migrate north, while winter offers dramatic storm watching with waves crashing into the cliffs. Summer evenings are perfect for picnics at Sunset Bay.
3. Golden and Silver Falls State Natural Area
Distance: 2.6 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Highlights: Twin waterfalls, lush rainforest, mossy cliffs
If you want waterfalls near North Bend, Golden and Silver Falls is the go-to destination. The short hikes here lead to the base and top of two massive cascades—Golden Falls (254 ft) and Silver Falls (259 ft). The forest is lush, with towering maple, alder, and myrtlewood trees.
Directions from North Bend: Take US-101 south to Coos Bay, then turn left onto OR-241 (Coos River Hwy) for about 24 miles and follow signs to the falls.
Seasonal Note: Best in winter and spring when the waterfalls are roaring from seasonal rains. In summer, the shaded forest still makes for a cool retreat.
4. South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
Distance: About 5 miles of trails, choose your loop
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: Estuary views, boardwalks, birdwatching, tidal flats
This is a quiet, family-friendly hike with a focus on ecology and wildlife. The trails explore a mix of forest, salt marsh, and tidal estuary, with plenty of interpretive signs. Boardwalks take you right over the water during high tide, and there are blinds for birdwatching.
Directions from North Bend: Take Cape Arago Highway south for 7 miles, turn right onto Seven Devils Road, and follow signs for the reserve.
Seasonal Note: Spring and fall are best for bird migration. Summer is great for long, sunny walks on the boardwalks, and winter brings moody skies and quiet solitude.
5. Blue Ridge Trail – Elliott State Forest
Distance: 4 miles round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: Old-growth forest, quiet ridges, solitude
For those seeking a rugged and remote experience, the Elliott State Forest east of North Bend offers trails like the Blue Ridge Trail, which climbs through mossy woods and offers ridge-top views.
Directions from North Bend: Head east on Virginia Avenue/Business 101 toward Allegany and use GPS for forest service road access.
Seasonal Note: Best in summer and early fall when forest roads are dry. Winter rains can make the area muddy and access roads difficult.
6. Oregon Dunes Day Hikes (Horsfall Area)
Distance: 1–6 miles, depending on the trail
Difficulty: Easy to Hard (sand walking)
Highlights: Rolling dunes, off-road vehicle areas, ocean views
The Horsfall Dunes Recreation Area just north of town has several trails that explore smaller dune fields and forests near the beach. These are great for shorter walks if you don’t want to tackle the John Dellenback dunes.
Directions from North Bend: Drive north on US-101 about 5 miles and follow signs to Horsfall Beach Road.
Seasonal Note: Summer evenings are ideal for watching sunsets from the dunes. In winter and spring, the cooler weather makes sand walking more comfortable.
Itinerary Ideas
1-Day Hike Sampler: Start the morning on the Sunset Bay to Cape Arago Trail for coastal cliffs and sea life, then stop at South Slough Reserve in the afternoon for an easy estuary walk.
Weekend Hiking Trip: Spend the first morning tackling the John Dellenback Dunes Trail and relax at Horsfall Beach in the afternoon. On day two, drive to Golden and Silver Falls for waterfall hikes, then enjoy a seafood dinner in Coos Bay before heading home.
Hiking Tips for North Bend
Weather is unpredictable—fog is common in the mornings, and afternoons may clear. Pack layers and a rain jacket. Waterproof hiking shoes are helpful as sand and mud are frequent. Cell service is limited in remote areas like Golden & Silver Falls and Elliott State Forest, so download offline maps. Wildlife is abundant—elk, river otters, seals, and whales are common sightings, so bring binoculars. For coastal hikes, check tide tables before heading out.
North Bend offers nearly every ecosystem Oregon has to offer—all within a short drive of town.
