Updated: April 1, 2024
On the southern Oregon Coast, south of Coos Bay, where the Coquille River meets the Pacific Ocean sits the scenic coastal town of Bandon, Oregon. In this less-traveled region of the coast, the beaches are dotted with sea stacks forming an other-worldly landscape.
Wander the uncrowded sandy shores, explore Bandon’s Old Town shops and restaurants, take a stroll on the waterfront boardwalk and discover all of the beautiful scenic viewpoints of this scenic little town by the sea.
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Where is Bandon, Oregon?
Bandon is located on the southern Oregon Coast in Coos County, about 4 hours and 15 minutes driving from Portland (250 miles) or 2.5 hours from Eugene (140 miles).
The most direct route from Portland is I-5 south past Cottage Grove, then highway 38 west to the 101 south junction in Reedsport.
Transportation to Bandon, OR
Driving is the easiest and fastest way to get to Bandon. For air, bus, train, car and camper rental information, see Transportation to the Oregon Coast.
🚗 Save up to 70% on your next car rental through DiscoverCars.
About Bandon, Oregon
This area was home to the Coquille people before white settlers began arriving in the mid-1800s. The tribe was forcibly relocated to the Siletz reservation along with many other coastal indigenous people during this time. For more about Oregon native history in this area, see the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians or the Coquille Indian Tribe.
Bandon was founded in 1873 by George Bennett, who named it after his hometown in Ireland. He brought with him his favorite Irish ornamental shrub, gorse, which he planted liberally around town.
The invasive plant spread quickly and its spiny thickets became a nuisance over the years. It also happened to be a very oily plant, which easily catches fire.
The Bandon Fire of 1936
In 1936, a wildfire burning several miles east of town suddenly headed toward Bandon due to a shift in the wind. The abundance of gorse shrubs quickly ignited. It reacted to water like a grease fire, spreading the burning oil everywhere and burning the entire town nearly to the ground.
Though 10 people died and all but a handful of buildings were destroyed, most of the town’s 1,800 residents survived and rebuilt.
The local economy was primarily based on lumber, cheese and cranberry farming. Bandon is known as the “Cranberry Capital of Oregon,” producing 95% of the state’s crop.
Today, Bandon has a population of about 3,000 residents and beach tourism is the main draw.
Top Things to Do in Bandon, Oregon
Roam Bandon's Beaches
Bandon is known for exceptionally photographic beaches. Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint, Coquille Point, Devil’s Kitchen and Bandon State Natural Area are popular spots for beach access to the interesting sea stack rock formations that dot the coastline in this area.
Go at low tide for the best access to tide pools and caves. You may spot the Circles in the Sand labyrinth art on the beach near Face Rock if you visit in spring and summer (April to August).
👉 Bandon also has some excellent beaches for rockhounding and agate hunting.
Go Fishing Near Bandon
The Coquille River is known for Chinook (king), coho (silver) salmon and steelhead fishing in the fall and winter. Bass and trout are also plentiful throughout the year. Ocean perch, flounder, rockfish and Dungeness crab can also be caught in Bandon’s coastal waters.
Due to declines in the salmon population, salmon fishing may be limited or closed, and all fishing is subject to restrictions. For current regulations and information about fishing in Bandon, see the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife’s recreation report for the southwest zone.
If you don’t have access to a boat, go fishing with an experienced local guide who knows the area well. Fishing charter boats can be booked at the marina.
Camp Near a Lighthouse
At the mouth of the Coquille River, Bullards Beach State Park campground is just 2 miles north of Bandon. The family-friendly park features beach trails, horseback riding and the historic Coquille River lighthouse.
The campsites are set inland from the beach which provides some protection from typical Oregon coast winds. Two trails connect the campground and beach: A 1.25-mile trail suitable for bikes with views of the river and a 3/4-mile trail that crosses through the sand dunes and wetlands over boardwalks.
Campsites include electric sites, full-hookup sites, yurt rentals, hiker/biker camp and a horse camp with 8 primitive sites and corrals. The lighthouse signal room is open from mid-May through September, but the tower is closed to the public.
! Effective January 1, 2024 to May 22, 2024 ! Bullards Beach State Park will be closed due to construction. The day-use areas, horse camp, lighthouse and boat ramp will remain open. For the latest information, visit the park website.
🌲 See our guide to Oregon State Parks on the coast for more campgrounds in this region.
👉 Discover more lighthouses on the Oregon Coast.
Stroll the Bandon Riverfront Boardwalk
Explore Bandon’s charming Old Town and take a walk along the riverfront boardwalk to watch the seals and take in views of the Coquille River. Browse the public art displays from Washed Ashore and local galleries or visit the gift shops and restaurants. Weber’s Pier is a popular spot for crabbing.
You can also take the Beach Loop Drive for a 5-mile tour of interesting stops in town with scenic beach viewpoints.
Learn About Bandon’s Past
If you’re looking for things to do on a rainy day in Bandon, visit the Bandon Historical Society Museum to learn about the history of the town through carefully curated exhibits on early life and artifacts from the people who first settled in the area.
See how the town was shaped by the fishing and logging industries and learn about shipwrecks, cranberry farming and the famous fire of 1936.
Go Horseback Riding on the Beach
If the weather cooperates, take a horseback ride on the beach with Bandon Beach Riding Stables. An experienced guide will take you on a one-hour ride on some of the most scenic shoreline on the entire Oregon Coast with a chance to see wildlife and marine animals while touring the sea stacks at Face Rock.
Play Some World-Class Golf at Bandon Dunes
The renowned Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon consistently ranks among the best golf courses in the world. The resort offers guest rooms, private cottages, a spa, fitness center and on-site restaurants and bars.
You may also be interested in:
- Things to do on the Oregon Coast – browse by activity
- Nearby: Explore Coos Bay, Oregon’s Adventure Coast
- Sea Lion Caves and other activities near Florence, Oregon
- Guided tours of the Oregon Coast
Places to Stay in Bandon, Oregon
Campgrounds and RV Parks Near Bandon
In addition to Bullards Beach State Park mentioned above, Sunset Bay State Park is about a 30-minute drive north (sometimes confused with Sunset Beach, which is up in the northern coast region near Warrenton).
🌲 See our camping guide for more details about campgrounds on the southern Oregon Coast and how to reserve a campsite.
🚐 There are several privately owned RV parks and campgrounds along the Oregon Coast off Highway 101. Services and facilities can vary widely, so be sure to check reviews on Google Maps or use a trusted trip-planning app like RV Life to read unbiased reviews of campgrounds by other RVers. Try it free!
Restaurants and Dining in Bandon, Oregon
Most of the restaurants in Bandon are clustered in Old Town near the marina or along Highway 101.
Tony’s Crab Shack serves fresh fish and seafood on the boardwalk in Bandon and their attached shop sells tackle, rods, bait and fishing licenses. You can also rent crabbing, fishing and clamming gear here and they’ll even cook your catch for you.
Bandon Fish Market is another seafood spot for fresh fish ’n’ chips and clam chowder.
Cranberry Sweets & More, a local Bandon candy shop and favorite stop for visitors with a sweet tooth, sells a variety of candies, chocolates, truffles, many flavors of popcorn, fudge and other sweets.
Bandon Brewing serves locally brewed beers, pizza, burgers and pub fare with indoor and outdoor (dog-friendly) seating.
🍴 See Where to Eat on the Oregon Coast for more dining options in each region of the coast from north to south.
🍺 Find more local Oregon Coast Breweries.
Weather in Bandon, Oregon
The weather in Bandon is generally the same as other areas of the Oregon Coast– cool (50s and 60s F) and damp with frequent rain throughout the year, with the exception of July and August.
Temperatures rarely get too hot in summer with highs in the 60s-70s. Lows dip down into the 30s in winter but snow is rare. Spring and Autumn are a mix of sunny and rainy days.
When is the best time to visit the Oregon Coast? The southern coast doesn’t get as crowded as some beaches up north. Learn more about Oregon Coast weather and decide what season works best for you.
The beaches can be breezy and cool in Bandon. It’s a good idea to wear layers and bring rain gear. See What to Wear to the Oregon Coast by Season for a packing list and more details.
Tide Charts for Bandon and the Oregon Coast
There are two low tides and two high tides every day on Oregon’s coast. Low tide is the time for beachcombing, clamming, tide pools and cave exploration.
For your safety, be aware of the tide schedule before boating or heading out to beaches and always keep an eye on the water level. Use extreme caution in rocky areas near the water, where sneaker waves can (and do) strike.
🌊 Check tide tables or ask at state park offices, local visitor information centers and many stores and hotels for a free tide table booklet.
🦀 See our Oregon Coast tide pools guide to find the best tide pool spots near Bandon.
Annual Events and Festivals in Bandon, Oregon
Looking for more fun things to do in Bandon? We’ll list major annual events here to help you plan your vacation.
March – Crabfest Bandon
April – August – Circles in the Sand Bandon Oregon
September – Bandon Cranberry Festival
For more details and events in Bandon, see Bandon Oregon Chamber of Commerce.
👉 See our complete list of annual events on the Oregon Coast
Taking a road trip? From Bandon, drive 30 minutes north to Coos Bay or head 30 minutes south to Port Orford.
Continue exploring Oregon Coast towns.
