Updated: April 4, 2024
Located on the warmer part of the southern Oregon Coast, where the Rogue River meets the Pacific Ocean, Gold Beach is a small beach town with a big backyard.
With a pristine national forest on one side, the vast open ocean on the other and the mouth of the river at its doorstep, there are many options for outdoor adventures and fun things to do in Gold Beach, Oregon.
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Where is Gold Beach, Oregon?
Gold Beach is located on the southern Oregon Coast in Curry County, about 5.5 hours driving from Portland (300 miles) and 3 hours and 45 minutes from Eugene (200 miles). From Eugene, take highway 126 west to Florence, then head south on highway 101.
Another route coming from the north is to take I-5 south past Cottage Grove, then take highway 38 west to Reedsport. Highway 38 is one of our favorite scenic drives in Oregon, especially in the fall. Then head south on highway 101 and explore the southern coast all the way down to Gold Beach.
Transportation to Gold Beach, OR
Driving is the most common way to get to Gold Beach. There is also a small municipal airport for private or chartered planes. For bus, train, car and camper rental information, see Transportation to the Oregon Coast.
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About Gold Beach, Oregon
This area is the native homeland of the Tututni people. White settlers began arriving in the mid-1800s, clashing with the natives in violent battles.
After the Rogue River Wars in 1856, surviving members of the tribes were force-marched to the Siletz reservation along with Oregon’s other coastal indigenous people. For more about Oregon native history, see the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians or the Coquille Indian Tribe.
Gold Beach received its name after gold was discovered near the mouth of the Rogue River in 1852. Formerly called Ellensburg, the name was officially changed in 1891.
After the gold rush, the town’s economy primarily depended on fishing and logging. Commercial salmon fishing ceased on the river in 1935 due to overfishing and the logging mills began closing down in the 1980s. Today, the town subsists mainly on tourism and Gold Beach has a population of a little over 2,000 residents.
Top Things to Do in Gold Beach, Oregon
Explore the Rogue River in Gold Beach
Flowing 215 miles from Crater Lake in Oregon’s Cascade Range to the Pacific Ocean at Gold Beach, the Rogue River is a top destination for whitewater rafting and salmon fishing and is known for its pristine scenery and forested canyons.
Gold Beach Jet Boat Tours of the Rogue River
See the rugged wilderness of the lower river canyon, a protected area designated as a National Wild and Scenic River. A trained jet boat pilot will be your guide as you take in the incredible scenery, learn about the history of the area and watch for wildlife including black bear, deer, river otters and bald eagles.
Due to the rugged terrain and lack of roads, mail was delivered by boat to the homesteads along the river beginning in the late 1800s. Jerry’s Rogue Jets in Gold Beach offers a variety of tours including a mail boat tour from May through October.
Fishing on the Rogue River Near Gold Beach
The Rogue, Elk and Sixes Rivers are known for some of the best salmon and steelhead fishing in the country. Ocean bottom fishing for lingcod and rockfish is also available by charter in Gold Beach.
Boats can be launched from the Port of Gold Beach ramp. Be sure to check current ODFW fishing regulations and recreation reports before you head out or go with an expert guide who knows the waters well. There are a number of excellent fishing charter companies in Gold Beach to choose from.
If you are interested in whitewater rafting tours on the Rogue River, they start further inland upriver from Gold Beach and you’ll find most outfitters located in or near Grants Pass, Oregon.
Enjoy the Beaches
Gold Beach has several uncrowded beaches that stretch for miles up and down the coast. Head north about 5 miles to Otter Point State Recreation Site and Barley Beach. A short trail leads out to a cliffside overlook with panoramic views of the ocean and trails also lead down to the beach.
Further north, Nesika Beach and Ophir Beach are wide open, quiet beaches perfect for walks and Sisters Rock State Park is a rocky beach dotted with sea stacks great for hiking, tide pools and sea caves.
Driving south from Gold Beach, stop at Kissing Rock for a photo and some excellent rockhounding and agate hunting and continue to Cape Sebastian State Scenic Corridor. At over 200 feet above sea level, you can see for more than 40 miles on a clear day.
The Cape Sebastian Trail is a moderate hike that leads roughly 2 miles each way through coastal forest to the beach. Just south of Cape Sebastian, Meyers Creek Beach Viewpoint is a picturesque beach with rock formations perfect for watching sunsets.
Stop at the Pistol River State Scenic Viewpoint for beach access where the Pistol River meets the ocean and windswept sand dunes. The area is popular with kite boarders and the dunes provide excellent bird watching.
One of the most popular things to do near Gold Beach is to drive the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. About 15 minutes south of Gold Beach, it is one of the highlights of the southern Oregon Coast famous for its photogenic natural bridges, sea stacks, arched rock formations and blue-green waters. See Brookings, Oregon for a detailed guide to the corridor.
Hike or Camp in the National Forest
Beginning roughly 15 miles east of Gold Beach, the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is comprised of nearly 1.8 million acres of pristine wilderness lands including 6 rivers, remote mountain lakes, diverse wildlife and towering old forests. Explore the hiking, biking and equestrian trails, go backcountry camping, stay in a remote cabin, go fishing or choose from a whole menu of outdoor adventures.
The Rogue River Trail is a lengthy 40-mile hiking trek that runs alongside the river through some of Oregon’s most impressive wilderness. The trail is considered difficult due to the rugged landscape and remote location. Learn more about the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.
An easier option is the Myrtle Tree Trail, a short hike to see the largest Myrtle Tree in Oregon.
See the Sights in Gold Beach
The Isaac Lee Patterson Bridge (or Rogue River Bridge) connects Gold Beach to the small, unincorporated community of Wedderburn and spans the Rogue River. A concrete arch bridge with Art Deco influences, it was designed by Oregon bridge master Conde McCullough and completed in 1932.
The wreck of the Mary D. Hume, a former whaling vessel and tugboat built in 1881 sits near the shoreline just west of the bridge on the south side of the river. Visit at low tide for the best views of the deteriorating old boat that served as an active sea vessel for 97 years.
👉 Learn more about shipwrecks on the Oregon Coast
📚 Visit Gold Beach Coffee, Books & Art, the largest bookstore on the Oregon Coast, and browse their impressive collection of books, peruse the art gallery and grab a coffee and pastry.
For free information and maps, the Gold Beach Visitor’s Center is located at the southern end of town, right off Highway 101.
More things to do:
- Visit Port Orford, a charming old fishing town on the southern Oregon Coast
- Drive a gorgeous section of coastline near Brookings, Oregon
- Book a guided tour on the Oregon Coast and see the sights with a local expert
Places to Stay in Gold Beach, Oregon
Top Hotels in Gold Beach
Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge is a luxurious resort lodge located on the Rogue River about 15 minutes inland from Gold Beach. It’s been featured in national travel magazines as one of the top lodges in the Pacific Northwest.
There are also more reasonable hotels in Gold Beach, mostly on the south side of town, with a few options near the bridge.
Always book in advance for the best options. Search for your travel dates to see the latest deals and prices for Gold Beach hotels.
Campgrounds and RV Parks Near Gold Beach, Oregon
The nearest Oregon State Park with overnight camping is 30 minutes north of Gold Beach at Humbug Mountain State Park. Also see Port Orford, Oregon for more details about the campgrounds in that area.
🌲 Guide to the best campgrounds on the Oregon Coast
🚐 There are several privately owned RV parks and campgrounds along the Oregon Coast off Highway 101 and up the Rogue River along the 595. 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 Gold Beach, Oregon
There are quite a few options for restaurants in Gold Beach, some with views of the river or ocean. Fresh fish and local seafood are staple menu items, as well as burgers and homestyle American standards.
Spinner’s in Gold Beach is an older, upscale seafood and steak house with some ocean-view tables.
Barnacle Bistro off Highway 101 in Gold Beach makes well-crafted sandwiches, burgers, tacos and fish n’ chips in a laid-back atmosphere.
Indian Creek Café is located in the Indian Creek RV Park in Gold Beach where the creek meets the Rogue River. The cafe serves hearty homestyle breakfasts with outside tables along the creek.
Double D’s Café is also a popular Gold Beach breakfast spot.
For craft beer connoisseurs, Arch Rock Brewing Company is an award-winning local brewery in Gold Beach with a very small industrial spot where you can sample and order locally-made beer to go (not a sit-down restaurant).
The Wild Rivers Coast Food Trail connects visitors to the local cuisine of the Southern Oregon Coast, including Gold Beach. There are 39 stops including bakeries, restaurants, farms, markets, breweries, distilleries and seafood stands.
🍴 Browse more of the best restaurants on the Oregon Coast
🍺 Find more local Oregon Coast craft breweries
Weather in Gold Beach, Oregon
The weather in Gold Beach is milder than other areas of the Oregon Coast and can be 20 degrees warmer due to a “banana belt” effect. The climate is mild year-round and can stay in the mid-60s F in winter with lows in the 40s.
Temperatures rarely get too hot in summer with highs in the 60s-70s F. Spring and Autumn are moderate with a mix of sunny and rainy days. Like the rest of the coast, there is still frequent rain throughout the year, with the exception of July and August.
September can be a beautiful time to visit the coast with lingering warm days as autumn arrives. Learn more about what kind of weather to expect and the best time of year to visit Gold Beach and the Oregon Coast.
The beaches in Oregon are usually windy and cool year-round, so it’s a good idea to wear layers and bring rain gear. See our guide on what to wear to the Oregon Coast and get a free packing list to help you prepare for your trip.
Tide Charts for Gold Beach 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, stores or hotels for a free tide table booklet.
🦀 See our Oregon Coast tide pools guide to find the best tide pool spots near Gold Beach.
Annual Events and Festivals in Gold Beach, Oregon
Looking for more fun things to do in Gold Beach? We’ll list major annual events as they are announced.
April – Gold Beach Glass Float Treasure Hunt
For more details and events, see Visit Gold Beach.
👉 See our calendar for more annual events on the Oregon Coast
Taking a road trip? From Gold Beach, drive 35 minutes north to Port Orford, or 35 minutes south to Brookings to continue exploring Oregon Coast towns.
