Updated: April 3, 2024
A small fishing town on the southern coast, Port Orford, Oregon, is the perfect place to get away from it all. It may be a bit out of the way for some, but the rewards are worth it.
If you love the outdoors, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Port Orford, like exploring unspoiled wild areas with unbeatable views of the rugged coastline, towering sea stacks, spouting whales and the vast, blue Pacific Ocean.
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Contents
- Where is Port Orford, Oregon?
- Transportation to Port Orford
- About Port Orford
- Things to Do in Port Orford
- Places to Stay in Port Orford
Hotels
Vacation Rentals
Campgrounds - Restaurants and Dining in Port Orford
- Weather in Port Orford, Oregon
- Tide Charts for Port Orford, Oregon
- Annual Events and Festivals in Port Orford
Where is Port Orford, Oregon?
Port Orford is on the southern Oregon Coast in Curry County, about 5 hours driving from Portland (273 miles) and 3 hours from Eugene (168 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 Port Orford.
Transportation to Port Orford, OR
Driving is the easiest and fastest way to get to Port Orford. 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 Port Orford, Oregon
This area is the native homeland of the Tututni people. Cape Blanco was spotted in 1792 by English navigator Captain George Vancouver, who named it after his friend, the Earl of Orford.
White settlers began arriving in the mid-1800s, clashing with the natives in violent battles, resulting in many lost lives. After the Rogue River Wars in 1856, remaining 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.
Port Orford claims to be the oldest town on the Oregon Coast, founded in 1856– not to be confused with the town of Astoria, Oregon on the Columbia River, which is the oldest settlement west of the Rocky Mountains. Early industries included gold mining, fishing and lumber as well as farming and dairy. The port district was established in 1911.
A small fleet of commercial fishing boats still operates out of the port and it is home to one of the only dolly docks in the world. Boats are lowered by crane into the ocean and hoisted back up onto land every day (see “Fishing in Port Orford” below). Today, Port Orford, Oregon, has a population of a little over 1,000 people.
Top Things to Do in Port Orford, Oregon
Visit Cape Blanco State Park and Lighthouse
About 10 miles north of Port Orford, Cape Blanco is the westernmost point of the state, where the coastline veers out abruptly into the Pacific. Cape Blanco State Park is a must-visit spot on the southern Oregon Coast with miles of hiking trails, scenic ocean viewpoints, fishing, horse trails, a campground with overnight campsites and the historic Hughes house, a Victorian rancher’s home built in 1898.
The Cape Blanco Lighthouse, built in 1870, is the oldest standing lighthouse in Oregon. It is open for tours on a limited basis. Visit the Cape Blanco Heritage Society for lighthouse and Hughes house tour information.
👉 See more of the best lighthouses on the Oregon Coast.
More Parks Near Port Orford, Oregon
Port Orford is surrounded by public lands, parks and pristine natural areas in every direction.
Floras Lake
Next to Cape Blanco, on the north side of the Sixes River, Floras Lake State Natural Area is a lesser-known area popular with windsurfers. You’ll find hiking trails to Blacklock Point, Floras Lake, Floras Lake Waterfall and the sheer Blacklock Cliffs. There are some impressive beach views and rock formations here and Boice-Cope Park, a small county campground on the north end of the lake, has overnight campsites.
Battle Rock
Battle Rock Wayside Park is a day-use city park named after a fierce battle in 1851, when the Qua-to-mah band of natives resisted efforts by European settlers to claim the land. Historical markers at the site tell the story of the battle and the visitor center is also located in this park for more information about the surrounding area.
Port Orford Heads
Port Orford Heads State Park offers some of the most impressive views of the large rocks, coves, cliffs and rugged coastline in this area. Explore the hiking trails and the historic Coast Guard lifeboat station and museum.
Agate Beach and Paradise Point
Tseriadun State Recreation Site (pronounced serry-AH-dun) or Agate Beach is a windswept beach lined with small stones perfect for agate-hunting. Paradise Point State Recreation Site is also good for beachcombing and rockhounding.
👉 Learn more about the best rockhounding and agate hunting on the Oregon Coast.
Humbug Mountain and Sisters Rock
Humbug Mountain State Park features a very steep, challenging hike up one of the coast’s highest headlands. The campground offers overnight campsites with electrical and water and a reservable picnic area. Ten minutes to the south, Sisters Rock State Park is a rocky beach dotted with sea stacks great for hiking, tide pools and sea caves.
Ride the Wild Rivers Coast Scenic Bikeway
The Wild Rivers Coast Scenic Bikeway is one of several Oregon Scenic Bikeways, or designated bike routes curated by experts. Explore 60 miles of the South Coast with a variety of bike routes to choose from.
Pedal out to the tip of Cape Blanco, or head inland to the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and follow the Elk River. Other routes include Paradise Point and Port Orford Heads State Park.
Fishing in Port Orford
Port of Port Orford
Watch the working fishing boats come and go each day at the Port of Port Orford. This unique Oregon port has an open-water dock with no natural protection and is the only dry dock, or dolly dock, on the West Coast. Fishing boats weighing up to 25,000 pounds are lifted in and out of the water daily by a crane, then set on a dolly and parked on land.
With the port situated on the open ocean, there is no dangerous ocean bar for boats to cross, but moorage is only possible for short periods when the weather and ocean conditions are calm.
Here, you can also charter a boat if you’re interested in trying your hand at deep-sea fishing for lingcod, red snapper and rockfish, among many others. There are more than 50 species of fish in the ocean waters offshore.
Fishing in Lakes and Rivers Near Port Orford
The Elk and Sixes Rivers, north of Port Orford and the Rogue River 35 minutes south in Gold Beach, Oregon are known for some of the best salmon fishing in the country. Also, 130-acre Garrison Lake located right in Port Orford offers fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and stocked rainbow trout.
You can also fish from the port’s dock or jetty, or even right off the beach. Be sure to check current ODFW fishing regulations and recreation reports.
Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve
Just south of Port Orford, Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve is a protected marine area and prime scuba diving destination located offshore between Rocky Point and Coal Point. The reserve includes rocks, reefs, islands and surrounding kelp forests that serve as habitats for a diverse variety of fish and marine life.
Five islands are part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge and are home to many nesting seabirds and breeding marine mammals including puffins, seals, sea lions and whales. Visit the Redfish Rocks Community Team for more information.
Explore the Town of Port Orford
Walk around and explore Port Orford’s local shops, galleries and restaurants. The town has a strong arts community with various galleries and studios showcasing the work of local artists.
The Port Orford trail system also links points of interest around town.
You may also be interested in:
- Things to do on the Oregon Coast – browse by activity
- See the Coquille River Lighthouse in Bandon, Oregon »
- Experience the dramatic coastline of the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor near Brookings, Oregon ».
- Book a guided tour to see the sights on the Oregon Coast
Places to Stay in Port Orford, Oregon
Top Hotels and Resorts in Port Orford
🏆 Best Hotel-Resort Overall: Wildspring Guest Habitat is a small, award-winning, eco-friendly coastal resort in Port Orford recommended by many national publications including The New York Times.
Set on five forested acres with a hot tub overlooking the ocean, this romantic resort offers artfully furnished, private cabins. Children must be 10 years or older and there is one dog-friendly cabin.
👨❤️👨 Interested in more of the best Oregon Coast hotels for couples? Check out:
Campgrounds and RV Parks Near Port Orford, Oregon
Cape Blanco State Park, Humbug Mountain State Park and Boice-Cope county campground are located near Port Orford, OR, and all offer overnight camping. See above (Things to Do in Port Orford) for more details.
Campsites at Cape Blanco State Park campground include electrical sites with water, horse campsites and hiker/biker campsites as well as cabins for rent.
Humbug Mountain State Park is situated in the forest along Brush Creek near Port Orford and has campsites with electric and water, tent campsites with water nearby and hiker/biker campsites.
Boice-Cope Park is a small, county campground on Floras Lake near Port Orford. Popular with windsurfers, the campground offers RV hookup campsites and tent campsites. Kayak rentals are available nearby and there is a boat launch for motorized and non-motorized vessels.
🌲 Find more of the best campgrounds in the southern Oregon Coast region in our camping guide.
Restaurants and Dining in Port Orford, Oregon
For such a small town, there are quite a few good restaurants in Port Orford.
Redfish offers fine dining and local seafood in a contemporary space in Port Orford with an unbeatable ocean view.
Head to Crazy Norwegian’s in Port Orford for fish & chips and pie after visiting Battle Rock Park.
Tasty Kate’s serves espresso and pastries in a colorful, coastal Oregon hippie cottage in Port Orford.
Stop at Golden Harvest Herban Farm and Bakery in Port Orford for soups, salads and sandwiches plus a bakery and ice cream shop.
Mr. Ed’s Espresso, Juice, and Underground Pub in Port Orford features local live music, pizza, coffee, smoothies and even breakfast.
Portside Café is a casual, local Port Orford spot serving hearty hometown breakfasts and lunches.
🌭 Langlois Market in Langlois, Oregon, near Port Orford, is locally famous for their hot dogs and homemade mustard.
The Wild Rivers Coast Food Trail connects visitors to the local cuisine of the Southern Oregon Coast, including Port Orford. There are 39 stops including bakeries, restaurants, farms, markets, breweries, distilleries and seafood stands.
You may also want to browse:
🍴 More of the best restaurants on the Oregon Coast by city and region
🍺 Guide to Oregon Coast local breweries
Weather in Port Orford, Oregon
Port Orford sits at the northern end of Oregon’s “banana belt,” which stretches south to Brookings. This area is often 20 degrees warmer than surrounding regions.
The climate in Port Orford is mild year-round and can stay in the 50s-60s F in winter with lows in the 40s. Temperatures rarely get too hot in summer with highs in the mid 60s F. Like the rest of the coast, there is still frequent rain throughout the year, with the exception of July and August.
September is 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 the Oregon Coast.
The beaches in Oregon are usually breezy and cool year-round, so it’s a good idea to wear layers and bring rain gear. See our guide on what to wear for a trip to the Oregon Coast and get a free packing list to help you prepare for your trip.
Tide Charts for Port Orford 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 pools near Port Orford.
Annual Events and Festivals in Port Orford, Oregon
Looking for more fun things to do in Port Orford? Here are the major events held annually to help you plan your trip.
July – Port Orford Jubilee
For more details and events, see Enjoy Port Orford Oregon.
👉 See our calendar for more annual events on the Oregon Coast
Taking a road trip? From Port Orford, drive 30 minutes north to Bandon, or 35 minutes south to Gold Beach to continue exploring Oregon Coast towns.
