Shore Acres

Shore Acres

  • Easy (to Simpson Cove)
  • 0.6 miles round trip
  • 80 feet elevation gain


  • Moderate (to Cape Arago)
  • 4.4-mile loop
  • 550 feet elevation gain



Breakers crash against the tilted sandstone cliffs of Cape Arago’s rugged coast. Sea lions bark from offshore reefs. Wavelets lap the beaches of hidden coves. If this seems an unlikely backdrop for a formal English garden, welcome to the surprises of Shore Acres State Park. It’s possible to drive to many of the attractions here, and tips for car travelers are detailed on page 178. But to explore this unusual coastline thoroughly, you’ll need to hike at least a portion of the trail between Sunset Bay and Cape Arago.

To find Shore Acres from Highway 101 in Coos Bay, follow signs …

For a more substantial hike, …

Other Hiking Options To see more, start at …


This chapter taken from the book 100 Hikes/Travel Guide: Oregon Coast & Coast Range.

The park's formal garden

Simpson Cove