Lakes, Rivers and Ocean: An outdoor lover's dream. In the
Reedsport-Winchester Bay area there are three beautiful and scenic bodies of
water, the Smith River, Scholfield Creek and the Umpqua River. There are over 17
fresh water lakes within a 20-mile radius. The ocean and rivers offer a variety
of seafood, such as Chinook and Coho salmon, bottom fish, striped and small
mouth bass, steelhead. sturgeon, shad, pink fin perch, Dungeness crab, clams and
oysters. Our area is well-known for some of the best fishing opportunities
on the Oregon Coast.
For the 2006 recreational and sport fishing information brochure, click
Here.
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area: Some of the
highest sand dunes
in the United States are located in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area,
which stretches forty miles from Florence to North Bend, with Reedsport-
Winchester Bay located right in the middle. ODNRA headquarters is located at 855
Highway 101 in Reedsport. (541)271-3611
Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area: Located three miles east of Reedsport on
Highway 38, this 1,000-acre preserve provides an opportunity to view 100's of Roosevelt Elk in their natural habitat.
Whale Watching Station and
Umpqua Lighthouse: Located one mile south
of Winchester Bay is the Umpqua River Lighthouse. It is one of the few working
lighthouses on the Oregon Coast and the only one featuring a red lens. Tours inside the lighthouse are available
during the summer months. Across from the lighthouse is an observation deck for
whale watching with interpretive panels and spotting scopes.
Bird Watching: The Lower Umpqua Area is a bird watcher's paradise. In
the forests and marshes watch for the bald eagle, osprey, snowy plover, great
blue heron, and great egret. Along the beach you will find plovers, sanderlings.
terns, gulls, killdeer and sandpipers.
RECREATION
All of our area's resources and facilities accommodate a wide variety of
recreation activities, including fishing, crabbing, clam digging, beach play,
ATV riding in the dunes, hiking, bowling, golfing, hiking, indoor and outdoor
swimming, picnicking, and much, much more.
Golf Course: The Forest Hills Country Club offers one of the finest
nine hole courses on the Oregon Coast. A beautiful pristine setting, a full time
golf professional and reasonable green fees make this a favorite spot for
members or visitors year round. (541) 271 -2626
Parks: The City of Reedsport has four well-developed community parks
that offer softball diamonds, tennis courts, covered and open picnic facilities,
a variety of play equipment and walking and jogging paths.
Camping: The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area has numerous
camping facilities to meet all types of camping needs. Available are private,
forest service, County and State campgrounds.
Salmon Harbor: Located in Winchester Bay, four miles south of
Reedsport, is one of the largest and most modem recreational facilities on the
Oregon Coast, with 900 moorage slips, 300 RV camping sites, 27 land leases and
two boat launch stations.
Beaches and Dunes: Excellent beach access and spectacular ocean views
from Winchester Bay. This area is located in the middle of the 40 mile stretch
of some of the highest dunes in the United States. There are designated area for
riding ATV's in the dunes and for hiking.
Umpqua Discovery Center: Located on the Umpqua River waterfront in
Reedsport, this interpretive center offers a variety of exhibits relating to the
history and culture of our area, as well as one of the finest gift shops on the
Oregon Coast. Open year round. (541)271-4816
Activities To Experience In Our Area
Stop at the Visitor Center to fill up on travel information 24 hours a day.
Take a walk along the riverfront.
Visit the Umpqua Discovery Center on the riverfront and learn about our area.
Drop in at the library at 4th and Winchester Avenue.
Browse the art galleries.
Browse the second hand stores.
Try your luck at clamming on Bolon Island.
Visit the many gifts shops in town and at the bay.
Drop a crab pot in the water from the crab dock at the bay.
Visit our 100 year old, working lighthouse.
Fish the river, the many lakes, or the ocean.
Walk the beach and feel the sand between your toes.
Build a sand castle while you're at the beach.
Fly a kite while you're there as well.
Stop for an espresso while you rest.
Visit the Elk Preserve outside of town.
Do some bird watching at the Elk Preserve or at the beach.
Take one of the beautiful hikes on the Oregon Dunes or at the beach or a mile
around Lake Marie by the lighthouse - Trails for all skill levels.
Sit by the river and watch the tide coming in.
Take a picnic to the beach, along the riverfront, or one of our parks.
Try a stormy day at the beach and watch the waves crash over the jetty.
Sit on the docks at Winchester Bay and watch the sunset.
Enjoy any of the fine restaurants in town or at the bay.
Try some windsurfing in the river.
Flatten out a cardboard box and slide down the dunes.
Collect rocks, shells, or small pieces of uniquely shaped driftwood on the
beach.
Try to spot a whale from the lighthouse or from Wayfinder's Point.
Take a walk around Gardiner to view the Victorian homes of "White City".
Watch for eagles or osprey along the river.
Rent a dune buggy for a fun ride on the tallest dunes in Oregon.
Start on the dike by the Visitor Center and walk to the other end.
Visit the entertaining lighthouse museum.
Watch an interesting 11 minute movie about the dunes at the Oregon Dunes
Visitors Center.
Our Office is located in the Oregon Dunes NRA Building at the junction of
Highways 101 & 38
855 Highway Avenue
Reedsport, Oregon
Visitor Center hours are
Monday through Friday,
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
From
June 1st through September 1st
we are also open Saturdays and Sundays
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
