Sunset Bay State Park — Attraction in Coos Bay

Sunset Bay State Park includes a number of attractions along a six-mile road that deadends at Cape Arago. They is also a trail loop hike. Other must-see stops along the short route include Simpson Reef Overview -- spectacular during low tide and at Sunset -- which features five types of constantly barking seals. Take binoculars and your telephoto lens. Then there is the spectacular Shore Acres Park, the original estate of lumber baron L. J. Simpson with multiple gardens and access to Simpson Beach. Built in the early 1900's, it was the site of lavish Gatsby-style parties before the house burned to the ground. The entire estate was donated to the state of Oregon so the public could enjoy it in perpetuity. The nearby campground features tent and trailer sites, as well as eight yurts, four of which have wheelchair ramps. Clean restrooms and hot showers in each loop, a feature of almost all Oregon campgrounds. Sunset Bay is just a short walk away, with it's tidepools at low tide (schedule available at the campground) and gorgeous sunsets with others on the beach every night. Bring a canopy to cover you food prep and table area in...

We traveled north on Beaver Hill Road from Bullard, Or to this park and wished we had stayed on Hwy 101 to North Bend instead. Beaver Hill Road is very narrow, twisty, has no turnouts, and goes through active logging region. The state park campground is right off Cape Arago Hwy. The beach is an easy walk from the campground on a level trail. Sunset Bay is shallow so when the tide is out the bay is partially mud flats but also sandy with great views. We did not find a boat ramp on the bay. Some campsites had steep hills for the first several feet others were nice and level. The gate house was staffed, and the park is in fairly good repair. There are some old tables that need to be replaced. There are high bushes between sites providing privacy There is a nice, indoor interpretive center in the campground with daily programs offered in July when we visited. There is a network of hiking trails nearby but no information on distances or difficulty. There are additional day use state parks close by that are worth visiting – Shore Acres offers fabulous views and a wonderful botanical garden; Simpson Reef offers views of a seal...

It's a good location but the camping is below average. The sites are small and even as an experienced trailer tower it took me a few attempts to get backed in. I could only put my awning out maybe half way or it was over the firepit. We had a full hookup but if you don't there is no dump station. Our friends had a site with foot high grass. I don't think I ever saw someone at the booth in 3 days, and you can only get firewood from 4-7pm, but the Rangers are there are abundant and over-regulating your visit. They go around at about 9:30 to tell campers to "get ready for quiet hours" - they stopped by our site three times. The last time we were sitting around the campfire, no music, just talking in normal voices. When asked why we had to be quiet in advance of "quiet hours" he stated this park is quiet 24 hours a day. I never knew that was a thing? The Ranger told us if we didn't lower our voices to a whisper he would call the State Police. ?? He actually did to some campers across from us, they were ordered to "go to bed". If you like camping at the library 10 feet away from your neighbors you will...