Cape Arago State Park | Oregon Coast

Located at the end of Cape Arago Highway, about 14 miles southwest of Coos Bay, and 5 miles south of Charleston, Cape Arago is a part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge.The cape provides a breathtaking vista of the Pacific Ocean, reefs and islands with large concentrations of marine mammals.

Bordered on the south by Shore Acres State Park, the park was previously a part of Louis J. and Lela Simpson's estate. In 1932, the Simpson Family donated it to the State of Oregon.

In 1778, the headland was named Cape Gregory in honor of Saint Gregory, and later, in 1850 Cape Arago after French physicist and politician Francois Arago. There is a theory that in 1579 English explorer Sir Francis Drake sheltered his ship in the south cove of Cape Arago. During World War II, this spot was used by the Coast Guard and U.S. Army as a lookout site and a radio station.

The park offers an opportunity for fishing, hiking, watching seabirds, offshore colonies of seals and sea lions at Simpson Reef and Shell Island.

Cape Arago Trails

A part of the Oregon Coast Trail, the four-mile trail runs along the coast and provides access to Sunset Bay State Park via the Shore Acres State Park. Another 2.25-mile Pack Trail leads to Shore Acres. Also, there are half-mile trails (north and south coves) to the wildlife refuge and tide pools.

The south cove trail leads to a sandy beach and excellent tide pools (Please do not touch or remove tide pools plants and animals!).

The north cove trail runs down to a beach with tide pools, spots for fishing, and views of the off-shore colonies of seals and sea lions at Shell Island. The north cove is closed from March 1st to June 30th to protect seal pups.