Merchants Beach - Secluded Paradise with Rich History

The 2-mile-long Merchants Beach at the Seven Devils State Recreation Site is a quiet slice of coastal paradise.

Located 9 miles north of Bandon, it offers access to some of the best long-sequence beaches, stretching from Cape Arago in the north to Bullards Beach State Park in the south.

You can start your journey at Whiskey Run Beach, walk north to Merchants Beach, and then continue to Agate Beach and beyond.

Seven Devils State Recreation Site and Merchants Beach received fewer visitors than the beaches in Bandon and at Cape Arago. This means you can enjoy solitude even during summer. The beach is great for an oceanside picnic with breathtaking views, rockhounding, and hiking.

Merchants Beach History

The Seven Devils State Recreation Site was formerly the homestead of the Merchant family, one of Coos County's pioneers. Born in 1838, Charles Merchant left his New York home as a young boy and headed west. After a stint in the California goldfields, he arrived in Oregon in 1860.

Through intelligence and hard work, Merchant established himself in mercantile, shipbuilding, and timber, becoming one of the county's foremost financiers and landowners.

In 1862, he married Mary Lincoln Gunn, and together, they had 16 children, most of whom lived to adulthood. The lush valley carved by Twomile Creek opens onto the generous beach that bears the family's name.

Interestingly, the wayside was once the site of a 500-acre parcel given to two of the Merchant's sons as a wedding gift.

Hiking

Merchants Beach serves as a starting point for several scenic hikes. Head north past Agate Beach to reach Sacchi Beach, named after Maggie Sacchi. She was a local pioneer midwife highly valued in an era before modern medicine.

For a shorter walk, stroll south around Fivemile Point to Whiskey Run Beach, a popular spot during the area's gold rush in the 1850s. Whiskey Run is also one of the few beaches you can drive your vehicle on.

Rockhounding & Beachcombing

Winter storms and shifting sands reveal quartz, agate, jasper, and petrified wood. The gravel bars at Twomile Creek are the most productive spots.

Beachcombers can find a variety of shells, driftwood, sea glass, and other coastal treasures washed up on the shore, especially after big storms.

Nature Viewing

The hills surrounding Merchants Beach are untouched by the invasive gorse that has taken over much of the nearby coastline. The area supports native trees and shrubs that grow thick, bordering a large, grassy marsh.

Birdwatchers may spot a northern harrier, also known as a marsh hawk, swooping low across the marsh in search of prey and other seaside creatures.

Camping on the beach is not permitted, but nearby Bullards Beach State Park offers a large, well-protected from winds campground. This campground features 200 campsites, including full-hookup sites, electrical and water sites, yurts, and areas for horses and hiker-bikers.

Six campsites and three yurts are accessible for individuals with disabilities.

The campground is open year-round, with reservations available up to six months in advance through the Oregon State Parks reservation system.

For those preferring more comfortable accommodations, the town of Bandon, just a few miles south, provides a wide range of lodging options.

Lodging in Bandon

Affordable vacation rentals for short and long term stay in Bandon