Shore Acres State Park: Dramatic Natural Beauty of the Oregon Coast

• Shore Acres is a unique combination of dramatic natural beauty and man-made marvels
• Features botanical gardens with plants from all over the world

Perched on the scenic cliff above the Pacific Ocean, Shore Acres State Park is a unique combination of rugged natural beauty and man-made marvels. Located 13 miles southwest of Coos Bay and 4 miles of Charleston,  the 743-acre park features seven acres of beautiful gardens which include a formal garden, two rose gardens, an Oriental garden with a lily pond. The botanical gardens are landscaped with plants from all over the world.

There is a glass-walled wave watching shelter that offers excellent views of the ocean, seaside cliffs, and whales migrating south from December through February and then north from March to May. Simpson Beach Trail runs to Simpson Cove offering a great stroll through the beautiful coastal forest, offering vistas of turbulent waves crashing on the rocky shore, and sea lions resting on reefs.

From Thanksgiving until New Year's Eve, Shore Acres celebrates Holiday Lights with 325 thousand colored lights and decorations.

Hiking

Simpson Beach Trail is a 0.5-mile-long pathway with a 200-foot elevation gain. It will take you directly to Simpson Beach from the southwest edge of the parking lot.

The eight-mile hiking trail along Cape Arago Highway is a part of the Oregon Coast Trail. The route connects Sunset Bay State Park to Shore Acres and Cape Arago State Parks. Along the trail, you will enjoy the pristine coastal forest, cliffs, stunning ocean panoramas, Cape Arago Lighthouse, Gregory Point, Shore Acres State Park, and sea lions at Simpson Reef and Shell Island. The 2.5-mile trail leads to Bastendorff Beach County Park.

Pets are allowed on the trail but should be kept on a leash no longer than six feet, pets waste must be removed. Pets are not allowed to enter Shore Acres State Park, however, they could stay on the trail.

Shore Acres were established as a 1,600-acre private estate in the early 1900s by Louis J. Simpson. He was a timber magnate, a founder, and five times mayor of the city of North Bend. In 1908, he built a three-story mansion with an indoor swimming pool and a ballroom and presented it to his wife Cassandra. This location became well-known for its stunning ocean views, beautiful gardens, a large house serving as a place to entertain Simpson Family's guests. Later, Simpson purchased all of the lands along the coast, from Sunset Bay to Cape Arago.

A chain of tragic events occurred in the 1920s. Cassandra died after a long illness in April of 1921. Three months later, a fire destroyed the mansion. L.J. Simpson remarried and adopted two little girls in 1922. Then he hired a Swedish builder to erect a new two-story mansion. In 1932, after the stock market crashed, Simpson donated the Cape Arago and, 10 years later, sold the Shore Acres portion of his estate to the State of Oregon. Because of the high cost of maintenance, the second mansion was demolished.

Shore Acres became a state park in 1975, after redesigning and replanting.

Open: Year-round
Managed by: Oregon State Parks

Amenities: Information and gift shop, garden, and hiking trails
Activities: Hiking, scenic viewpoints

Day-use fees: Yes; Oregon State Park Pass or Sunset Bay campground receipt
Dogs: Not allowed

Shore Acres is located:

• 12 miles southwest of Coos Bay
• 92 miles west of Roseburg
• 127 miles southwest of Eugene.