Integral S. Oregon Coast Roadway Finally Under Reconstruction: Near Shore Acres

Published 01/28/25 at 6:06 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Coos Bay, Oregon) – Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) announced that reconstruction work on Cape Arago Highway has begun, after a landslide took out an integral part of the roadway on January 3. The route to Cape Arago and extremely popular Shore Acres State Park has been closed the entire time. (Photo Oregon's Adventure Coast)

It's an important part of the year for tourism at Shore Acres, as it displays the largest wave action on the entire Oregon coast.

Meanwhile, Sunset Bay and its campgrounds reopened shortly after they flooded on January 3.

Many of the hiking trails have been open during all this, including one where you could get to Shore Acres. However, that will be cut off for a time as well.

“The road will be closed to all vehicle, bike, and foot traffic,” OPRD said. “Visitors will still be able to access the Bog Trail between the campground and Yoakam Point, the day-use areas of Sunset Bay, and the portion of the Oregon Coast Trail (OCT) that goes from South Sunset Bay Day Use to Norton Gulch. There will not be access to any trails south of Norton Gulch while construction is happening. Shore Acres and Cape Arago State Parks will be inaccessible during this time.”

That part of the highway at Northon Gulch has been problematic in the past, and this time the damage was overwhelming. OPRD said the construction is expected to last several weeks – although no specific date for reopening was given. That will be announced as soon as contractors have a clearer idea of when.

Oregon State Parks

Contractors have to rebuild as well as repair the infrastructure. Beyond the scope of the project, construction is “extremely weather dependent,” OPRD said. Work can be very on-and-off this time of year because of heavy rains and winds.

Janice Langlinais, executive director of Oregon's Adventure Coast, said the entire roadbed in the area has to be rebuilt, needing complete reconstruction.

Langlinais told Oregon Coast Beach Connection that although hikers cannot currently get to Shore Acres or Cape Arago because of the roadwork, there are many other possibilities for a wonder-filled hiking experience.

Oregon State Parks: when Sunset Bay first flooded

“The hike from Sunset Bay day use to the point where the trail is blocked for the roadwork offers a variety of opportunities to see the ocean, walk through the coastal forest, and spy the lighthouse,” she said.

See Landslide Shuts Down Access to S. Oregon Coast's Shore Acres, Flooding at Sunset Bay

There are also trails from the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, which include the John Dellenback Trail, the only non-motorized portion of the dunes.

“Or another option is going inland from Coos Bay about 25 miles to Golden and Silver Falls State Natural Area,” Langlinais said. “These two waterfalls have been flowing quite well this winter due to the rain from earlier in the month. These are easy hikes to the bases of both waterfalls with a slightly more strenuous hike to the top of Golden Falls. Also note that this Silver Falls is not to be confused with the falls near Silverton, Oregon.”

There is more on this part of the south Oregon coast's hiking opportunities at https://www.oregonsadventurecoast.com/hiking-walking/

Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours

MORE PHOTOS BELOW

Silver Falls near Coos Bay. Photo Oregon's Adventure Coast

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....

Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast.

LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright © Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted