Highway 101 – Pacific Coast Scenic Byway

This scenic byway is a journey along Oregon’s coast from the California state line to Washington’s state line. The byway is 363 miles long and follows US 101, which is a two-lane paved road suitable for all vehicles. The byway is generally open year-round.

Travelers of this byway are rewarded with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, sandy beaches, rugged cliffs, and dense forests. There are many state parks with day use facilities for enjoying the scenery while picnicking or walking the beach.

Between North Bend and Florence is the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area where sand dunes average 250 feet high. There are trails for hiking, horseback riding, and off-road vehicle use. The area also has several campgrounds and picnic areas. A visitor center is in Reedsport and has displays and a movie about the formation of sand dunes. Midway between Reedsport and Florence is the Oregon Dunes Overlook that has dune observation platforms, picnic areas, hiking trails, and restrooms.

A portion of the byway travels through the Siuslaw National Forest. South of Tillamook is the Sand Lake Recreation Area, which has three public campgrounds. A total of 240 RV and tent campsites are available. Between Waldport and Florence are four more national forest campgrounds: Tillicum Beach, Cape Perpetua, Rock Creek, and Sutton Creek. Tillicum Beach is open year-round and has 60 campsites. Cape Perpetua is open mid-May through September and has 38 sites. Rock Creek has 16 RV and tent sites available mid-May through September. Sutton Creek is also open mid-May through September and has 80 campsites; 20 have electric hookups. Besides camping, the national forest also offers numerous picnic areas, hiking and equestrian trails, and great spots for fishing.

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