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Florence is a town that
thrives on the diversity and beauty of its natural resources. As a
visitor to the area, you have the chance to truly take advantage
of its forests, beaches, trails, estuaries, and all of coastal
Oregon's other natural wonders. Spend some time exploring the
great outdoors here, and you'll truly understand what Florence is
all about.
Florence is home to exotic
and beautiful animals of all shapes, sizes, and species. Sea
lions, bald eagles, brown bears, Orca whales, sandpipers,
Roosevelt elk, snow plovers, and cormorants populate the land,
skies, and seas of this rich region. Make sure you keep a camera
nearby...you'll never know when you'll need it.
Twice each year, wildlife
lovers along the Oregon coast are treated to the arrival of
hundreds of gray whales as they make their seasonal migration.
These graceful creatures pass within sight of shore on their
6,000-mile trek, the longest migratory route of any mammal in the
world. In December and January, the whales head south to Baja,
where they breed and give birth. In the spring, between March and
June, the animals return, passing by Oregon as they head toward
the Bering Sea, which they use as rich feeding grounds. For whale
lovers on the shore, it makes for a magnificent sight. And if you
really want to get up close, you can get a tour with an whale
expert and guide, who can take you out to the ocean, where you can
see and learn more.
For a more bizarre type of
wildlife, visit Darlingtonia Wayside, a wooded park north of
Florence, where you'll be able to get a glimpse of the sly cobra
lily, a carnivorous plant that uses the sweet scent of nectar to
lure unsuspecting insects down its tube to certain death.
On a more serene note,
other wildlife worth noting in the area can be found along South
Jetty Road, south of the Siuslaw Bridge. In the winter months,
among the ponds and marshes in this grassy low country, you may
spot Canadian Geese bathing in the ponds, tundra swans traveling
in flocks of up to 300, and redneck palaropes foraging through the
wetlands. You'll also be treated to the sight of white-rumped
Northern Harriers, Northern Flickers, and meadowlarks. A pair of
binoculars is recommended to best take advantage of the views. 
A short distance north of
Florence, along the coast, you'll find the Sea Lion Caves,
recently recognized by the Guiness Book of World Records as the
largest sea caves in the world. Since opening for the public 65
years ago, this awesome natural wonder has attracted countless
visitors from around the nation and the world, fascinating the old
and young alike. Today the cave is also recognized as the only
known home on the North American mainland of wild Stellar sea
lions. Throngs of sea lions pack the shores and rocks along these
caves overlooking the Pacific. Whales and other large marine
animals also occasionally venture up close to this year-round
sanctuary. Together, the amazing wildlife and scenery of this
sight will ensure the visitor memories for a lifetime.
Certainly, one of the best
ways to see the wildlife and natural bounty that Florence has to
offer is to get out and explore the trails. There are 18 hiking
and biking trails in the area, twisting their way around dunes,
along rivers and creeks, across mountains, and past varied
wildlife and pristine wilderness. Grab a bag lunch and a camera
and spend the day hitting these scenic trails.
Carter Dunes
Trail
1.5 mile trail that leads to beach, with views of dunes.
Located 7.5 miles south of Florence. Trailhead is at Carter Lake
Campground turnoff on the west side of Highway 101. |
Chief Tsiltcoos
Trail
1.25-mile trail that winds through coastal evergreen
forests. Located 7 miles south of Florence. Can be accessed from
the trailhead at Siltcoos Beach Road. |
Kentucky Falls
Trail
Difficult trail. Watch children. Winds for 2 miles and
descends 760 feet. Located 38 miles east of Reedsport, along the
Siuslaw River. Take Highway 48 to 48A. Follow to Forest Service
Road 23 to Road 919. |
Lagoon Trail
1 mile in length. Located 7 miles south of Florence, and
can be accessed from the trailhead at Siltcoos Beach Road. |
Mapleton Hill
Pioneer Trail
Easy to moderate; listed on the National Register of
Historic Places. To reach the trail, travel 1 mile east of town
on Highway 126 to North Fork Road. Follow North Fork Road 14
miles to Minerva and turn right. |
Overlook Beach
Trail
1-mile trial that leads to beach. Located 10 miles south of
Florence, on the ocean side of Highway 101. |
Pawn Old Growth
Trail
4,000-foot trail that loops through old-growth forest. Easy
walking; great for family outings. To reach the trail, travel 1
mile east of town on Highway 126 to North Fork Road. Take North
Fork for 17 miles. Keep right and cross bridge. |
Siltcoos Lake
Trail
2.25-mile trail that winds through 60-year-old forests to
Siltcoos Lake. Located 7 miles south of Florence, and can be
accessed from the east side of the highway opposite Siltcoose
Beach Access Road. |
Sutton Creek
Trail
5 miles of varied, generally level, trails. Located 3 miles
north of Florence on the ocean side of Highway 101. |
Sutton Trail
System
Can be accessed from the Alder Dune and Sutton campgrounds,
located 12 miles north of Florence. 6 miles of trails leading to
dunes, beaches, and ocean views. |
Sweet Creek Trail
Scenic views, 2 catwalks, and 11 waterfalls. Easy to
moderate. 4 trail segments, totalling 3 miles, follow Sweet and
Beaver Creeks. Wheelchair access on a segment beginning at the
Homestead Trailhead. |
Tahkenitch Creek
Loop
2.5-mile trail winding over high vistas. Located 10 miles
south of Florence, on the ocean side of Highway 101. |
Tahkenitch Creek
Trail
3 different loops of 1.5, 2.5, and 4 miles in length.
Trails wind through dunes, marshes, forests, and wildlife.
Located 11 miles south of Florence, with access on the ocean
side of Highway 101. |
Tahkenitch Dunes
Trail
2 miles of trail wind through dunes and forests to the spot
where Tahkenitch Creek reaches the ocean. Located 12.5 miles
south of Florence on the west side of Highway 101. Trailhead
parking area is located in the Tahkenitch Campground. |
Taylor Dunes
Trail
Half-mile trail to vistas of ocean and dunes. Located 7.5
miles south of Florence, Trailhead is at Carter Lake Campground
turnoff on the ocean side of Highway 101. |
Threemile Lake
Trail
7 miles round trip on trail. Halfway through is the highest
point on the trail, with a great downhill slope. Trails winds
down to dunes and ocean. Located 14 miles south of Florence on
the ocean side of Highway 101. |
Valley/China
Creek Trail
13.5 miles north of Florence on the east side of Highway
101. 4 miles round trip on the same trail. Perfect for level,
off-road riding. Picnic area. Photo opportunities. |
Waxmyrtle Trail
1.5-mile trail with great views of ocean and surrounding
areas. Located 7 miles south of Florence. Can be accessed from
the trailhead at Siltcoos Beach Road. |
The Oregon coast is home
to the Coast Horse Trails, 14 miles of looped trails exclusively
for horseback riders and hikers, which wind across Cape Mountain
along the coast. Highlights along the way include a memorial to a
horse lover, a reconstructed Native American hunting shelter, and
majestic creeks and forests.
The trails here are rated
moderately difficult to easy and can be accessed at the Horse
Creek or Dry Lake trailheads. Holding corrals and water for horses
is available at both locations, as well as limited RV and tent
campsites. The Horse Creek Trailhead staging area also features a
ramp for physically challenged riders. National
Recreation Areas
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Alder Dunes
7 miles north of Florence |
Archie Knowles
19 miles east of Florence |
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Cape Perpetua
20 miles north of Florence |
Carter Lake
10 miles south of Florence |
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Driftwood
9 miles south of Florence |
Lagoon
9 miles south of Florence |
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Rock Creek
15 miles north of Florence |
Siltcoos
8 miles south of Florence |
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Sutton Lake
6 miles north of Florence |
Tahkenitch
15 miles south of Florence |
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Tyee
6 miles south of Florence |
Waxmyrtle
9 miles south of Florence |
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Chambe
of
Commerce
Visitor's Center
270 Hwy 101,
Florence, Oregon 97439
(541) 997-3128
Email |
1st Traveler's Choice
