Cape Arago Highway from Coos Bay, Oregon, leads to three state parks that are around two miles apart from each other and connected by both the highway and trails. You first pass through Sunset Bay State Park, with a campground located across from it. Further along the highway is Shore Acres State Park. A lumber baron had a mansion here that fell into disrepair after the depression and the land was purchased by the state of Oregon. Beautiful gardens are maintained, protected by a deer proof fence. At the end of Cape Arago Highway (it does not go any further), is Cape Arago State Park. The first time I drove the highway, I was surprised that it just ended, that you could not get to highway 101 from there. It is a way of protecting the parks. Except for the campground, they are day use only parks.
The tiny white speck in the picture above is Cape Arago Lighthouse.
If you drive the Arago Highway a few miles back towards Coos Bay from Sunset Bay, there is a scenic highway that does take you to the 101. You pass by South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve. There are miles of trails (much of them on planks, like shown above) that let you follow a stream from the top of a mountain to where it reaches a saltmarsh. The wild calla lily above, is seen all along the stream as well as at the Sunset Bay Campground.
Above, formal gardens at Shore Acres State Park.
When I first saw the steller sea lions on Shell Island, off Cape Arago, I thought they were rocks. The next morning, however, they were really active.
The movie clip shows how far away they were.
