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Sandy beach
Yes
Hike-in Required
No
Surfing
No
Snorkeling / SCUBA
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Pistol River Beach is a 3.25-mile long stretch of soft sand and dunes along the rugged Southern Oregon Coast and is connected to Myers Creek Beach. Because the entirety of Pistol River Beach is so long, there are three main access points: North, Middle, and South. The north section is most notably marked by two massive sea stacks towering over the beach. Thousands of years of erosion of softer sediments left these pillars of rock standing today. Try to imagine what this coastline might look like after another thousand years of erosion.

When first entering the beach there is a very short walk through some beautiful sand dunes. Those to the south are primarily covered in grasses, and those to the north have more open slopes. Grasses begin to disappear as you walk northward along the beach, leaving only dunes made of sand that are considerably smaller. A stroll far enough northward will take you to Myers Creek Beach. A long stretch of sands lies ahead if you decide to venture southward. Sand dollars are easy to find here in early morning hours at lower tides; just keep your eyes peeled for them slightly buried beneath the sand.

Logistics + Planning

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Sand dunes. Sand dollars.

Cons

Occasionally windy.

Features

Crabbing
Fishing
Bird watching
Wildlife

Location

Nearby Adventures

Southern Oregon Coast + Rogue River, Oregon
Southern Oregon Coast + Rogue River, Oregon

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Southern Oregon Coast + Rogue River, Oregon
Ludlum House Recreation Area
Southern Oregon Coast + Rogue River, Oregon
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A profound concept originally envisioned by governor Oswald West, in 1967 the Oregon legislature ultimately realized his vision of making the entire Oregon Coast forever open to the public in a piece of landmark legislation titled the Oregon Beach Bill, officially making all 363 miles public land. "The People's Coast" is truly a one-of-a-kind coastline, a unique blend of mountains and rocky stacks, towering old growth forests, marine sanctuaries, tide pools and kelp forests, charming towns, historic fishing communities, world-class golfing, breweries, and simply jaw-dropping scenic beaches. We encourage you to plan your next trip at visittheoregoncoast.com or by calling (541) 574-2679.

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