Carl G Washburne State Park - 14 miles N of Florence. $12-$19. Oregon beach access Camping year-round, picnicking, showers, dumping station, fishing, hiking, beach access, wildlife viewing. 52 full hookups, maximum site 45', hiker/biker camp.

Jessie M. Honeyman State Park - 3 miles S of Florence.$13-$19. Camping year-round (reservations available).  238 campsites, 75 electrical sites and 68 trailer spaces with full utility hookups (dumping station).  Hot showers, public telephones store and restaurant.  Swimming, fishing, boating, water skiing, hiking at Cleawox and Woahink Lakes.  Both Cleawox and Woahink Lake day-use areas provide boat launching ramps and swimming beaches

Miller Park - Large community park with covered picnic facility, large playground, basket ball courts, baseball fields and lots of green grass.  Bike and walking trail adjacent to the park.  Take Hwy 101 to 18th.

Darlingtonia State Park - 5 miles N Of Florence Day Use Only. Picnicking, hiking, exhibit information. Botanical area with unusual carnivorous plants.

Devil's Elbow State Park - 13 miles N of Florence $3.00 Day Use Area on the beach with picnicking, hiking, tide pools, and tiny sea caves.  Location of Heceta Head Lighthouse and Keeper's home, most photographed site on the Oregon Coast.

M.O. Ponsler State Park - 16 miles N of Florence, Day Use Only $3.00 Beach access, picnicking, fishing, beach access. No restrooms.

North Jetty - No fee access to the beach.  Fish off the jetty or surf fish, beachcombing, kite flying and just good fun.  Take Hwy 101 to 35th, turn on Rhododendron Drive, follow the signs.

Carl G Washburne State Park 

Alder Dune USFS

Sutton Lake USFS

Carter Lake USFS

Driftwood II OHV USFS

Honeyman

Lagoon Campground USFS

Waxmyrtle USFS 

Beaches
Beach treasures abound on the Oregon Coast at any of the beach accesses: north and south jetties, Heceta Beach, Sutton Creek, Siltcoos dunes access and several miles north at Devil’s Elbow, Washburne Park and Muriel Ponsler Wayside or the gravel bar at Big Creek.  Head to the beach during low tides and minus tides, especially when they come early in the morning.  You will have beat the other treasure hunters and as an extra bonus, the wind is often calmest in the morning.   Many interesting shells can also be found in tidepools and just underneath a layer of sand.

Surf Fishing
The most common catch is perch and striped bass and can be caught year round. Fish from shore or the jetties using a medium to light spinning or bait casting setup. Sand shrimp works well for surf fishing, but you might want to try clam necks or tube worms as well. Rig with weight on bottom of line and two hooks about 18 inches apart and 18 inches above weight. Cast this rig out and wait. Yachats, about 10 miles north, is one of the few places where sea-run smelt come into spawn on the basalt beaches between March and September. 

Clamming
Bring your shovel and your pail and go hunting for clams. A $6.50 license is required. Non-residents may purchase a $9.00 3 day license, or a $16.50 annual license.  You must also follow the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations.  Any license dealer will provide you with a free booklet of the requirements. At low tide, dig six to sixteen inches under the tidal flats in the estuary area north and south of the North Fork bridge on highway 126. Look for the oblong holes left where the clams have retracted their necks and dig carefully beside the hole to avoid breaking their shell. Each clammer must dig his own and have his own bucket.

Crabbing
Crabbing is an easy, relaxing way to pass a few hours and meet new friends on the crab docks.  You can rent the necessary items at many local bait shops.  You'll need crab rings, crab bait and a crab gauge to be sure your crab is a minimum of 5 ¾ inches in measure across the back and front of the points. Only male crabs may be kept and all females (with short, wide sternums) must be thrown back, as well as soft-shelled crabs. The best time for crabbing is an hour before or after high tide. Crabbing starts in the early spring and is best in August and September.  Crab at the downtown dock or at the south jetty.  If you just can't wait for your ring to fill...try a crab dinner at the many local restaurants.

Lakes

Siltcoos Lake- 4 miles S. of Florence  Fabulous fishing with many fishing cabins located around the lake.   Fish for bass, trout, perch, crappie, catfish year round.  Or try your hand during steelhead and salmon season.

Woahink Lake - 3 miles S. of Florence. Beautiful lake with lovely picnicking area.  Boating, wind sailing, water skiing, bird watching, swimming, and fishing.   During blackberry season, wade around the lake and "eat as you go"!

Hiking/Biking

Sutton Trail Station
Access from Sutton or Alder Dune Campgrounds. Several miles north of Florence. 6 mi. of trails to dunes, beaches and vistas.

Sutton Creek Trail
3 mi. north of Florence on the west side of Hwy 101. At least 5 mi. of assorted (mostly flat) trails.

Kentucky Falls Trail  The trail is two miles, one way, along Kentucky Creek, and travels through some luscious old-growth forest to three spectacular waterfalls, each over 80 feet high. A rather difficult hike with steep and narrow sections.  Watch children closely. Check with the local ranger district for a map and directions to this trail, it is somewhat difficult to find, but the trail, falls and beautiful drive are worth it.  541-268-4473

Mapleton Hill Pioneer Trail    Once known as the North Fork Trail, this trail offers a colorful history, making it eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Interpretive signs along the 3500-foot easy to moderate hike. One mile east of Florence on Hwy 126 to North Fork Road (5070), then 14.3 miles northeast and make a right turn at Minerva. 541-268-4473

Waxmyrtle Trail 7  miles south of Florence. Access from trailhead at Siltcoos Beach Road. 1.5 miles long of ocean & estuary views.

Taylor Dunes Trail Trailhead at Carter Lake Campground turnoff, west side of Hwy 101 7.5 miles south of Florence 1/2 mile trail to great views of dunes & ocean

Threemile Lake Trail Located 14 miles south of Florence on the west side of the highway, this very scenic trail is about a seven mile round trip and considered of "Medium" difficulty. Hike across dunes for a good summer swim.

Tahkenitch Creek Trail Access on west side of Hwy 101 11 miles south of Florence 3 separate loops of 1.5, 2.5 & 4 miles Through dunes, forests, marshes, meadows, creek & wildlife

Carter Dunes Trail
Access as above (Taylor Dunes). 1.5 mi. trail. Leads through abundant wildlife to the beach.