Millicoma Marsh Trail

The Millicoma Marsh is an area of freshwater ponds and saltwater marsh in Coos Bay. The marsh offers a well-established trail perfect for recreational use of hiking, wildlife viewing, and great views of the bay area.

Getting Here: From US 101 at the south end of Coos Bay, follow the signs toward Allegany. Cross the Isthmus Slough Bridge and stay on 6th Avenue, heading north for about half a mile. Keep an eye out for the binocular symbols—they'll guide you left on D Street, right on 4th Avenue, and right again down the driveway to the field (or park along the street above). You'll find the trailhead on the east side of the track, just north of the gazebo.

What Makes It Special: This gem of a trail winds through both fresh and saltwater marshes, giving you front-row seats to some incredible wildlife viewing. The Millicoma Marsh Trail is your ticket to one of the few remaining salt marshes in the Coos Estuary—a rare treat in itself.

Here's something cool: most of these trails traverse freshwater marshes that nature reclaimed from old dredge disposal sites used by Coos Bay's shipping industry. Since the last filling back in 1985, these wetlands have been quietly transforming into thriving ecosystems. Wetland grasses, rushes, sedges, and cattails have made themselves right at home, while willows, red alders, shore pines, Sitka spruces, madrones, and Douglas-firs keep adding more shelter for the local wildlife.

Speaking of wildlife, shorebirds, waterfowl, and raptors are regular visitors here. If you're observant (and a little patient), you might spot signs of raccoons, black-tailed deer, beavers, bats, and moles going about their business.

The Trail: Start at the scoreboard and head east. After you pass the second sheltered bench—about 0.2 miles in—the trail splits. Take the path to the right and you'll end up at a viewing deck with gorgeous views of the salt marsh and the landscape beyond. Head left instead, and you'll loop through the Port of Coos Bay property, circling back to the athletic field after about a mile. Along the way, interpretive panels share insights about themes like "Wetlands and Human Activities," so you can learn while you wander.

Whether you're a serious birder or just someone who loves a peaceful walk through beautiful country, this trail delivers. And remember—down here on the Southern Oregon Coast, you might just have it all to yourself.