Partner Story
Trail and rail biking, skate nights, and sandy beaches spell fun for all.
Surrounded by picturesque farmland and wooded hills, Coquille is a quaint inland community on the banks of the Coquille River just 20 miles from Bandon and the Coast. It is brimming with homespun charm and small-town adventures for the whole family. Family skate nights, miles of bike trails and easy access to the beach are just a few reasons to visit this friendly South Coast hamlet.
Roller Skate, Catch a Movie or Visit a Historic Lighthouse
One of the first places to check out is the Coquille Community Center, a bustling hub of activity with events to suit all ages. Drop in for weekly roller-skate nights or take in a free movie (and free popcorn!) on the last Saturday of the month. A cornhole league also hosts tournaments on Wednesday evenings. Or get those competitive juices flowing with a pick-up basketball or pickleball game.
The Coquille Public Library (also housed at the Community Center) has one of the best collections on the South Coast; stop in for a rainy-day diversion or free story time. Next door is Coquille’s heated community pool, complete with lazy river, fountain toys and a corkscrew slide. It’s open seasonally and offers daily public swim hours.
Head to the 5th Street Park for a tennis court (pick up the keys and pay a nominal hourly fee at City Hall), dog park and playground. Sanford Heights Park has a refurbished tennis court and playground, and there are pickleball lines on the basketball court (BYO net and gear).
Get your ocean fix 20 miles away at Bullards Beach State Park. Stroll the 4.5 miles of sandy beach and admire the offshore sea stacks, or just build sandcastles. There’s also a trail system suited for bikes or walking. Or visit the nearby historic Coquille River Lighthouse, where signal-room volunteers interpret the history of the area; then head across the river to the Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge for some birding.
Pedal the Rails and Explore Wooded Trails
Hop on your bikes and explore the Hundred Acre Wood trail system, which features a mix of hiking paths and mountain biking trails on varied terrain winding through stands of Oregon myrtlewood, Douglas fir, alder and bigleaf maple. The paths are suitable for everyone from beginning mountain bikers to more advanced riders, with some trails designated solely for bikes and others set aside just for hiking. (Find it at the end of South First Avenue — just follow the signs.)
For something a little different, pedal-power your way through grassy meadows and coastal forests along an inactive stretch of the historic Port of Coos Bay Railroad. In the summer, Joy Rails leads leisurely two-hour tours on specially designed four-seater rail bikes through the picturesque Coquille Valley with a turnaround at the Coquille Valley Wildlife Area. Keep your eyes peeled for hawks, eagles, migratory birds, pond turtles, beavers, river otters and more.
Coquille’s River Walk Park downtown is a short paved trail perfect for a peaceful stroll or bike ride along the Coquille River. Pack a picnic and eat lunch at a table in the shade, with views overlooking the water — and don’t miss the brand-new Coquille mural from local artist Simon Whiteowl facing the river at the intersection of Highway 42 and North Adams Street, visible from the east end of the trail.
Nosh Pizza, Tacos and Deep-Fried Cheesecake
Come dinnertime, follow your nose and the locals to Denny’s Pizza, a family favorite offering traditional pizzas (plus gluten-free and take-and-bake options) along with calzone, burgers and salads. Coquille Broiler has burger baskets, clam chowder and thick, whipped-cream-topped milkshakes and floats.
For casual takeout, Coyote’s Food Truck, an offshoot of the popular Coos Bay-based El Coyote Mexican restaurant, is in Coquille Sunday to Wednesday. The menu includes indulgent quesabirria tacos, seafood burritos, fish tacos and quesadillas. Be sure to save room for churros or deep-fried cheesecake.
For hearty, diner-style breakfasts and a wide assortment of pastries and doughnuts, stop in at Frazier’s Bakery. Or get your caffeine fix at one of many great local coffee vendors, including Coastal Coffee, The Coffee Connection or Hooked, a drive-thru coffee spot creatively housed in an old boat.
Where to Stay
Lodging options in Coquille are fairly limited, but there is a beautiful, family-friendly campground on the river at Penny Sturdivant Park, a former mill site turned public park. Pitch a tent or park your RV for only $10 a night, and take advantage of the horseshoe pits and open fields perfect for a game of tag, as well as a boat ramp, fishing dock and playground.
Tipi on the River is just that: a big canvas tipi outfitted with two comfy queen beds and a gas fire pit to take the chill out of the air. A hot outdoor shower and outhouse lend a sense of adventure, and there are panoramic views over the valley and to the river below. Kids can even visit with the host’s resident alpaca herd. Want something fully indoors? Book a simple, comfy room at the Myrtle Lane Inn, where many guest rooms feature Western-themed art.
Photo at the top by Manuela Durson.
