A Journey Beyond Coastal Highway 101
While most travelers stick to the coastline, a different South Coast awaits those who venture inland. Swap the coast and Highway 101 for winding river valleys and forested mountain roads. Whether you have a quick afternoon or a full weekend to spare, these four quaint, lesser-known towns are worth the detour.
Agness: Nature’s Hideaway
Tucked deep within the Wild Rogue Wilderness, Agness feels like an outpost at the edge of the world—in the best possible way. Whether you swim, kayak, or just sit on the bank skipping stones, the Rogue River is the lifeblood of the community. Agness is also a great base camp for hiking or tackling gnarly mountain biking trails like Pine Grove Mountain Trail and the Lower Rogue River Trail.
And, you won’t go hungry. Singing Springs Resort and Cougar Lane Lodge offer hearty lunches of BBQ, sandwiches, fish tacos, and salads, as well as cold, locally-brewed beer. They also offer overnight lodging, making it a place where you can truly hide away.
Powers: Gateway to the Wild
Nestled in the wild Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, Powers is known as the “Gateway to the Siskiyous.” If you’re driving from Agness, stop by Coquille River Falls or Elk Creek Falls for a quick, rewarding hike. For a more intensive, breathtaking trek, ramble up Hanging Rock and Panther Ridge Trail.
In Powers, history buffs can explore the Historic Wagner House and nearby railroad museum. If you prefer life on two wheels, the scenic Powers-Glendale Bike Trail runs through town, and Powers hosts the scenic Tour de Fronds every June. For a more relaxed afternoon, Powers County Park offers shaded picnic spots and a stocked fishing pond. Time your visit for July 4th and catch White Cedar Days, a local tradition featuring a lively “logging rodeo.” When hunger strikes, grab some local flavor at the Powers Tavern Cafe Bar or The Code.
Myrtle Point: Where Heritage Meets Harvest
Once a bustling logging and agricultural hub, Myrtle Point sits at the confluence of the Coquille River system in the foothills of the coastal mountains. On your way from Powers, stop at the Coquille Myrtle Grove State Natural Site to channel your inner Huck Finn. This secluded swimming hole offers a shaded myrtlewood grove and sandy beach—ideal for grabbing an inner tube and floating along with the lazy current.
In town, don’t miss the Coos County Logging Museum. Housed in a unique domed building, it offers a fascinating look at the industry that built the Pacific Northwest. If you’re visiting in July, the Coos County Fair & Rodeo provides that quintessential country fair vibe.
For eats, enjoy classic comfort food at Railroad Cafe, Spruce Street Bar & Grill, or Kozy Kitchen. Craving something different? Spice it up at La Herradura. For a truly memorable lunch, take a detour to Remote and picnic inside the historic Sandy Creek Covered Bridge. Overnight, rest your head at Myrtle Trees Motel or Myrtle Glen Farm.
Coquille: Historic Charm on the Riverbank
Coquille charms visitors with its Victorian homes and historic downtown. Along with Myrtle Point, Coquille features several buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Explore the valley’s rich heritage at the Coquille Valley Museum with exhibits on logging, dairy farming, and coal mining. Outdoors, join Winnie the Pooh in Hundred Acre Wood, relax at Penny Sturdivant Park, or go birding at the Coquille Valley Wildlife Area. In the evening, catch local talent at Sawdust Theatre.
Peckish? Grab fresh pastries from Frazier’s Bakery or a light bite at The Coffee Connection. For casual dining, Denny’s Pizza is a local staple. Try Colonial Mexican Restaurant for international fare, or Coyote’s Food Truck for street-style eats. Spend the night in a Bigfoot themed room at Myrtle Lane Inn.
Take the Road Less Traveled
Whether you crave the nostalgia of a county fair in Myrtle Point, the quiet history of Coquille, the mountain solitude of Powers, or the river-wild flavors of Agness, these towns offer a richness that turns a simple getaway into a genuine journey.
If You Decide to Take the Scenic Route
To truly soak in the beauty of these four towns, travel 120 miles on the backroads between Gold Beach and Bandon. The stretch between Gold Beach and Myrtle Point is aptly named the Rogue-Coquille Scenic Byway, and it’s spectacular!
A Word of Caution: Download your maps before you go, as cell service can be nonexistent in the more remote areas. Be mindful that logging trucks frequently use these roads. Also, the 10-mile section between Agness and Powers is gravel with steep, crooked, and narrow, single-lane stretches. We don’t recommend this route for large motorhomes or winter travel.
Gold Beach to Agness
The journey begins just south of the Isaac Lee Patterson Bridge in Gold Beach. Head east on Jerry’s Flat Road (SR-595), which follows the Rogue River and becomes Agness Road (NF-33). After about 27.5 miles, Cougar Lane Lodge will be on your left. Continue 3.1 miles, then turn left onto Agness Illahe Road (SR-375) and drive another 3 miles to Agness.
Agness to Powers
Return to NF-33 and continue north toward Powers. This section, part of the Trans-America Trail, is narrow, winding, and partly gravel, so expect to drive slowly and enjoy the view. The road parallels the South Fork Coquille River, passing several US Forest Service and Oregon State Parks along the way.
To visit Coquille River Falls, drive 16.2 miles on NF-33 and turn right onto NF-3348. Drive 1.6 miles to the trailhead. Afterward, return to NF-33 and head northeast. After 10.4 miles, you’ll cross Elk Creek and find a small parking area with facilities and the Elk Creek Falls Trailhead.
As you continue to Powers, NF-33 transitions to County Road 219 (South Powers Road).
Powers to Myrtle Point, Coquille & Bandon
Leaving Powers, the road follows the Coquille River and becomes Highway 542. Look for the Coquille Myrtle Grove State Natural Site 8 miles out. For the detour to the Sandy Creek Covered Bridge in Remote, take Highway 42E from the junction of Highway 542 for 14 miles.
To reach Myrtle Point and Coquille, turn onto Highway 42W. Past Coquille, the road winds through the Coquille River Valley before intersecting Highway 101 in Bandon.
The journey begins just south of the Isaac Lee Patterson Bridge in Gold Beach. Head east on Jerry’s Flat Road (SR-595), which follows the Rogue River and becomes Agness Road (NF-33). After about 27.5 miles, Cougar Lane Lodge will be on your left. Continue 3.1 miles, then turn left onto Agness Illahe Road (SR-375) and drive another 3 miles to Agness.
Return to NF-33 and continue north toward Powers. This section, part of the Trans-America Trail, is narrow, winding, and partly gravel, so expect to drive slowly and enjoy the view. The road parallels the South Fork Coquille River, passing several US Forest Service and Oregon State Parks along the way.
To visit Coquille River Falls, drive 16.2 miles on NF-33 and turn right onto NF-3348. Drive 1.6 miles to the trailhead. Afterward, return to NF-33 and head northeast. After 10.4 miles, you’ll cross Elk Creek and find a small parking area with facilities and the Elk Creek Falls Trailhead.
As you continue to Powers, NF-33 transitions to County Road 219 (South Powers Road).
Leaving Powers, the road follows the Coquille River and becomes Highway 542. Look for the Coquille Myrtle Grove State Natural Site 8 miles out. For the detour to the Sandy Creek Covered Bridge in Remote, take Highway 42E from the junction of Highway 542 for 14 miles.
To reach Myrtle Point and Coquille, turn onto Highway 42W. Past Coquille, the road winds through the Coquille River Valley before intersecting Highway 101 in Bandon.
Leaving Powers, the road follows the Coquille River and becomes Highway 542. Look for the Coquille Myrtle Grove State Natural Site 8 miles out. For the detour to the Sandy Creek Covered Bridge in Remote, take Highway 42E from the junction of Highway 542 for 14 miles.
To reach Myrtle Point and Coquille, turn onto Highway 42W. Past Coquille, the road winds through the Coquille River Valley before intersecting Highway 101 in Bandon.
**Header image: Pioneer House in Myrtle Point by Manuela Durson
