About 4 miles south of town you can tour the 1894 Umpqua River Lighthouse; the lighthouse's museum (200yd away) is free. Opposite is a whale-watching platform, and a nearby nature trail rings freshwater Lake Marie, which is popular for swimming. There's camping in the area.
Umpqua River Lighthouse
Southern Oregon Coast
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
25.46 MILES
Beautiful rehabilitated gardens are the highlight of this unusual state park, 4 miles southwest of Charleston. Louis Simpson, a shipping and lumber…
South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
26.25 MILES
Charleston sits at the mouth of South Slough, a tidal river basin that turns into a vast, muddy estuary full of wildlife. Four miles south of Charleston…
24.45 MILES
Three miles southwest of town on Cape Arago Hwy, this state park is nestled in a small, protected bay that once served as a safe harbor for fishing boats,…
26.6 MILES
About 5 miles south of Charleston at blustery Cape Arago you can scan the horizon for whales, seals and watch ships passing into Coos Bay. The 0.2-mile…
22.85 MILES
This fantastic new little museum/aquarium has lots of interactive displays plus views out over the harbor. Touch a whale on a screen to hear its song, pet…
Darlingtonia State Natural Site
26.94 MILES
Three miles north of downtown Florence on US 101 is Darlingtonia State Natural Site, where a short boardwalk overlooks a surreal bog of insect-eating…
5.92 MILES
This excellent discovery center has exhibits geared to all ages, covering the cultural and geological history of the tidewater area. There are lots of…
20.41 MILES
The Coos Art Museum, in a historic art deco building, provides a hub for the region's art culture. Rotating exhibits from the museum's permanent…
Nearby Southern Oregon Coast attractions
5.92 MILES
This excellent discovery center has exhibits geared to all ages, covering the cultural and geological history of the tidewater area. There are lots of…
2. Coos Historical & Maritime Museum
19.81 MILES
In gigantic and fancy new digs on Coos Bay's waterfront, this museum displays exhibits from Native American culture to maritime shipwrecks, plus mining,…
20.41 MILES
The Coos Art Museum, in a historic art deco building, provides a hub for the region's art culture. Rotating exhibits from the museum's permanent…
21.63 MILES
Located in a 1905 schoolhouse, this museum displays exceptional farming, fishing and logging artifacts, along with pioneer items and Native American…
5. Charleston Marine Life Center
22.85 MILES
This fantastic new little museum/aquarium has lots of interactive displays plus views out over the harbor. Touch a whale on a screen to hear its song, pet…
24.45 MILES
Three miles southwest of town on Cape Arago Hwy, this state park is nestled in a small, protected bay that once served as a safe harbor for fishing boats,…
25.46 MILES
Beautiful rehabilitated gardens are the highlight of this unusual state park, 4 miles southwest of Charleston. Louis Simpson, a shipping and lumber…
8. South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
26.25 MILES
Charleston sits at the mouth of South Slough, a tidal river basin that turns into a vast, muddy estuary full of wildlife. Four miles south of Charleston…