The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Sixes River is a 31-mile-long river that flows through Oregon's forestland right on the Pacific coast. The majority of the river's length and surrounding area is owned by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), a government organization that maintains the area and that keeps it clean for the wildlife that resides there. The name for the Sixes River is thought to originate from Chinook, a Native American language, and the Chinook jargon word "sikhs," which translates to "friend." In 1856, gold was discovered on the banks of the Sixes River, and the area became a location for many gold mining settlements. Today, visitors to the Sixes River can still pan for gold that was left over after the settlements disbanded.
The Sixes River area owned by the BLM includes the river itself, as well as an organized public campground, picnic area, and day-use area. The most popular activities at Sixes River, aside from gold panning, include swimming, fishing, and picnicking.
The Blacklock Point Trail follows a path through the woods and offers great views of the Pacific Ocean.
Length: 4.2 miles
Intensity: Moderate
The Port Orford Heads Trail is an easy nature walk trail that features a seasonal museum as a stop along the route.
Length: 1.2 miles
Intensity: Easy
This trail follows a path through a wet Douglas fir forest and up to the top of a tall mountain on the edge of the Oregon coast.
Length: 5.6 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Fishing at the Sixes River is extremely popular because the river is always well-stocked with salmon, steelhead, and coastal cutthroat trout. Salmon are best caught in the river between October and December whereas steelhead are best caught between December and March, and trout are best caught during either the spring or fall months, though wild cutthroat trout are available in the river year round.
The tidewater areas of the river are considered the best fishing spots, especially for salmon, and these are found near Cape Blanco State Park. The tidewater areas are easily accessed along Cape Blanco Road, but anglers can also take a boat out on the river for fishing off the banks by using the boat access ramps at either Edson County Park or the Highway 101 bridge.
There are lots of wild animals you can encounter along the Sixes River and even at the Sixes River Campgrounds, including Roosevelt elk, Pacific marten, foothill yellow-legged frog, ringtail, and red tree vole. Birds of the area include black oystercatcher, Caspian tern, fork-tailed storm-petrel, harlequin duck, marbled murrelet, northern spotted owl, peregrine falcon, purple marten, and tufted puffin. Some flowers unique to the area include the western lily, wolf’s evening primrose, and pink sandverbena.
There are day-use and picnic areas along the Sixes River, which is right by the organized Sixes River Campground. The picnic area includes wooden picnic tables on grass underneath pavilions, and the day-use area includes grassy spaces with interpretive signs about the river's history with gold mining. When you choose to picnic in this area, you'll have to pick up your trash and dispose of it properly to help keep the area clean for the wildlife. Visitors are also asked to not feed the wild animals.
Visitors to the Sixes River may pan for gold just as the gold miners from the late 1800s did. Lots of visitors can find gold flakes when panning along the banks of the river with most commonly located in the day-use area by the Sixes River Campground. If you'd like to try your hand at panning in the Sixes River, be sure to bring your own pan, and consider having a container or a bag on hand to collect any gold you may find, no matter how much or how little.
When you're looking for BLM camping but still want access to electricity and water hookups, consider trying RV camping at an RV campground near the Sixes River. One option you have is the Elk River Campground, which has full hookups and free Wi-Fi. You can also check out the Bandon/Port Orford KOA Journey, which has all of the same amenities plus a pool and a hot tub. Bureau of Land Management campgrounds are also available, but you won’t have access to hookups. The campground at Sixes River is available on a first-come, first-served basis for $8 a night.
If you're looking for Bureau of Land Management free camping options, consider staying at the nearby Butler Bar Campground, which is owned and operated by the United States Forest Service, making it a public campground with no fees to stay for up to 14 days at a time. This campground has picnic tables and fire pits at each campsite and a vault toilet facility.
Anyone who plans a visit to the Sixes River BLM area should know that poison oak is common. Poison oak can be identified by glossy leaflets in sets of three and can cause skin rashes that spread easily when touched. However, poison oak rashes can be avoided by wearing long-sleeve shirts, pants, and protective shoes. It may also be beneficial to pack raincoats and umbrellas as the weather near Sixes River tends to be wet with frequent pop-up showers.
When you plan a BLM RV camping trip to the Sixes River Campground or any primitive campground, you may want to pack plenty of your own drinking and washing water for the length of your stay. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
Visitors to the Sixes River will be asked to follow the Leave No Trace policy set in place by the BLM to protect the natural environment in the area. This policy asks you to pack up everything you bring into the area to take back out with you when you leave, including trash and leftover food. You will also be asked to not disturb the wildlife since you are considered a visitor to their natural habitat.
To reach the Sixes River BLM area from Coos Bay, Oregon, begin on US-101 S/Evans Boulevard. Drive for 13.8 miles, and then continue straight on US-101 S for 31 miles. After that, turn left onto Sixes River Road, and travel for 11 miles. Then, the entrance to the Sixes River Campground and day-use area will be on your left.
Ready to visit Sixes River? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
