What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Doerner Fir Trail
The Doerner Fir Trail is the main attraction at the BLM site and an exceptionally beautiful hike. The out-and-back hike is the perfect option for anyone on a time crunch as it takes only around 30 minutes to complete. The trail is most known for its abundance of Doerner firs, which are some of the largest coastal Douglas fir trees in the world. The area is peaceful and shaded, and it offers a fantastic opportunity to experience solitude in nature.
Length: 0.7 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Cape Arago Loop Trail
The Cape Arago Loop Trail is located near Coos Bay and offers a relaxing walk for hikers of all ability levels. The loop trail is a quality destination for trail running and bird-watching as well. If you can, you should try to visit the trail between February and October for the most pleasant conditions. Unfortunately, dogs aren't allowed on the hike, so you'll need to leave the pups at home.
Length: 1.2 miles
Intensity: Easy
Simpson Reef Loop Trail
The Simpson Reef Loop Trail is a somewhat challenging route located near Cape Arago State Park. The loop trail is nice and quiet; you may not see a single person during your visit. You should probably only attempt this trail if you don't mind climbing over a few obstacles as there tend to be downed trees in the area. However, the views are breathtaking and worth the effort of traversing the trail.
Length: 3.2 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Fishing and Boating
If you're looking to do some angling near the Doerner Fir Trail, you'll have a few options within 50 miles of the site. The Middle Fork Brummit Creek flows right through the area, and you may be able to catch a few trout in its waters. Alternatively, the South Fork Coos River is found to the west and offers great opportunities to reel in steelhead trout. The best time to fish the river is between December and March. If you want to do some recreational boating, you can head further west to beautiful Coos Bay. The bay features a marina with a six-lane boat ramp and is popular for all sorts of boating and watersports.
Climbing
There are several popular climbing destinations to the east of the Doerner Fir Trail, near the city of Roseburg, OR and the Umpqua National Forest. One quality option is Rattlesnake, where you'll find several sport climbing routes of varying difficulty. Another great destination is Acker Rock, which is regarded as one of the finest spots for adventure climbing in the state. Most of the routes at Acker Rock are slab-friction adventure climbs ranging in difficulty from 5.5 to 5.10c.
Wildlife Viewing
There are quite a few interesting wildlife species that you may encounter while exploring the Doerner Fir Trail. Large mammals such as black bears, deer, elk, and cougars are known to inhabit the area. You may see some smaller creatures as well, including foxes, raccoons, squirrels, and bats. In terms of bird-watching, visitors will have a good chance of spotting owls, eagles, osprey, waterfowl, and peregrine falcons soaring above the trees.
Picnicking
You most likely won't find any picnic tables or designated picnicking areas around the Doerner Fir Trail, but the area still offers a serene setting to enjoy a snack or lunch. The trail is nice and shaded, so if you can find a clearing to lay out a picnic blanket, it should make for a relaxing experience in nature.
