L.L. Stub Stewart State Park

We needed a place to stay overnight and this campground was convenient but we probably won't stay here again. State parks in Oregon have a 25% camping surcharge for out of state campers. This looks like a trend as more states are charging different rates for non-residents but 25% is kind of high.

The campground has two loops with 78 full hookup sites and 12 walk in tent sites. The sites are fairly close together and many have minimal privacy. Amenities include restrooms, showers, a playground, disc golf and access to the Banks-Vernonia State Trail.

We camped in one of the accessible sites which was next to a restroom. Other than that it wasn't much different than the other sites. All of the sites have gravel parking pads and gravel around the table and fire pit. Many of the tables have extended tops.  Campground  45.73962, -123.1917

Munson Falls Trail

Munson Creek Falls drops 319' and is the tallest waterfall in the Oregon coastal mountain range. Trails to waterfalls are usually not very accessible but this trail is only a quarter mile long and according to the park website  "accessible for all ages and every level of hiking enthusiast".  We decided to give it a try even though we were skeptical because that wording does not mean wheelchair accessible.

The trail starts out as hard packed dirt path surrounded by old growth forest. Great trail but we soon hit a few of major problems. The first was a section with large rocks in the trail and a drop off on one side making for very precarious navigation. After that the trail went steeply uphill. Coming back down was scary. At the top of the hill we found a set of steps going down to the creek level. We did get a far off view of the waterfall but one or both of us could have been seriously injured just to get that view so I strongly recommend skipping this trail if you have any mobility issues.

The parking lot is small. We fit but there isn't much room to turn around. The road to the parking lot is about 1.5 miles long. It starts paved, then turns to gravel, and finally dirt. It's okay for any vehicle but the dirt section may have huge potholes. Trail  45.36573, -123.77375

Nestucca Bay NWR

The refuge was established in 1991 specifically to protect the wintering grounds of Aleutian Cackling and Dusky Canada Geese but with additional land acquisitions it now protects migratory songbirds, raptors, deer, salmon, and many other species.

A short paved road provides access to an overlook with a view of land leased to farmers. Grazing cattle and harvesting hay keeps the grass low which is ideal for geese. The road past the overlook is dirt - one lane with pullouts.

The dirt road ends at a parking lot where a paved trail climbs to views of the ocean. mountain ranges, and river valley.

A 2.2 mile nature trail is a continuation of the road which meets a foot trail to form a loop.

The paved trail is designated as accessible but it is very steep. Even with assistance it's a difficult trail. The railing of the overlook platform has a lowered section that is still a bit too high.

The nature trail is not accessible. The first section has large gravel which eventually becomes packed down and easier to roll on but we went only about 1/3 of a mile before turning around because of the rolling terrain.

Vehicles over 25' are not permitted in the refuge. The dirt road is too narrow for vehicles to pass each other and the pullouts are not frequent. Luckily we did not meet anyone.The parking lots are large enough for short RVs. Refuge  45.16223, -123.95133

North Lincoln County Historical Museum

In 1855 4,000 Native Americans from more than 20 different tribes were moved to a reservation on Oregon coastal land that was considered inaccessible and unsuitable for farming. Six years later, after lobbying by people wishing to settle on the land, some of it was opened to non-natives. Eventually all of it was taken away and in 1954 tribal status was terminated by the federal government, however, in 1977 the tribe was reinstated and they are buying back sections of their land.

The first floor of the museum tells the stories of individual Native Americans and settlers that came to farm, fish, and log along the coast. The isolation and difficulty in getting supplies is a common theme running through their stories. Life became much easier when the Salmon River Highway opened in 1930.

The highway brought tourism and economic development to the area. The second floor exhibits cover some of the attractions that no longer exist such as Pixie Gardens, a small amusement park, and the Redhead Roundup. There is also an exhibit about the role local citizens played in WWII and a hands-on room for kids.

The museum is accessible with an elevator to the second floor. A sidewalk goes to the entrance which is on the side of the building.

There's a free parking lot with long spaces on the opposite side of 50th Street. RVs will also fit in the on- street parking. Museum  44.92867, -124.01614

Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area

There's a lot to see and do at Yaquina Head - Oregon's tallest lighthouse, an interpretive center, huge colonies of seabirds nesting on the rocky islands, tidal pools, and five short trails.

We arrived late in the afternoon so we got to see very little. We missed visiting the interpretive center or attempting some of the easier trails but as we were approaching the overlook an eagle flew over the rocks where the colonies of birds roost and hundreds of them took flight - quite a sight. We'll be back!

The interpretive center is accessible. The walkway around the light house is accessible. The Cobble Beach overlook is accessible. The railing blocks the view but the beach can be seen from the walkway. Request a gate opener from the Entrance Station or Interpretive Center to access the lower parking lot and overlook at Quarry Cove. None of the trails are designated as accessible but we would try both the Lighthouse Trail and the Quarry Cove Trail. The lighthouse which is sometimes opened for tours is not accessible. The tidal pools are not accessible.

The interpretive center lot is large enough for any RV. One section of the lighthouse lot has 35' long spaces with two marked for RVs. The road to the Quarry Cove trail is winding and steep. Use caution. The parking lot has long RV spaces. Yaquina Head  44.67541, -124.07414

 

Siuslaw Pioneer Museum

Tourism supplies a large portion of the jobs today but for years logging, commercial fishing, and agriculture were the economic mainstays of Florence, Oregon. The museum has hundreds of neatly arranged items representing the original industries and demonstrating changes made over the years. Other displays include furniture, household items, and toys treasured by pioneering families. Photographs of the girls chosen to be Queen Rhododendra at the annual Rhododendron Festival fill another exhibit.

The museum has a ramp to the rear entrance. A lift operated by museum personnel accesses the second floor. Most of the displays are accessible but some areas are tight and the room with the photos of the rhododendron queens has very narrow aisles and is not accessible.

The parking lot is too small for large RVs but street parking is available.

Florence, Oregon Rhododendron Festival

This is the big event of the year and we arrived just in time for it even though we had no idea it was happening. :D  The four days of the festival included a car show; rhododendron show and judging; arts and crafts shows; parades; a chicken barbecue (sold out by noon so we missed it) and pancake breakfasts; and a carnival. Florence is a small city hemmed in by mountains and the Siuslaw River so when the population doubles during the festival parking can be a problem especially in the old section of the city.

We went to the car show which was a lot of fun with a mix of years, makes, and types of restoration. The car show was held at the middle school parking lot. The high school is just a few blocks north so that's where a lot of people park. The sidewalks and curb cuts are in good condition.

We also went to the rhododendron show. Not very big or exciting - just a room full of rhododendron blossoms with award ribbons - but rhododendron fans were loving it. The show is held in the Florence Events Center which has a large parking lot but people were parking in it to go to the carnival so we had to park in the gravel lot across the street. It was difficult to get to the event center from that lot so parking in the Safeway lot one block east might work better.

We went to the carnival to check out the rides and get my favorite unhealthy fair food, a greasy, sugary funnel cake, but all they had were elephant ears and the line was too long.  :(  This isn't a large carnival because everything must fit in a 500'x 200' parking lot but they still managed to cram in over a dozen rides, three or four food booths, and several game booths. The parking lot has concrete curbs between the rows so we kept running into dead ends. Since carnival rides are not accessible, I do not recommend going. Parking is very limited and people were parking fairly far away.

For us the best event was the Grand Floral Parade on Sunday. We were surprised at how many floats were in the parade and a little disappointed that the floats weren't covered with rhododendrons. We went into town early to get a good parking spot along the parade route. The St Vincent De Paul Thrift Store was okay with people parking in their lot. It was good for us because it's elevated above the street so we had a good view.

 

Kids carrying banners got a free day pass for the fair rides. These two were disagreeing about how fast they should have been walking.

We stayed at the Three River Casino. Players Club members get one night free then earn 50 points to stay for free. Four night limit.  Festival  43.96715, -124.10408