What's Blooming in Shore Acres State Park This Summer?

You’ve heard it before, but it’s worth repeating: Shore Acres State Park IS the Crown Jewel of the Oregon State Park System! The 745-acre park , located just 13 miles southwest of Coos Bay, offers visitors both unsurpassed views of the Pacific Ocean, along with an immaculate “garden for all seasons.”

No matter what season you visit Shore Acres State Park, visitors will have a different experience every time. Here are some comments made by recent visitors and members of the media:

“A walk in Shore Acres Park is like stepping into a magical Disney movie, or maybe a Monet painting - truly an escape.” -Willamette Week

“There are some places you just need to see to believe, and Shore Acres Park is one of them - here’s what to do there.” The Travel

“Rarely do manmade and natural beauty coexist as seamlessly as they do at Shore Acres State Park. Visit this Oregon park that successfully combines formal gardens with rugged cliffs and breathtaking views.” - Expedia

WHAT’S IN BLOOM

Thanks to the help of an army of Friends of Shore Acres volunteers, there is literally something blooming in Shore Acres State Park every day of the year. The garden is beautiful any time of the year (especially when the Holiday Lights are on in November & December), but the glorious spring and summer blooms put on a dazzling show of their own. Hundreds of rhododendrons , azaleas, daffodils, along with thousands of tulips, bloom in the early to late spring. May through September boasts lush summer foliage with over 5,000 flowering annuals and perennials from all over the world, along with gorgeous rose bushes and dahlias in the late summer/early fall.

Here come the roses! Beginning in June, blooming roses will put on a gorgeous display all summer. In late summer, visitors will be treated to stunning Dahlias that bloom readily in the Pacific Northwest. Evergreen shrubs and trees from around the world, like the Monterey Pine, round out the gardens and bloom year round.

For a schedule of what’s in bloom, download this Garden Map – Best Times at Shore Acres .

EVENTS

• The Friends of Shore Acres is pleased to announce the return of the annual Father’s Day Rose Sunday on June 19, 2022 from 2pm-7pm. The Southwest Rose Society will have beautiful rose specimens on display in the garden house at the Shore Acres Gardens. Experts will be on hand to answer questions on rose growing. The Friends of Shore Acres will provide coffee, punch and cookies. Come on out and enjoy all the beautiful roses. Click here for more details.
• Oregon State Parks is sponsoring three outdoor classical music concerts at Shore Acres State Park. The dates are August 23rd, 24th and 25th 2022, and will start at 6PM. Early access tickets are available now, and can be found using the link in the main article link. These require a donation of at least $100 to create an early access entry code. 100% of ticket sales from this concert will benefit the Wild Rivers Land Trust, whose 2.3 million acre service area stretches along the magnificent southern Oregon coast! August 23rd concert link , August 24th concert link , August 25th concert link

HISTORY

Once the luxurious private estate of timber and shipping tycoon, Louis J. Simpson , Shore Acres has evolved into a beloved local treasure featuring a “garden for all seasons” for anyone to enjoy. The original plantings of Shore Acres were designed to take advantage of our mild climate. They featured exotic trees, shrubs, and flowering plants brought in from around the world by Simpson. The grounds contained five acres of formal gardens, including a Japanese-style garden built around a 100-foot lily pond to complement Mr. Simpson’s elaborate home. In 1942, Simpson’s beloved Shore Acres was purchased by the state of Oregon for use as a public park.

Be sure to add a visit to Shore Acres State Park to your bucket list to experience this jewel of a park for yourself! Whether you are on the hunt for awe-inspiring landscapes, thrilling outdoor activities, prime shopping, fine dining, special events, or an evening of entertainment, you will find it here. Visit our Adventures page and our Trip Ideas page to see all there is to do on Oregon’s Adventure Coast.

Be sure to book your accommodations in Coos Bay, North Bend, or Charleston early. For more information, please contact the Coos Bay – North Bend Visitor & Convention Bureau .

More Info

Shore Acres State Park is located on the Cape Arago Highway, 13 miles southwest of Coos Bay/North Bend and U. S. Highway 101. The park is open every day from 8 a.m. to dusk. Please check posted times at the park entrance for exact closing times. A nominal daily vehicle parking fee is charged. Annual day-use permits are available for purchase. Now available for either 12 or 24-month periods. Your camping receipt from Sunset Bay State Park or any other state park campground is accepted as a daily permit for those days registered. Display the receipt on the driver’s side of your dashboard when visiting Shore Acres State Park.