Arizona Beach curves two-thirds mile along the Pacific Ocean at Arizona Beach State Recreation Site, eight miles south of Port Orford off Highway 101 at milepost 313 in southern Curry County. This sheltered sandy crescent sits between rocky headlands providing protection from prevailing northwest winds, creating warmer temperatures than surrounding beaches and inspiring the desert state namesake. Mussel Creek and Myrtle Creek flow through the 79-acre park east of Highway 101, creating freshwater wetlands attracting Roosevelt elk, black-tailed deer, waterfowl, and bald eagles before emptying into the Pacific. Oregon State Parks acquired the property in 1963, developing camping and day-use facilities that serve as base camp for exploring Oregon's Wild Rivers Coast between Port Orford and Gold Beach. The park sits beneath looming coastal bluffs rising 200 feet above the beach, providing scenic hiking trails with panoramic ocean views across rocky headlands to Humbug Mountain six miles north.
Swimming at Arizona Beach proves dangerous despite sheltered conditions due to Pacific surf, rip currents, cold water temperatures averaging 50-55 degrees year-round, and complete absence of lifeguard services. Sneaker waves strike without warning even during calm-appearing conditions. Wading in shallow areas requires constant vigilance. Tide pool exploration during low tide reveals purple sea stars, green anemones, hermit crabs, and sea urchins in rocky areas flanking the sandy beach. Beachcombing produces agates, jaspers, driftwood, and shells deposited by winter storms. Kite surfing thrives in consistent ocean winds. Peregrine falcons, brown pelicans, pigeon guillemots, and pelagric cormorants nest on offshore rocks and headland cliffs. Arizona Pond east of Highway 101 provides youth-only fishing for stocked rainbow trout, requiring juvenile fishing licenses for ages 14-17. Scenic hiking trails wind through coastal forests and climb bluffs offering ocean panoramas. Roosevelt elk graze wetlands during dawn and dusk.
Access Arizona Beach State Recreation Site via Highway 101 at 37000 Highway 101, eight miles south of Port Orford. The park charges five dollars per vehicle day-use fee, with Oregon State Parks annual passes accepted. The campground accommodates 10 RV sites for vehicles under 30 feet or 20 tent sites, charging 22 dollars per night with reservations available at 800-551-6949 through ReserveAmerica. Vault toilets serve the park year-round. Water is available on-site. Showers operate at Humbug Mountain State Park six miles north. Direct beach access trails descend from parking areas. The park operates dawn to dusk for day-use, with overnight camping permitted in designated sites. Cell phone service proves reliable with most carriers. Curry General Hospital operates 18 miles south in Gold Beach at 94220 Fourth Street providing emergency services.
Dining concentrates in Port Orford eight miles north and Gold Beach 18 miles south along Highway 101. Crazy Norwegians at 259 6th Street in Port Orford serves fish and chips, shrimp and chips, burgers, and clam chowder Friday through Monday using fresh Pacific catches. Redfish Restaurant offers French and Modern American cuisine with Port Orford Bay views. Port Hole Cafe in Gold Beach prepares breakfast and lunch featuring omelets, pancakes, burgers, and sandwiches. Anna's by the Sea serves seafood including grilled salmon, fish and chips, and clam chowder with ocean views. Spinner's Seafood Steak and Chophouse cooks prime rib, ribeye steaks, halibut, and Dungeness crab in an upscale atmosphere. The Greedy Gull prepares fish tacos, burgers, and seafood baskets. Arizona Beach's combination of sheltered sandy beach, elk-viewing wetlands, youth fishing pond, and camping facilities creates southern Oregon's premier family beach destination, offering warmer temperatures than exposed coastal beaches while maintaining access to dramatic Wild Rivers Coast scenery.
