Backpacking the Oregon Coast Trail in Winter: A 5-Mile “Safe” Section, Creek Crossings, and a $60 Sleeping Pad Test
- Kristin Jones
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
Winter on the Oregon Coast Trail is always a gamble. High tides, flooded sections, and creek crossings can turn a plan upside down fast. On this trip, I focused on finding a section that could realistically work in winter and gear tested a budget sleeping pad that claimed an R-value of 5 — with mixed results.
This trip took us to the south coast of Oregon, starting in Brookings and eventually hiking a five-mile out-and-back section between Port Orford and Bandon that avoids dangerous tide zones and major river crossings.
Why Backpacking This 5-Mile Section of the Oregon Coast Trail Works in Winter
After closely watching weather and tide windows, I found a stretch of the Oregon Coast Trail that doesn’t involve getting cliffed out by rising tides or crossing large rivers. This section sits between Port Orford and Bandon, starting from Boice-Cope Park and heading North 5 miles to a BLM primitive campsite in the dunes and offers a relatively straightforward out-and-back option when conditions line up.
Exploring the Southern Oregon Coast
We explored several coastal stops before backpacking, including short trails and beaches near Brookings, where recent rain had turned parts of the trail into flowing creeks. Some beach access points required detours, wet feet, and backtracking, but the payoff was quiet beaches, warm temperatures for late December, and active beachcombing.
We found seashells, sand dollars, hermit crabs, agates, and even a washed-up sea star. Despite it being December, temperatures were warm enough at times to sweat.
Camping Logistics Before the Backpack
After driving north through Gold Beach, we skipped Humbug Mountain State Park due to cold, shaded conditions and instead camped at Cape Blanco State Park, campsite B2, which had some sun and coastal exposure.
That night also served as the first real test of a $60 Amazon sleeping pad system.
Gear Testing a $60 Amazon Sleeping Pad (Claimed R-Value 5)
The sleeping pad system consisted of two individual air pads that snap together, forming a shared sleeping surface. Compared to stacking two low-R-value pads, this setup was lighter and more cohesive.
Inflation required manual effort using a squeeze pump or breath (John was a pro at the squeeze pad while I resorted to manually blowing it up with my mouth). The pads included built-in pillows and adjustable firmness, allowing each side to be inflated differently.
Initial impressions:
Comfortable width
Pads stayed together without sliding
Felt chilly at first but warmed slightly with layers in the truck
Backpacking the Oregon Coast Trail from Boice-Cope Campground to the BLM Primitive Site
We parked at Boice-Cope Park at Flora Lake, reserved a campsite for about $21, and left the truck there while backpacking. From the campground, the route crossed by the Flora Lake Lagoon, which had become part of the trail itself.
There was no alternate route, so John used a dry suit with booties, while I crossed in sandals. The water reached just below my knees — cold, but manageable.
Once past the lagoon, the route opened to the beach. Firm sand made walking easier farther from the water, though beach hiking quickly taxed the legs. After five miles, we reached the New River ACEC BLM primitive campsite, tucked between the river and the ocean.
Primitive BLM Campsite Experience
The campsite wasn’t the most beautiful itself, but it was flat, functional, and protected enough to set up a tent. With sunset approaching, we got the tent up quickly, blocked wind with driftwood, and settled in.
Dinner was simple — homemade white bread with meat and cheese — followed by hot cocoa and watching the last light fade. Despite wind overnight, conditions stayed manageable.
Morning Frost, Tides, and Final Verdict
By morning, frozen condensation coated the tent — unexpected given forecasted temperatures in the 40s. Tide lines showed a 7.9-foot high tide, but the section remained passable as I had hoped based on my research.
As for the new sleeping pad, it became clear the R-value claim did not hold up. Cold air could be felt underneath us all night long and we didn't sleep well overnight. The verdict: usable, but not truly R-5.
After extensive research on winter Oregon Coast Trail conditions, this 10-mile round-trip stands out as a starter-friendly all year round (pending weather conditions) beach backpacking route with no dangerous tide traps or cliffs.
The route from offers a unique experience: river on one side, ocean on the other, and a realistic winter option when conditions align.
We retraced our steps, crossed the lagoon again, and completed just over five miles back to the truck — wet feet included.
Final Thoughts
This trip reinforced that winter backpacking on the Oregon Coast Trail is possible with planning, flexibility, and realistic expectations. While the budget sleeping pad fell short of its insulation claims, the route itself delivered exactly what we hoped for.
Thanks for joining us along the south Oregon coast — and there’s still hope we’ll spot a gray whale on the way north.
Resources
Location: Port Orford to Bandon (Section 8 of the OCT).
Gear Tested: EvaJoy Sleeping Pad (Claimed R-Value: 5 and now $69.99): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F93SWRHV?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
Logistics: Always check tide charts for Flora Creek. https://www.tide-forecast.com/locations/Port-Orford-Oregon/tides/latest
Camping:
Cape Blanco Camping:
Boice-Cope Park Camping:
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