There are two major sights to see while visiting Reedsport, Oregon. The first recommended stop in the Reedsport area is the magnificent sight of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Stretching fifty miles from Florence to Coos Bay, the Oregon Dunes are under the constant care of the U.S. Forestry Service by order of the U.S. Congress in 1972. Whether visitors are looking to hike, photograph, or explore the area using off-road vehicles, the Oregon Dunes have more to offer than could possibly be described in words.

The Dunes themselves, made of more than just sand, are actually a carefully nature-constructed combination of sand, water, ocean debris, driftwood, and many native plants. They extend nearly 2.5 miles inland, and the tallest dunes reach a towering 500 feet above sea level. The Oregon Dunes Overlook, approximately nine miles south of Florence heading into Reedsport, provides the best view of the dunes. This is a day-use fee area and provides a great place to explore the dunes, as well as the plants and animals that have made the dunes their home.

No matter what visitors may be interested in, the thirty lakes, fourteen hiking trails, thirteen campgrounds, eleven beach parking areas, nine day use areas, and three off-road riding areas provide a location for everyone's interest. With so much to offer, the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area has something for everyone to enjoy.

The second recommended stop is Umpqua Lighthouse, located next to Winchester Bay just south of Reedsport off of Highway 101. The original Umpqua River Light, the first built in Oregon, was lit on October 10, 1857 at the north spit of the river. Unfortunately, it fell victim to treacherous weather just six years later, falling into the sea during a storm and leaving the area again unprotected for approaching ships. The current lighthouse stands the farthest back from the coastline at 67 feet tall and on a hill 165 feet above sea level. Construction on this second lighthouse began in 1890, and it was first illuminated on New Year's Eve, 1894. It's often referred to as the sister lighthouse to Heceta Head, north of Florence as both lighthouses were constructed using the same set of plans.

The Umpqua River Light is the last in Oregon to utilize an unusual, octagonal, red and white First Order lens, that sends beams of red and white light nearly 20 miles out to sea. In November 1983, the wheel mechanism broke causing the lens to stop rotating. When the Coast Guard attempted to replace the old lens with an airpost beacon on the top of the tower, local residents quickly drew attention to the history and special colors of the lens, leading the Coast Guard to repair and restore the original lens instead of replacing it. Today, particularly after dark and before dawn, the gorgeous reflection and refraction of the light extending out from this unique lens creates a spectacular rainbow of colors around the area surrounding the lighthouse.

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