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Pets allowed
Allowed
Elevation Gain
20.00 ft (6.10 m)
Trail type
There-and-back
Distance
2.00 mi (3.22 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Floras Lake is well known as a destination for fans of wind-powered water sports. The lake is only separated from the ocean by a thin strip of dune and beach, so coastal winds frequently whip across this freshwater body. Kiteboarders and sailboarders alike find just the right mix of elements and geography on the lake, and with the option to stay overnight in Boice-Cope County Park, waiting for the right weather is easy.

Floras Lake is also part of the New River Area of Critical Environmental Concern, and the area around the lake is home to some of the same species of rare flora described at the New River Learning Center. Snowy plovers nest nearby, and the lake also receives annual traffic from migrating Aleutian Canada geese. The Floras Lake Trail is an excellent walk through this unique habitat, and it is an easy and rewarding side trip if your itinerary includes several activities. 

Leaving from the small parking area, the trail crosses Floras Creek, said to have formed the New River channel during a high water event in 1890. Once you're on the sand trail that winds around Floras Lake, you’ll have the chance to break off from it the and reach the ocean after only a half mile, or you can continue down to another small beach access trail approximately 0.8 miles from the trailhead. If you are looking for more to explore in the area, the Floras Lake Trail connects with the Oregon Coast Trail as it leads into Floras Lake State Park. Here you can follow the path as it plunges into the thicker coastal canopy. If you decide to return from any of these points along the beach, be very aware of protected snowy plover habitat; many areas along the beach are closed from March 15 through September 15 to protect this endangered species.

Note that areas in the Bandon State Natural AreaNew River Area of Critical Environmental Concern, and around Floras Lake are considered nesting habitat for the western snowy plover; dogs and other specified recreational activities are prohibited in certain areas between March 15 and September 15 to accommodate nesting and encourage the recovery of this threatened species.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Lakeside walk. Beach access. Oregon Coast Trail connection. Family friendly.

Cons

Exposed. Seasonal snowy plover protections may limit beach access.

Trailhead Elevation

20.00 ft (6.10 m)

Features

Bird watching
Wildlife
Big vistas

Location

Nearby Adventures

Southern Oregon Coast + Rogue River, Oregon
Southern Oregon Coast + Rogue River, Oregon

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Comments

05/28/2022
In May 2022, Curry County Parks was charging $5 per vehicle.
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