On Highway 101 south, cross the green, mile-long McCullough Bridge and enter North Bend. Take a right on Virginia Avenue (follow signs to Charleston, State Parks, and Ocean/Beaches). Follow Virginia Avenue past Pony Village Mall and Safeway. Take a left on Broadway (traffic signal intersection) and make your way into the right-hand lane. After 8-10 blocks, your lane will veer right onto Newmark Avenue and continue past Southwestern Oregon Community College. Stay on Newmark as it merges with Ocean Boulevard at a traffic light. Continue on through the Empire district where the road turns 90 degrees left at a flashing traffic light.

 

This is now Cape Arago Highway and you will follow this for 3-4 miles, then cross the water body of South Slough on a drawbridge and enter the small town of Charleston. After passing several small shops, a green highway sign on your right will point left and read, South Slough Reserve. Turn left here on Seven Devils Road, and wind along it for 4 miles (sign says 5 miles). Watch for a green highway sign: South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, ¼ mile. The main entrance to the South Slough Reserve Visitors' Center will be on your left. A large, wooden sign at the top of the paved driveway reads South Slough Reserve Visitors´ Center.

From Bandon, take Highway 101 north. In 8-10 miles, a green highway sign on your right will point left and read, South Slough Reserve, Charleston, Ocean/Beaches. NOTE: DO NOT take the first Seven Devil’s Road exit 3 miles north of Bandon that says Seven Devil’s State Park.

 

Turn left on West Beaver Hill Road, which will turn into Seven Devils Road in 6 miles. Follow this road for 8 miles, past the south entrance/Hinch road to the Reserve (signed) to the main entrance. Watch for a green highway sign: South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, ¼ mile. A large, wooden sign at the top of the paved driveway reads, South Slough Reserve Visitors´ Center. The driveway is on the right.

From Interstate 5, take Highway 42 through Coquille toward Coos Bay. Just west of Coquille, you will encounter a sign for Charleston. At this sign, make a left hand turn and follow North Bank Lane for approximately 4 miles. You will then encounter another sign for Charleston at an intersection where the Coquille River will be visible on your left.

 

Make this right turn on East Beaver Hill Road and follow the road to the top of a steep hill where it intersects Highway 101. Make a right hand turn onto Highway 101 and follow the road north for one half mile. A green highway sign on your right will point left and read, South Slough Reserve, Charleston, Ocean/Beaches. Turn left on West Beaver Hill Road, which intersects Highway 101, but will turn into Seven Devils Road in a few miles. From the highway, follow this road for 8 miles, past the south entrance to the Reserve (signed) to the main entrance. Watch for a green highway sign: South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, ¼ mile. A large, wooden sign at the top of the paved driveway reads, South Slough Reserve Visitors´ Center. The driveway is on the right.

From Highway 101, follow signs to Charleston/State Parks/Ocean Beaches, turning west onto Commercial Street. Follow this one-way street as it eventually turns into Central Avenue. At the top of a hill, the road turns right and becomes Ocean Boulevard (the majority of traffic will be turning right here without stopping). Follow Ocean Boulevard for several miles past several car dealerships. Take a left at the T intersection onto Newmark Avenue. Continue through the Empire District where the road turns 90 degrees left at a flashing traffic light.

 

This is now Cape Arago Highway and you will follow this for 3-4 miles, then cross the water body of South Slough on a drawbridge and enter the small town of Charleston. After passing several small shops, a green highway sign on your right will point left and read, South Slough Sanctuary. Turn left here on Seven Devils Road, and wind along it for 4 miles (sign says 5 miles). Watch for a green highway sign: South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, ¼ mile. The main entrance to the South Slough Reserve Visitors' Center will be on your left.